Cable check
and safety threat it poses or the legal ramifi cations for the organisation or individual. The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is an
independent cable testing and approval organisation that rigorously tests electrical cables, data and signal cables, and ancillary products to meet British, European and international standards, through detailed examination of manufacturers’ production processes and controls, and regular product testing. BASEC conducts a full range of tests on each cable type, including resistance, electrical breakdown, endurance, impact and abrasion, chemical and fi re tests as specifi ed in the cable standard and in all the subsidiary standards referred to.
Be vigilant, or pay the price for not checking your cables. Giuliano Digilio, head of Technical Services at the ECA and a member of the BASEC board, in conjunction with Dr Jeremy Hodge, chief executive of BASEC, outlines the issues surrounding non- compliant cable that every electrical contractor needs to be aware of
T 32
he UK market for electrical cables and systems has an approximate value of £2bn. It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of cable product in the cable systems supply chain is unsafe, non-approved
or counterfeit*, resulting in a major concern for the entire industry – from manufacturer through to installer and end user, who may not even be aware of the signifi cant health
ECA Today March 2012
Public warnings In 2010, BASEC issued a public warning about certain armoured cables carrying the Kaydour brand. These products, which were multi-core PV-sheathed XLPE insulated steel wire armoured cables in various sizes, claimed to comply with BS 5467. BASEC’s independent testing indicated a number of serious faults, including excessive conductor resistance and excessive armour resistance. This meant that the conductors were up to two standard sizes smaller than that marked on the cables, which could result in overloading and overheating in use. The armour resistance may also have resulted in ineffective earthing.
About the author
Giuliano Digilio Giuliano Digilio is the head of ECA Technical Services. He has extensive experience in the electrical and electronic engineering building services industry, and sits on numerous technical committees for the ECA in the UK and Europe.
In the same year, another public warning was issued regarding selected ‘arctic grade’ cables. This cable, usually coloured yellow or blue, is commonly used on construction sites and other outdoor applications for temporary power supplies, and in some indoor applications such as cold stores. When independently tested by BASEC, a number of problems with the cable were highlighted. The sheathing and insulation of certain cables were found
to disintegrate when subjected to a cold bending test. This problem could result in a fi re, short circuit or an electric shock. The products in question also exhibited poor conductor resistance and other faults. Identifi cation of problem cable may be diffi cult, as many brands of such cable are sold, often with no brand name or mark of origin.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72