The characteristics of these cables can be classified into three varieties:
1- Flame retardant cables
This type of cable must positively pass the test established by the UNE-EN 60332-1 and IEC 60335-1 standard.
This consists of evaluating the resistance offered by a sample of the cable before a source of fire or punctual flame. A flame is applied directly to the cable in a vertical position and it must be capable of limiting the spread of fire, reaching self-extinguishing.
With this property, it prevents the origin of a fire caused by a small focus, normally caused by short circuits or external causes that contact the cable. The entire range of cables manufactured by Top Cable complies with this test.
2- High-security cables that do not propagate fire
In our country, the use of halogen-free cables is mandatory in public places and other European countries and the rest of the globe apply similar regulations, such as the European CPR.
In this type of cable, the resistance they offer to a fire outside the cable is evaluated. It is made by recreating a cable conduit mounted in a vertical position and with forced ventilation. A high-power flame is applied to these and, once the source of the fire has been eliminated, the cable must be able to limit the spread of the fire until it self-extinguishes.
With these cables, the conduits are prevented from causing a fire to spread to other areas, slowing down the effect of the fire on the installation.
Tests are also carried out to obtain a low emission of corrosive gases, according to the UNE-EN 50267 and IEC 60754 standards. Thus, the release of gases emitted during the combustion of the cables during the fire is measured. Next, the gases emitted by the non-metallic parts of the cables are analyzed to confirm that they do not emit halogen gases and to determine the degree of acidity of the gases.
This reduces the toxicity of the gases released in a fire.
On the other hand, it is also tested that the smoke emission is reduced, according to UNE-EN 61034 and IEC 61034 standards. Here the opacity of the smoke emitted is analyzed. A flame is applied to a section of cables located inside a 27 m3 cabin and the luminous transmittance of the smoke released is measured, which must offer 90% visibility, facilitating visibility in the event of a fire.
3- Fire resistant high-security cables
These cables must pass tests based on the UNE-EN 50200, UNE-EN 50363, and IEC 60331 standards.
During this test, the intrinsic fire resistance of cables that must remain in operation during a fire is measured. A high-power flame of more than 800ºC is applied to them while they are under tension and, to comply, they must provide continuous service without incident. By passing this test, service maintenance is ensured during and after a prolonged fire, something especially useful in safety circuits.
As you can see, depending on the needs that we have, we can choose the cable that best reacts to the possible effects of a flame or fire and we can find all of them in the Top Cable catalog.
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