How far can 2.5mm cable to supply a light and socket be run and still be effective?

Answer 1

Answer for countries in Europe and other world areas running a 50 Hz power supply service.In the interest of addressing the specific query posed, a quick lookup of the charts dealing with line losses associated with a 100 ft run of paired wire and a nominal current of 4 amps, (920 watts at 230 volts) and the losses were just 1.6 volts; (Or 0.8 volts @ 2amps & 4 volts @ 10 amps.)

So, IF the intended lamp was to be incandescent, such losses should be truly negligible.

By asking this question you are probably not quite ready to take on this particular task. The correct answer to your question will depend on the exact location of the cable.

Really, don't do this one yourself. Electricity is far too dangerous to handle if you have not been trained how to do this work. If you use the wrong size and type of cable for the job and/or put just one wire in the wrong place, you risk being killed by electrocution or you could even start a house fire.

How to do this job depends entirely on the Wiring Codes or Regulations for the locality (Town/County/State) and on the exact location of the cable and socket outlets you wish to install. If they are to be situated anywhere that is subject to water splashes, water spray, dampness or humidity - such as in any room supplied with running water pipes, like a kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, shower room, etc., or anywhere outside a building in the open air, such as along an outside wall or in a pool-side area - in many places nowadays it is actually illegal to attempt to do this kind of work unless you are already a licensed electrician.

If you don't want to go to your local library or bookstore - to find and read some books about electrical wiring and appliances and how to install them safely, and to find out about your local Wiring Codes and Regulations - then the best advice anyone should give to you is to call a licensed electrician either to do the job for you or to advise you what you may be allowed to do yourself.

If you get any other answer here, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing, and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or even their life.

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A maximum distance of 109 feet will limit the voltage drop to 3% with a 2.5mm copper conductor delivering a full 30 amps at 240 volts.

If you just wanted to light a 100 watt (at .43 amps) light bulb you could go a maximum distance of 7646 feet with a voltage drop to 3% on a 2.5mm copper conductor at 230 volts

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.