What are LSZH Cables and a Detailed Introduction?

Low smoke and halogen-free cables have emerged in recent years, and they have become very popular for their low smoke and no pollution when burning. So how exactly are low smoke and halogen-free cable? Here let the ZMS cable editor take you to understand it.

LSZH Cable Definition

Low smoke halogen-free cable is an environmentally friendly cable that does not contain halogen, does not contain lead, cadmium, chromium, or mercury.

And other environmental substances are made of rubber and do not emit toxic fumes when burned.

Where the halogen pointer is: the value of all halogens ≦ 50PPM.

The content of hydrogen halide gas produced after combustion <100PPM.

PH value of hydrogen halide gas produced after combustion after dissolving in water≧4.3.

Product burning in a closed container through a beam of light it's a light transmission rate≧of 60%.

There are many types of low smoke and halogen-free cables, such as WDZ-BV, WDZ-RVS, WDZ-RVVP, etc.

This cable has low halogen and low smoke characteristics. When a fire occurs, the spread of slow, low smoke concentration, high visibility, and the release of harmful gases is small, easy to evacuate people.

Low Smoke Halogen-Free Cable Technical Indicators

1. The cable should withstand a 3KV voltage test at ambient temperature, 5min can not be broken down as qualified.

2. The light transmission rate of the cable should meet the following requirements

Cable outside diameter D (mm) light transmission rate (%) ≥ D>40705<D≤105010<D≤4060D≥540

3. The non-flammable or flame retardant characteristics of the cable: should pass the GB12666.5-90 class B bundle burning test.

Single wire and cable vertical combustion test should be through GB12666.2-90.

4. Halogen acid gas release, in line with IEC754-1.

5. PH value of combustion gases and electrical conductivity, in line with IEC754-2 PH ≥ 4.3. Electrical conductivity ≤ 10μS/mm.

Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable Use

The product has superior flame retardant performance, very little smoke when burning, and no corrosive gas escape.

Widely used in nuclear power plants, subway stations, radio and television stations, important military facilities, oil platforms, and other places with a high concentration of people and low air density.

Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable Characteristics

1. High tensile strength

Low smoke halogen-free cable tensile strength is greater than the general PVC wire.

The tensile strength of PVC wire is greater than 1.05Kgf/mm2, while the tensile strength of low smoke halogen-free wire is greater than 1.2Kgf/mm2.

2. Good weather resistance

It has good weather resistance, and the applicable temperature is -30℃~105℃.

3. Good flexibility

With good softness and hardness of 80-90.

4. With non-migration.

Because there is no need to add plasticizer to the formula of this product, it will not have shifting properties.

5. Environmentally friendly when burning

It does not produce toxic black smoke when burning. Only a small amount of white smoke will be produced.

6. High volume resistivity

PVC wire is generally 1012~1015Ω/cm3, and low smoke halogen-free wire is greater than 1016Ω/cm3.

7. Good high-voltage characteristics

PVC wire is generally more than 10KV, while the low smoke halogen-free wire is more than 15KV.

8. Good elasticity and stickiness.

It also has good stickiness and elasticity which makes it more convenient to use.

Low Smoke Zero Halogen Cable Technology Development

The current market technology status and development trend of low-smoke halogen-free flame retardant cable materials.

Halogen-containing flame retardant polymer system because of its outstanding flame retardant effect, before the mid-1980s the flame retardant polymer market occupies an absolute dominant position.

One example is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used in the wire and cable industry. It still plays a major role in sheathing and insulation materials.

With the progress of society and the rapid development of science and technology, the inherent weaknesses of PVC, namely a large amount of smoke, and severe corrosive gases.

And toxic fumes released during combustion, have become more and more obvious.

Since then, the evaluation and search for alternatives to PVC materials have been the focus of debate.

In 1986, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisbenzodipentane and tetrabromobisbenzofuran, which are carcinogenic substances, were first discovered in Europe as combustion products.

In 2001, PentaBDE and DecaBDE were found to bioaccumulate 400 times more in wild falcon eggs than in domestic falcon eggs in the UK.

This led to a renewed campaign to reject the production and use of brominated flame retardants.

LSZH Cable is not Suitable for All

It is important to remember that cables using halogenated compounds such as PVC and FEP be hazardous in the event of a fire.

LSZH cables are not suitable for all applications for the following reasons

However, LSZH cables are not a universal solution to replace them for the following reasons.

1. PVC and FEP cables also have important advantages that cannot be ignored.

In open spaces where smoke and gases can spread quickly, there are a few advantages to using LSZH cables instead of them.

2. In case of fire, cables are usually not the only source of plastic, and PVC and FEP cables are fire resistant.

Therefore, among many factors, they are relatively less responsible for fires.

PVC and FEP-based cables are more affordable than LSZH cables.

It offers excellent electrical performance for a wide range of applications, with excellent electrical characteristics in both dry and wet environments.

They are also highly flexible, have a long service life, can withstand extreme temperatures and chemicals, and are extremely rugged.

In short, LSZH cables are best suited for scenarios where conventional cables can be hazardous. They are not intended to be used as a replacement for conventional cables in all applications.

LSZH Cable Performance and Cost

In the past, the electrical and mechanical properties of LSZH cables were lower than those of conventional cables. However, this has now been significantly improved.

Cable manufacturers are constantly optimizing the performance of LSZH cables. 

These products offer flame retardant properties at the level of PVC and FEP materials and are no less flexible, bend radius, low-temperature resistance, and electrical performance.

LSZH cables are still generally more expensive because they require more steps and manufacturing time to produce. 

However, as the U.S. market for LSZH cables continues to expand, their cost may decrease.

LSZH cables have historically been unsuitable for applications in cold environments because additives typically reduce the flexibility of the cable, especially at very low temperatures.

However, some of the latest LSZH cables use proprietary technology to alleviate this problem.

As we have learned from this article, although LSZH cables have been around for decades, their use is only just now beginning to accelerate in growth.

We hope the reader will come to understand LSZH cables. It is important to have a basic understanding of the scenarios in which LSZH cables should be used.

This is a basic introduction to LSZH cables. The cables are essential for the use of electricity, so the demand is growing year by year. ZMS cable company has always been concerned about the development of the cable, always adheres to providing high-quality cable, good value for money, considerate service, products after strict manual qualification audit, and trustworthy.