Knowledge

  • We hope this section of our website will be a helpful resource for general information on cables / construction / regulations.


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    CPR / UKCA

    All cables sold in the UK have to be CPR Rated – with exception of PH30/PH120 Rated Fire Cables which have their own strict fire tests. Every cable reel should have a CPR Label that states its rating. If you are cutting cable, you need to be replicating that label exactly (not re-naming it in any way) and adhering it to the cut lengths you are supplying your customers. All CPR labels will reference a “DoP” [Declaration of Performance], which must be kept on file by the originator and be provided if requested to do so.

Example of CPR Label – showing CPR Cca rated cable

There are 5 levels of CPR Ratings – Fca being the lowest, B2ca the highest. A brief description is as follows:

CPR LevelExplanation
B2caSame tests as Cca, but to higher standards.
Highest level any thermoplastic sheathed cable will meet.
CcaSame test as Dca, but to higher standards.
Minimum requirement for BS6701 Regulations.
Dca3rd party tested to EN ISO1716, EN 50399, EN 60332-1-2, EN 61034-2, EN 60754-2
EcaBasic 3rd party testing to EN60332-1-2
FcaCable will either not pass basic Eca testing [PE Sheathed cables for example] or has not been tested.
Levels Dca / Cca / B2ca all have suffixes: sX, dX, aX, which denote the level of Smoke / Flaming Droplets / Acid produced when under test. The lower the number (X) the better. “s1,d0,a1” would therefore be better than “s1,d1,a1” for example.

This document from BASEC should help to explain the implications of CPR:


LSF / LSZH are not the same thing.

LSF is still PVC – it has been modified to have unquantified properties that are lower in smoke, and lower in fume than normal PVC, but it will still burn, still give off black smoke, and still give off fumes – which when mixed with water will create hydrochloric acid. Black smoke and hydrochloric gas are considered to be more deadly to people than the flames themselves. Once the smoke is inhaled, it mixes with moisture in the body and hydrochloric acid is created, which irritates the lungs causing coughing, shortness of breath. It is not LSZH

LSZH is not PVC, and is not LSF. The compound used will have a quantifiable fire / smoke performance [less than 0.5% hydrochloric gas] . This should be the bare minimum for all installations in all public buildings. LSZH is also known as LSNH / LSOH / Halogen Free / LSHF / OHLS


Alarm Cable Types – BS4737

Alarm Cable TypeConstruction / Performance
Type 1Must Be Copper
Must be LSZH Insulation
Must be LSZH Sheath
Maximum 100 Ohm Conductor Resistance
Type 2Must be Copper
Maximum 100 Ohm Conductor Resistance
Type 3Normally CCA (Copper Covered Aluminium)
Maximum 155 Ohm Conductor Resistance


Structured Wiring – CAT5E > CAT8

Ethernet cable frequency refers to the rate at which a network cable transmits signals, usually measured in megahertz (MHz). It indicates the frequency range of signals that the network cable can transmit. For example, a CAT5E network cable with a transmission frequency of 100 MHz can support a frequency range between 1 MHz and 100 MHz while signals beyond this range may be subject to loss or interference. Ethernet cable frequency plays a crucial role in determining the performance and speed of data transmission over the network. Therefore the higher frequency the more data a cable can handle.

CategoryCable Frequency
CAT5E100MHz
CAT5E ENHANCED / HDBaseT350MHz
CAT6250MHz
CAT6 ENHANCED / HDBaseT550MHz
CAT6A500MHz
CAT7600MHz
CAT7A1000MHz
CAT82000MHz

UTP / FTP / S-FTP ???

AbbreviationConstruction
U-UTPUnscreened
F-UTPOverall Foil Screen
U-FTPIndividual Foil Screened Pairs
No overall screen
F-FTPIndividual Foil Screened Pairs
Overall Foil Screen
S-FTPIndividual Foil Screened Pairs
Overall Braid Screen


AWG Information

The larger the AWG [American Wire Gauge] Number, the smaller the conductor size.

AWGCross Sectional Area
123.10mm²
141.90mm²
161.20mm²
180.80mm²
200.56mm²
220.35mm²
240.22mm²
AWG Chart for stranded conductors


CCA Conductor Cables

CCA when written in capital letters would normally refer to Copper Covered Aluminium. This has been prevalent in the industry for around 15 years as it is a cheaper option to copper. It does, however, present problems in some cases.

1 – It has a higher conductor resistance to copper, which means it is only suitable for shorter runs
2 – If used in CAT5E / CAT6 cables it is NOT suitable for POE installations (Power Over Ethernet)
3 – It is weaker than copper – has less tensile strength.
If in doubt, use copper instead!

Where can it be found?

Alarm CableBS4737 Type 3 was created to acknowledge & control the performance of CCA conductor alarm flex.
Telecom Cable2, 3, 4, 6 Pair telecom cables
CAT5EShould not be used for POE
CAT6Should not be used for POE
Coaxial Braid ScreeningNormally on cheaper CLASS E Screened Digital / Satellite coaxial cables


Cable Temperature Ranges

Min. installation temperature -5°C
Operating and storage temp:

  • PVC sheath -30 to +80°C 
  • LSF sheath -25 to +80°C
  • PE sheath -40 to +80°C
  • LSZH sheath -25 to +80°C


“CT100” Digital / Satellite Coaxial

Many cables are referred to as CT100.

“CT100” Cable TypeDescription
RG6
Class E Screening Efficiency
Copper Covered Steel Conductor
Aluminium Tape Screen
Aluminium Braid Screen
C100
Class E Screening Efficiency
Copper Covered Steel Conductor
Aluminium Tape Screen (Copper Coloured)
Aluminium Braid Screen
[This is essentially still RG6]
C100PREM
Class E Screening Efficiency
Copper Conductor
Aluminium Tape Screen (Copper Coloured)
Aluminium Braid Screen
DFD100 CAI Approved.
Class A+ Screening Efficiency
Copper Conductor
Copper Tape Screen
Copper Braid Screen


Anatomy of a cable

Some helpful terminology of cable construction elements.

ConductorCan be stranded or solid.
Is normally Copper, but cheaper cables can be copper covered Aluminium or Steel. Pure copper has lower resistance so can be run longer distances.
InsulationThe part that covers the conductor, normally colour coded for identification – but can be printed with numbers.
Pairs / CoresA Pair is 2 cores twisted together to help avoid interference.
A 2 core cable might also be referred to as 1 Pair.
ScreeningThis can be Foil or Braid
It can be individual (around each pair) or overall (or both!)
Foil is normally aluminium. Foil screen normally comes with a bare drain wire to earth the screen.
Braid is normally copper (or copper covered aluminium)
SheathThe outer part of the cable.
Can be PVC, LSF (which is still PVC), LSZH for internal installations.
PE for external. Some LSZH sheaths are UV / External.
SWAIn addition, you may also have SWA (steel wire armour) around the sheath, and then another overall sheath


Sheath Colours

Cable sheath colours are usually referred to by a RAL Number which can then accurately identify the exact colour required. You can download a RAL Colours chart here:


Speaker Cables – Distances

Suggested conductor sizes for different power speakers based on the distance you need to run.