Industry opinion Higher wire act
British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is a recognised leader in product certifi cation services for electrical cables. Here,
DR JEREMY HODGE of BASEC discusses some of the key issues concerning the cable industry – and what to look out for
I
t has become apparent that pockets of poor professional practice in cable manufacturing, specifi cation and procurement have emerged in many areas of the market. This is a major concern for the entire industry, from manufacturer through
installer to end user, who may not even be aware of the signifi cant health and safety threat it poses or the legal and commercial ramifi cations for their organisation. Therefore, it is important for clients, specifi ers, electrical engineers and health and safety practitioners to be aware of, and to use, the available cable certifi cations to ensure peace of mind in commercial and industrial applications. Here, we consider a number of troubling issues in the cable industry that BASEC, the ECA and a number of other trade organisations and standards authorities across the UK are working to eradicate to ensure a safe and secure marketplace.
Copper prices and quality issues With considerable volatility in copper prices, shooting up 10 per cent since September, manufacturers may be tempted to save cost by making cables as close as they can to the minimum requirements. While not necessarily becoming a signifi cant safety problem, if a cable is light on copper, it might indicate a manufacturer’s willingness to cut corners in other areas. What else might they be neglecting? Although copper is the major cost component of most cables, other components might be cut back on, and in those cases there could be a safety or performance issue if insuffi cient –or the wrong – material is used. BASEC’s ongoing surveillance testing of cable checks whether this is happening. If it is found, BASEC ensures the manufacturer puts it right. If a cable is not approved, then no one is checking.
Self-declaring conformity While the cable industry has accepted safety and performance standards, the fact that anyone can self-declare a cable to be in conformity with product standards or the essential requirements of legislation, without any scrutiny, introduces uncertainty and risk for contractors and users. Regulators may not be willing to act on performance or general quality issues unless safety is also compromised.
If a cable is light on copper, it might indicate a manufacturer’s willingness to cut corners in other areas
Mis-specifi cation BASEC continually comes across cases where designers or contractors have inadequately specifi ed cable. This has, from time to time, resulted in cases where non-conforming product has been substituted, leading to expensive re-work when the problem comes to light. Designers and contractors should remember to quote the relevant British or European standard number, to ensure that the supplier has no ‘wriggle room’, and so that a fully compliant product is delivered. The supplier may make an additional small margin by supplying an inferior product, and some of this saving may be shared with the contractor, but the value is dwarfed by the potential cost and reputational damage of re- work such as stripping out, penalty clauses, and loss of customer confi dence. Make sure the correct standard number and specifi cation goes on the purchase order, and make sure ‘BASEC approved’ is added, for additional peace of mind.
About the author
Dr Jeremy Hodge has been the chief executive of the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) for more than seven years. Prior to joining BASEC, Jeremy was with the Building Research Establishment and the Loss Prevention Council.
Manufacturers – raising the bar BASEC expects all cable made by a manufacturer to be of consistently good quality and to conform with the relevant standards. The fi rst samples a manufacturer submits to BASEC for initial type testing are usually acceptable (but not always), but what stops quality degrading after a company has its certifi cate? BASEC re-audits all manufacturers every few months, and more frequently on a risk basis as necessary. BASEC takes up to 200 samples a year from each factory, re-tests them and applies sanctions on the manufacturer if quality dips. How does BASEC know that samples are representative and not ‘golden samples’? As well as taking a full range of samples, BASEC is now visiting all factories making BASEC- approved cable, on a completely unannounced basis, to select samples and inspect activities. Samples are also being taken direct from the market. This combination of approaches provides BASEC with samples of cable that are actually being sold and installed, giving contractors more confi dence in the whole process. ■ For more information, visit
www.basec.org.uk, email
technical@basec.org.uk, or contact BASEC directly on 01908 267300.
November 2012 ECA Today 23
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