INDUSTRY FOCUS CABLES & CONNECTORS
regulations can be harder from afar. Small changes to the raw materials
going into the cable can have a huge bearing on the final product. For example, small reductions in the concentration of copper content in the conductor can have a major impact on the performance of the finished product, or the water used to mix with the pellets for the sheathing and insulation materials, might have elevated levels of lead as a result of emissions from an upstream factory. All this would be manageable enough though, if substandard, non-compliant cable could be comprehensively prevented from entering the UK supply chain. Sadly, that is not always enforced to the degree it should be, meaning in most cases it is not immediately apparent that you have bought and installed non-compliant cable. It might be years before problems come to light – as the recent revelation that 11 million metres of non-compliant low-voltage cable made it onto the UK market in 2010, with only seven million withdrawn. The low copper content of the cables makes them a significant potential fire risk with little way to tell where the cable in question ended up. With the sheer scale of construction projects active across the UK, cabling is entwined in home, community and business infrastructures. As such, it is vital to understand the effect that using a non-compliant cable can have on the long-term safety of a project.
HOLES IN THE NET It is not enough to assume it is up to standard just because there has not been a reported problem with that product or supplier before. Good manufacturers conduct extensive tests on the cables before releasing them to market. In addition, third-party accreditation markings provide valuable reassurance by indicating the compliance of a tested length, but it is just against a sample rather than at a batch-by-batch or cable drum level. There remains too an issue with fraudulent cables available for sale – deliberate substandard copies made to
CHECK FOR MARKINGS Looking at the cable itself is a basic and easy check that is all too often overlooked. It is not fool proof – small changes, a testing mistake, or fraudulent behaviour might see a bad cable stamped with all the right things - but the print legend is the first indicator of whether the cable is what it should be. Similarly, does the label have the relevant information including CPR compliance details where appropriate?
Good manufacturers conduct extensive tests on the cables before releasing them to market
look the part. It underlines the importance of testing throughout the cable supply chain, not just at the point of manufacture but at the point before delivery to the end user.
WHAT’S A SITE DEVELOPER TO DO? The killer mistake is to assume. Most projects source their cables from a supplier that can amalgamate the different cables and their sizes into one timely delivered order - going direct is not always an option. The construction firm and its contractors are relying on the cable supplier to be certain that every batch from every manufacturer is compliant and as expected – that requires extensive testing, the likes of which are beyond the in-house capabilities of most suppliers. Yes, the end user should be able to assume that any cable they buy from a UK manufacturer, supplier or wholesaler is wholly compliant and fit- for-purpose but unfortunately that is not universally the case. So what to do? Admittedly, no control system is ever perfect, but there are a few steps site engineers and developers can take to minimise the risk of substandard or non-compliant cable.
LOOK INTO THE SUPPLIER’S SUPPLY CHAIN It is important suppliers are tracking their products and testing them with their own or third-party cable testing facilities. If this information is not forthcoming, it would be advisable to walk away.
CHECK FOR ACCREDITATIONS High quality suppliers will proudly display their ISO, BSI and UKAS accreditations. If the supplier offering the best (cheapest) deal does not do the same, it is worth wondering why. In addition to these reputable industry accreditations there are also internationally-recognised marks such as the BSI RoHS Trusted Kitemark, which pinpoint organisations that can assure quality and compliance. If ever a site engineer suspects they
might have sub-standard cable on their hands, they can have an accredited third party lab test it, or report it to the authorities to do so. An independent assessment into the quality and compliance of the cable will provide certainty one way or the other, but if it is a bad batch there is then the remedial action that needs to be taken. Prevention is always better than cure. Construction underpins so much of our everyday lives, including our homes, communities, workplaces and transport systems. Cabling might not be the most visible or glossy side, but it is an integral part. It is woven throughout our entire ecosystem – so it is crucial to get it right. What is important to remember is that having an established and successful industry does not automatically mean that its supply chain is always reliable and trustworthy. Instead, it is up to each firm to question suppliers and ensure the industry as a whole sticks to its own high standards and, above all, remains compliant.
Eland Cables
www.elandcables.com
40 APRIL 2018 | CABLES & CONNECTORS
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
