ELAND Cables

17th March 2008

Talking in code is only ever effective when the person with whom you are communicating knows how to read it. In the field of cable, this means using a common coding system that clearly indicates – wherever you are in Europe – to what specification and standard a cable has been manufactured. Sounds simple, but before the 1980s – when cable testing and manufacturing equipment was developed in relative isolation across the world – it was anything but.

Thanks to the harmonised approach of CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation), however, a single system of code designation for power cables enables companies to make informed decisions about their cable purchases. The system, published in harmonisation document HD 361 and DIN VDE 0292, has helped cut compliance costs and guarantee safety and consistent quality for companies fulfilling contracts across the continent. In much the same way as the standardised colour coding system introduced back in 2004, these harmonised codes have worked to eliminate trade barriers and drive the single European market. Buying the right cable for the right European contract has never been easier – one specification, one code.

Cracking the cable code
The code used to identify specific cables in the harmonised system can be broken down into three parts. The first part indicates whether or not the cable in question fully complies with the common rules laid down by CENELEC and the nominal voltage. The second part looks in more detail at the cable design – insulating and sheathing materials, design features and type of conductor. And the third and final part identifies the number of cores and the nominal cross section(s) of conductors. Here are a few examples of the code in practice:

H07RN-F – Voltage Rating: 450/750V; Insulation: EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber); Sheath: PCP (Polychloroprene); Conductor form: flexible (CLASS 5) conductor

H07BN4-F – Voltage Rating: 450/750V; Insulation: Ethylene-propylene rubber; Sheath: HOFR CSP (Heat & Oil Resistant & Flame Retardant Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene); Conductor form: flexible (CLASS 5) conductor

H01N2-D – Voltage Rating: 100V; Insulation: Special polychloroprene compound, HOFR Conductor form: flexible conductor for use in arc welding cables

H05Z-K – Voltage Rating: 300/500V; Insulation: Polyolefin-based cross-linked compound LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen); Conductor form: flexible conductor for fixed installations

H07V-R – Voltage Rating: 450/750; Insulation: PVC Conductor form: rigid, round conductor, stranded

Part 1 of the Designation

Part 2 of the Designation

Part 3 of the Designation

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20th November 2007

Eland Cables recently performed this test on samples of 33kV cable at the independent CESI facility in Milan.

A Spike Test is a test specifically designed to prove that the screen of a cable can withstand a full specified fault current for a period of no less than 3 seconds. It simulates the accidental “spiking” of a live cable installation and ensures that the circuit protection will operate and the circuit fails to safety.

The cable was successfully tested at 3KiloAmps in 3 seconds.

Further tests were carried out at 4.5KiloAmps and 6KiloAmps to investigate the limitations of the cable design. Impressively all samples also passed at these high levels of electrical current.

All cables passed each test the first time.

Watch Video

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20th August 2007

RoHS stands for The Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and is a directive which came into effect on 1st July 2006.

WEEE stands for the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive (2002/96/EC).

The RoHS Regulations implement the provisions of the European Parliament and Council directive on the Restrictions of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2002/95/EC).
This is to:
• protect human health and the environment
• complement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive (2002/96/EC).

Eland Cables’ Solution

Although there is no general requirement for cables to comply with the RoHS directive Eland Cables is aware that many customers are involved in the manufacture of products which need to be RoHS compliant. In view of this, we have been working with our suppliers and have identified a range of cables which meet the requirements of the directives.

Download Eland Cables Declaration of RoHS Conformity as a pdf

Who needs to comply?

The RoHS directive places the responsibility for Electrical or Electronic Equipment compliance on the producer of the Electrical or Electronic Equipment. It is the producer who must determine whether its product is Electrical or Electronic Equipment under the directives, and, if so, ensure its compliance.

Cables classed as components on their own have general requirement to comply with either WEEE or RoHS.

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20th August 2007

Category 5 Cable (UTP) (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

A multipair (usually 4 pair) high performance cable that consists of twisted pair conductors, used mainly for data transmission. Note: The twisting of the pairs gives the cable a certain amount of immunity from the infiltration of unwanted interference. Basic cat 5 cable was designed for characteristics of up to 100 MHz. Category 5 cable is typically used for Ethernet networks running at 10 or 100 Mbps.

Category 5 E Cable (enhanced)

Same as Category 5, except that it is made to somewhat more stringent standards. Category 5 E is recommended for all new installations, and was designed for transmission speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gigabit Ethernet).

Category 6

Same as Category 5 E, except that it is made to a higher standard.

Category 5 Cable (SCTP) (Screened Twisted Pair)
Same as above, except that the twisted pairs are given additional protection from unwanted interference by an overall shield. There is some controversy concerning which is the better system (UTP or SCTP). Category 5 SCTP cabling systems require all components to maintain the shield, and are used almost exclusively in European countries.

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