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In today&#;s fast-paced world, ensuring the safety and reliability of wiring infrastructure is paramount. With the increasing focus on fire safety and environmental sustainability, LSZH (Low-Smoke-Zero-Halogen) cables have emerged as a superior alternative to traditional cables. This article will explore what LSZH cables are, their characteristics, their applications, and why you should consider FS for your LSZH cable needs.
LSZH stands for low-smoke zero-halogen and describes a non-halogenated cable jacket material and flame retardant. Unlike PVC cables and those made of other compounds, which produce vast amounts of dense black smoke, toxic fumes, and acid gas when exposed to fire exposure, LSZH cables produce deficient levels of smoke, poisonous fumes, and no acid gases. Non-halogenated means that it is free of materials such as Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I), or Astatine (At), all of which are reported to be capable of being transformed into the toxic and corrosive matter during combustion.
Builders initially limited the use of LSZH cable to environments where groups of people gathered indoors. But over the years, officials have updated building codes to include LSZH cable in many new construction projects.
A few decades ago, safety professionals began analyzing how chemical compounds in wire and cable reacted to combustion. Unfortunately, several fires in the UK during the s produced high death tolls due to the caustic chemicals and dense smoke emitted by PVC (polyvinyl chloride) jacketing in the wiring. These tragedies brought more awareness, increased research, and product development around LSZH wire capabilities from the cable industry.
The adoption of LSZH has occurred at a slower rate in the U.S. than in Europe. Since LSZH cable costs more than PVC and other commonly used jacketing materials, builders have been known to limit its use in the U.S. to venues where they deem its use would be practical and necessary. But with safety becoming more important, as well as using environmentally friendly cable alternatives, LSZH cable is continuing to rise in usage.
As you now know, LSZH is an acronym for low-smoke zero-halogen. But what exactly makes LSZH cable such a good choice for safety measures?
LSZH cable is made with a special thermoplastic jacket. The use of thermoplastic or thermosetting compounds in the jacket is what makes this type of compound exceptionally flame resistant.
The thermoplastic jacket undergoes an endothermic chemical reaction when there is a fire. By absorbing the heat energy and releasing steam when the compound reaches a certain temperature, it allows the cables to be protected.
The steam dissolves into the toxic and flammable gasses that are formed by the fire and form a char layer to protect the cable. It reduces the total amount of material that could potentially allow for combustion and prevents harmful particles from being released into the air.
This allows LSZH cable to emit far less smoke than other materials. As a result, the smoke is thin and not harmful to humans, as opposed to burning PVC, which, when exposed to moisture, produces a corrosive chemical compound. It&#;s a highly lethal combination that can destroy lungs and other soft respiratory tissue when inhaled.
While it is good to know the benefits, the technical specifications of LSZH cables are just as important to determine the usability of LSZH cable in your project. Builders and contractors must consider whether an LSZH solution meets their project specifications like gauge size, voltage, operating temperature, and approved materials.
To help determine if LSZH should be used, use these technical features of LSZH cables:
&#; Better tensile strength (greater than 1.2Kgf / mm2)
&#; Improved resistance to weathering (~30° C to 105° C)
&#; Enhanced softness (80-90 hardness)
&#; Non-shifting (no moving morphic)
&#; High-volume resistivity (greater than Ω / cm3)
&#; Responds well to high voltages (up to 15 kV)
&#; Good elasticity and adhesion
Increasingly, builders are finding codes that require LSZH cable. Once specified, the choices of what type of LSZH cabling fits a particular job come into play. It is clear to see the numerous benefits (technical or other) of LSZH cable.
Yet, no industry standard is in place that dictates when the extra cost of LSZH cable is warranted. Developers sometimes have difficulty determining when LSZH wire is justified or if the project is better suited for traditional wiring.
At ZGSM Wire Harness, our team of cable experts understands the nuances involved when deciding whether or not selecting LSZH makes sense for your project. We&#;re here to assist you in making those decisions when it&#;s not clear if you need to use LSZH wire or another cable option that we supply.
Low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) cables and wires are highly beneficial in terms of safety and environmental impact. When subjected to fire, these cables are engineered to emit very little smoke and no halogen gas. LSZH cable offer performance and safety benefits; here are the main benefits.
Reduce Fire Propagation:LSZH cables are less likely to propagate fire than cables with traditional insulation materials. This feature can help contain fires in smaller areas, potentially reducing damage.
Environmental Impact:LSZH cables have a lower environmental impact during their lifecycle and in the event of a fire. They do not release halogens, which can be harmful to the environment.
Corrosion Resistance: LSZH wires minimize this risk, as they do not emit corrosive gases when exposed to fire. This property protects critical infrastructure and sensitive equipment in commercial buildings, data centers, and industrial environments.
Enhanced Safety for Firefighters and Rescue Teams:The reduced smoke and absence of toxic halogen gases make it safer for firefighters and rescue teams to navigate buildings and perform their duties during fire emergencies.
Long-term Health Benefits:Using low smoke cable significantly reduces the potential health risks associated with these substances, contributing to a healthier living and working environment.
Understanding the characteristics of LSZH cables highlights their importance, but knowing where to use them is equally crucial. LSZH cables are specifically designed for environments where safety and reliability are paramount. Here are some key applications where LSZH cables can make a significant difference:
High-density Indoor Areas
In high-density indoor areas, a fire can quickly produce a large amount of smoke and toxic gases, leading to suffocation, chaos, and panic, posing a severe threat to life safety. Using LSZH cables can significantly reduce the emission of smoke and toxic gases, improving the efficiency of evacuation and rescue operations. For example, in schools, shopping malls, airports, and conference centers, installing LSZH cables, like FS&#;s LSZH Cat6a cable, can significantly enhance fire safety, protecting people&#;s lives and health.
Poorly Ventilated Areas
In poorly ventilated areas such as basements, tunnels, and subway stations, a fire can cause a rapid accumulation of smoke and toxic gases, obstructing vision and making breathing difficult. LSZH cables can minimize smoke production and reduce the release of poisonous gases during a fire, improving air quality at the fire scene. For instance, installing LSZH cables in underground parking lots, mines, and cable trenches helps mitigate fire risks and ensure personnel safety.
Areas With Limited or No Escape Routes
Due to restricted evacuation paths, a fire can pose a severe life-threatening danger in areas with limited or no escape routes, such as waterborne vessels and submarines. LSZH cables can significantly reduce smoke and toxic gas emissions in these scenarios, extending the time available for escape and rescue. For example, oil tankers, submarines, and other ships equipped with LSZH cables can enhance safety during fires, protecting the lives of crew and passengers.
Electronics-dense Areas
In electronics-dense areas like data centers and server rooms, a fire can cause irreversible damage to equipment and result in critical data loss. LSZH cables can reduce the release of corrosive gases during a fire, protecting electronic equipment from damage and ensuring data security. For instance, banks&#; data centers and corporate server rooms that use Halogen-free cables can minimize equipment damage during a fire, ensuring business continuity.
Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables are designed with safety in mind. They are used in applications where smoke emissions and toxic fumes pose a significant risk to human life and sensitive equipment in the event of a fire. Several factors must be considered when selecting the appropriate LSZH cable for your application.
Electrical Requirements: It is essential to verify that the cable you use matches the requirements of your application. It means that the cable should be able to handle the amount of electricity needed without causing problems. You should check the voltage rating, current-carrying capacity, and cable resistance. It will work appropriately for your needs.
Mechanical and Physical Properties: Consider the mechanical stresses the cable might face, such as bending, twisting, or pulling during installation and its operational life. The cable&#;s outer sheath should be durable enough to withstand the installation environment and potential mechanical stresses.
Certifications and Standards: the cable meets the appropriate safety and performance standards. Check for cables that have certifications and international-specific standards. The BS, CE, and IEC certifications cover various technical aspects, including fire resistance, smoke emission, and halogen content.
Cable Design: The construction of the cable (e.g., solid vs. stranded conductors, insulation thickness) can affect its flexibility, strength, and electrical properties. Choose a design that meets the needs of your application, considering the ease of installation.
Vendor Reputation: Purchase from reputable manufacturers or suppliers known for quality products and compliance with safety standards. Reliable vendors can provide technical support, documentation, and certification evidence for their cables.
Understanding Low Smoke and Zero halogen wire can significantly help the project responsibility or procurement buyer. Because open flames and toxic gases are produced during fires, LSZH cables offer significant safety and environmental benefits by reducing the release of poisons and gases. Therefore, LSZH cables prevent wire and cable fires from occurring and safeguard human lives.
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You are planning to purchase some network cables for your new Ethernet setup or home theater to run through, and you already know exactly the category of network cables and the lengths you need. So, you head to the first page of a site or go offline to buy. However, you encounter a new problem: how to choose the right type of cable jacket? PVC, PE, or LSZH? If you are not clear about the differences and pros and cons of these cable jackets, you might end up buying cables that are unsuitable for your needs or waste valuable time deciding which type to choose.
FS can provide customers with a whole range of cables for all purposes with different cable jackets, and these network cable products are all available for immediate delivery. The differences in cable jacket types determine their suitability for different scenarios. To choose the most suitable cables for your application, let's first understand these three types of cable jackets that FS provides.
PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, a widely used plastic material. PVC is chosen for its durability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of processing. It has excellent electrical insulating properties and provides adequate protection against physical damage and environmental factors.
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The features of PVC cable jackets that make them widely used typically include:
Superior Mechanical Performance: PVC offers high tensile strength, bending strength, and impact resistance, as well as good abrasion and weather resistance.
Excellent Chemical Stability: PVC cable jacket resists most organic solvents, acids, and bases. It remains stable in environments with pH values ranging from 0 to 14. This characteristic enables PVC cables to perform well in chemically harsh environments, such as sewage treatment plants and chemical laboratories, significantly broadening their applications.
Low Cost: The mature production process and abundant raw material supply for PVC result in relatively low costs. This makes PVC-jacketed cables competitively priced, meeting the demands of the mass market.
While PVC is low-cost and flexible, it has potential drawbacks. During a fire, this material can release dense smoke and hazardous gases, such as hydrogen chloride.
This issue can be particularly severe if toxic smoke and gases are released in areas that can quickly spread to other parts of a building. Thus, the National Electrical Code (NEC) categorizes PVC cable jackets into three groups according to their fire rating levels: CM, CMR, and CMP. These levels indicate where the cables can be installed to ensure contractors and homeowners use the appropriate outer jacket type for the installation area.
The network cables with PVC outer jackets provided by FS have all passed the UL standards and comply with the fire ratings specified by the NEC. Below is a detailed introduction to these three different fire ratings. You can choose the correct fire rating based on the actual application scenario of your network cables:
Category Fire Rating Description Applications PVC CM Communications Multipurpose Cables marked with CM are mainly used for Ethernet and communication applications. They have passed the "vertical tray flame test," meaning they typically do not propagate flames beyond eight feet. Ideal for home use; they can be installed in walls or ceilings without additional fire protection measures. PVC CMR Communications Multipurpose Riser Cables marked with CMR are for buildings with multiple stories. They prevent fires from spreading between floors and are more resistant to fire than the CM cable. Suitable for multi-story buildings where cables must run vertically between floors; they cannot be used in air ducts. PVC CMP Communications Multipurpose Plenum Cables marked with CMR are designed for "plenum" areas in buildings; They restrict the spread of fire, do not emit toxic fumes when burning and will not combust. Ideal for large commercial buildings, hospitals, and schools; they can also be used where CM and CMR cables are applicable.PE stands for Polyethylene, a durable and waterproof plastic material commonly used for outdoor cable jackets. PE cable jackets can withstand harsh weather conditions and UV radiation.
PE has excellent moisture and weather resistance, good electrical properties over a wide temperature range, and is abrasion-resistant. Thus, PE is the standard jacket material for outdoor network cables. FS's outdoor bulk Ethernet cables are made of this material, which enables them to withstand harsh outdoor environments effectively. Moreover, they can be directly buried underground without the need for conduit.
However, one drawback of PE cable jackets is that they do not self-extinguish when burned. When heated to their melting point, they may soften and drip. If the dripping falls onto other combustible objects, it could cause a larger fire. Therefore, using network cables with PE jackets in places sensitive to fire risks is not recommended.
LSZH stands for "Low Smoke Zero Halogen," describing two specific properties of this jacket material. "Low smoke" refers to the reduced amount of smoke produced when the material burns, and "zero halogen" indicates that no halogenated compounds are used in manufacture.
Currently, cables with LSZH jackets are primarily used in Europe. Under the framework of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) in , Europe has created new cable fire protection classes, requiring a reassessment of building fire safety. If you are planning to purchase cables with LSZH jackets, you may need the following four different fire resistance classes:
Bca: This means that cables with this type of jacket have the highest fire resistance performance and are mainly suitable for bedroom environments, prisons, hotels, accommodation buildings larger than 500 square meters, conference venues, etc.
Cca: This class is commonly used for LSZH cables and is suitable for non-bedroom environments such as factories, offices, classrooms, sports venues, shopping areas, etc.
Dca: If cables are used in bundles for applications related to personal safety, they must meet the Dca fire resistance class.
Eca: Unlike the other three fire resistance classes tested according to the EN standard, Eca is tested according to the EN -1-2 standard and represents the basic requirement for fire resistance. Cables cannot be installed in bundles.
FS currently offers Cat6 and Cat6a network patch cables with LSZH jackets. FS network cables have obtained B2ca, Dca, Eca, and Fca certifications. We can provide a Declaration of Conformity/Performance that states the cables' Euroclass grading, and we add the CE marking to each product.
In fire incidents, the primary danger is not the fire itself but the smoke and gases produced during combustion. When LSZH cables burn, they do not produce toxic gases and emit very little acidic gas, which can reduce harm to personnel and equipment. Furthermore, LSZH cables are less likely to catch fire during an incident and can help prevent the spread of flames and the escalation of the disaster. Therefore, cables with LSZH jackets are typically required in high-safety environments, such as airports, military bases, commercial centers, and other densely populated areas. However, while LSZH offers the best safety, its cost is the highest. The large-scale application of LSZH cables may pose a challenge for individuals or small businesses with limited funds.
Q1: How do I know if I need CMP?
A: CMP jackets are made from low-smoke PVC, or fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP), so CMP cable burns clean, meaning it does not give off toxic fumes and can self-extinguish. On the other hand, PVC releases thick, poisonous smoke when burned. If your cabling needs to pass through air circulation spaces, such as the gaps between drop ceilings and floors, you need CMP cables to meet fire safety requirements.
Q2: Is LSZH the same as Plenum?
A: Low-smoke zero-halogen is not the same as a plenum. LSZH cables are free from halogenic elements (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine), which are very common in PVC material but are toxic when burned.
Q3: What is the difference between outdoor and direct burial outer jackets?
A: Regarding jackets, outdoor and direct burial are similar, but the direct burial cables are filled with gel to prevent water from leaking into the cable.
Q4: Can CMP cables be used in riser places suitable for CMR cables, and vice versa?
A: Due to their high fire resistance rating and low smoke emission characteristics, CMP cables can be used in CMR scenarios. However, they are not recommended for use in CMP scenarios, as they may not meet the strict requirements for smoke and toxic gas emissions in air circulation environments.
Q5: Do cable jacket materials affect cable performance?
A: The cable jacket's material mainly affects the cable's durability and safety, not the network performance itself. However, using unsuitable jacket material in a harsh environment can damage the cable, thus impacting network performance.
FS offers a range of high-quality cable jackets to meet various application needs. Whether you need economical PVC cables, durable PE outdoor cables, or the safest LSZH cables, FS has the right product for you. By choosing FS cables, you get high-quality, reliable, and safety-compliant products that ensure smooth and stable network installation and long-term performance.
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