Industry News

What are the functions of low smoke halogen free flame retardant thhn cables

Published by Author: Joey Wan June 04,2022

Electrical cables of all kinds surround us in our daily lives, especially in buildings such as homes, workplaces, shopping malls, and hospitals. thhn stranded or solid cables are important system components whose quality and performance are directly related to our safety.


In fact, approximately 51,000 electrical fires occur each year worldwide. Statistics show that electrical distribution system failures are the third leading cause of fire outbreaks.

 

Electrical cables with lower safety standards can create arcs that start fires and can also be responsible for the rapid spread of fires, opaque smoke and toxic gases.

 

Low smoke zero halogen thhn stranded cable with low smoke emission. The high density of opaque smoke affects visibility and therefore hinders evacuation procedures. In addition, inhalation of toxic gases found in smoke is the leading cause of death, accounting for a staggering 44% of all deaths, source: UK Department for Communities and Local Government, 2005.

 

In Europe, gas and smoke emissions during fires cause 30,000 victims each year. Controlling the opaque smoke produced in a fire situation is a must as it facilitates the safe evacuation of building occupants. To ensure the safety of the end user, the thhn cable should successfully pass various smoke density tests.

 

The smoke density test for LSZH thhn cables evaluates the level of light transmission from one side of the chamber to the other when the cable is under fire conditions. The transmitted light should not be lower than the level specified by the standard.

The recommended performance requirements for flame retardant low smoke halogen free thhn cables are compliance with the minimum transmittance values ​​detailed in the standard. Some cables require better performance and specify a minimum transmittance of 70%. When specifying the desired level for your project, you should always specify the highest level of protection, depending on the equipment and location of use.

 

flame retardant thhn cable
 

Flame retardant thhn cables are an important factor in limiting fire outbreaks as they are designed to limit the spread of fires by reducing the rate of burning.

The flame retardancy of JZD thhn cables conforming to IEC 60332-1 is the most popular and authorized basic level of flame retardancy. Selecting the appropriate performance level depends on the end use environment of the thhn cable.


Fire performance evaluation
 

thhn cables have different properties under fire conditions and there are different types of fire tests. Generally speaking, they can be divided into:

1. fire only
2. fire and water spray
3. fire and mechanical loads
4. Fire, water spray and mechanical loads

 

Each test can evaluate a different cable category required, with test durations of 30, 60 or 120 minutes (combination test) and 180 minutes (fire only). Currently, the regions that are more concerned about thhn flammability standards are the Philippines and Australia, which have set a good example for the rest of the world with a very clear fire classification framework. Welcome to contact us JZD Cable for real-time in-stock of thhn stranded or solid wire, including aluminum conductor and copper conductor and we will offer you a better price.

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