Ervital Fire Resistant Cables

The Importance of Fire Resistant Cables in Our Life and Property Safety

Fire resistant cables are the ones that carry energy and signals to the emergency safety circuits that must work during a fire for the safety of people in public buildings, the protection of valuable goods and devices and facilitating fire response.

Halogen free flame retardant cables which is safe against to fire, due to their nature, can delay the flame spread during a fire that will occur in the building, do not emit toxic and corrosive gas, and their smoke density is low. However, it cannot be used in electrical circuits (emergency safety circuits) where insulation continuity is required. The cables of these circuits should have the characteristics of fire performance cables, and at the same time, maintain the continuity of the electricity transmission for a certain period of time during the fire.

To summarize; fire resistant cables are able to carry energy and signal under fire for the minimum periods specified in standards and regulations.

As Erse Kablo, we are manufacturing Ervital branded fire resistant cables with wide range according to related standards.

The Common Fire Performance Terms Used In Fire Resistant Cables

FE180: Cables are simulated in order to maintain their function (ensuring circuit integrity) under rated voltage, at 750 °C, for at least the period of 180 minutes according to IEC 60331-21/23/25.

PH120: According to EN 50200 (IEC 60331-2) and IEC 60331-1 standard, cables are simulated under rated voltage, 830 °C flame and 25 kg impact, in order to maintain circuit integrity for at least the specified periods that 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes are commonly preferred. (PH30, PH60, PH120, PH180)

E90: According to DIN 4102-12 standard, it is the testing of the system in a closed room where the flame reaching up to 1000 °C is applied with all installation components (trays, cable ducts, clips...) with which the cables come into contact, such as inside buildings, in order to obtain an almost accurate simulation. In other words, it is functional integrity.

The numbers after the term E express the time in minutes. Periods of 30, 60 and 90 minutes are commonly preferred. (E30, E60, E90)

The Features of Fire Resistant Cables

Fire Resistant Cables used in public buildings, especially in electrical installations in case of fire, should meet the following characteristics additionally:
1. Limitation of flame propagation (EN 60332-1-2, EN 60332-3-21/22/23/24/25)
2. Limitation of smoke spread (EN 61034-2)
3. Limiting the release of harmful gases (EN 60754-1 & 2)
4. Heat release and smoke generation measurements and their limitation (EN 50399)

The Raw Materials Used in Fire Resistant Cable Production

In case of fire, the sheath materials of the cables are one of the most important layers because they are the first contact point with flame and temperature. Likewise, under-sheath protection layers should also have similar properties. Especially in the last 20 years, it has been aimed to meet the conditions by modifying the plastic materials with various additives or with additional layers in cables where fire performance is important. Such polymeric materials are called Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) compounds.

However, for the continuity of the cable function during fire, it is important that the insulation materials do not melt and dissolve under the flame, prevent short circuit by remaining on the metal conductor and maintain the electrical transmission.

Today, in addition to the use of customized silicone rubbers for the insulation of fire resistant cables, natural or artificial mica-based tapes can be wrapped on the conductor to ensure function continuity during fire. Taping with mica is the most typical solution, it allows the use of different insulation materials permitted by the standards since the fire resistance is provided by the tape. Silicone rubber, on the other hand, is currently the most commonly used solution, as it simplifies and speeds installation thanks to easy peeling and lack of tape.

Additionally, various windings made of high temperature flame resistant materials are used to prevent the insulations from being exposed to direct flame. For this purpose, mica, glass fiber or their versions coated with some polymers may be preferred.

Erse, as a fire resistant cable manufacturer, generally produces the cables up to 50 mm² as silicone rubber insulation. Cross-sections 50 mm² and above are produced with mica tape wrapping.

The Points to Consider in Fire Resistant Cable Selection

Based on the features of fire resistant cables, the flame spread, smoke, toxic gas and heat spreading properties of fire resistant cables should be designed and manufactured at the level required by the standards in such a way that they do not affect human health. In order to guarantee these criteria, project companies should make sure that the product is certified by an internationally accredited certification body when selecting the cable.
Ervital fire resistant cables are certified by national and international organizations such as TSE, VDE, LPCB...

Cooperation with independent, expert and accredited test organizations is the first assurance for every user and market. Subsequently, it periodically conducts both market and company audits to ensures its up-to-dateness and continuity. Although the certificate is a very important indicator for project and contracting companies, it must be supported by the laboratory infrastructure of the manufacturers. Erse makes the difference among fire resistant cable manufacturers with its laboratory resources.

As a leading manufacturer of fire performance cables, we are manufacturing according to international designs and standards as IEC 60331-21/23/25, EN 50200 (IEC 60331-2), DIN 4102-12.

We are at your disposal for your demands; you could have price from our export sales team and our technical team would be pleased to answer your questions about technical points.