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LSF cables have different types based on structure and application. They are designed to perform specific functions, ensuring safety, flexibility, and performance, especially in critical environments.
This type of cable has one conductor, reducing electrical resistance and energy loss. In its low-smoke version, it is ideal for environments where safety and minimum smoke emission are paramount, such as hospitals and public transport facilities.
It consists multiple conductors, providing more power and signal transmission. Multi-core cables are great for complex electronic systems, making them ideal for multi-machine environments and large industrial setups in low-smoke versions.
These have one conductor insulated with LSF material, which enables easy termination and less waste of time during installation. The low-smoke insulation also guarantees safety in case of fire, as seen in many commercial settings.
Flexible LSF cables are made to be bent repeatedly, which makes them great for mobile or temporary installations. This makes them very reliable for use in stage lighting, temporary power systems, or any mobile machinery in low-smoke versions.
These have an outer layer of steel wire or aluminium to protect against harsh conditions. This means that the inner insulation is also made of low-smoke materials, providing protection from smoke and fire, as seen in many outdoor or industrial underground installations.
These cables have a central conductor surrounded by insulating layers, with an outer conductive shield, all made with low-smoke materials. Coaxial cables carry signals such as video or data and are used in environments where fire safety is a primary concern.
An LSF foil-screened cable contains one or more insulated cores lined with an LSF-insulated foil covering. The foil enhances resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI) while maintaining low smoke and halogen-free properties for safety in sensitive electronic environments.
Safety is enhanced with low-smoke and halogen-free materials, ensuring cables can withstand extreme conditions while maintaining integrity and functionality.
Copper or aluminium wire is usually used to make them owing to their electrical conductivity. Copper provides excellent conductivity with minimal resistance, while aluminium is lightweight and cost-effective.
Low-smoke materials such as polyolefin, thermoplastic elastomers, and cross-linked polyethylene are often used as insulating materials for the wires to reduce the smoke concentration and toxicity during combustion. Polyolefin is flexible and resistant to chemical degradation, while cross-linked polyethylene offers excellent thermal and chemical resistance.
Thermoplastic elastomers combine flexibility with chemical resistance, making them ideal where durability and exposure to harsh conditions are considered. These materials ensure the cable remains functional in extreme temperatures, moisture, and mechanical stress.
This is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), elastomeric compounds, or thermoplastic elastomers. PVC is durable and weather-resistant, but TPE and thermoplastic elastomers offer better flexibility and longevity, particularly in mobile applications. PVC is extremely resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and UV radiation, ensuring cables' long-term durability in harsh environments.
Armoured LSF cables include an outer layer of steel wire or aluminium, protecting against mechanical damage. This steel wire or aluminium wire armour is laminated with LSF materials to ensure the cable can withstand cutting, crushing, and other forms of physical danger while preventing the emission of toxic smoke in case of fire.
Many LSF cables are designed with water-resistant layers, typically using thermoplastic elastomers or rubber compounds. This ensures long-term functionality in wet or humid conditions and prevents internal corrosion of the conductors.
Sunlight-resistant LSF cables have a protective outer sheath formulated to resist UV radiation, typically from enhanced PVC or elastomeric compounds. It prevents the outer layer from becoming brittle or cracked, thus ensuring reliability as desired, especially in outdoor applications.
LSF cables are valued in commercial sectors due to their safety and versatility, especially for building infrastructure, transportation, and communications systems.
The building and construction industries use LSF cable for electrical wiring, fire alarm systems, and emergency lighting. Their ability to reduce smoke and toxic gas in case of fire is paramount for the overall safety of occupants, especially in commercial buildings, high-rise structures, and hospitals.
Telecom companies rely on multi-core and coaxial LSF cables for data transmission, telephone lines, and fibre optic systems. Low smoke and halogen-free characteristics for all applications help protect the health of people, as there won't be any halogen or lethal smoke if there is a fire.
Railways, subways, and bus transit authorities utilise LSF cables for signalling, power supply, and communication systems. Their ability to minimise smoke and toxic gas is indispensable for the safety and reliability of systems used by large numbers of people.
LSF cables are used for the control, monitoring, and power supply systems in the oil and gas industry. The encapsulated cables are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments, with additional benefits from low-smoke insulation, helping ensure the long-term safety and reliability of systems in hazardous environments.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities use LSF cables for critical medical equipment, life support systems, and emergency power. Low-smoke and halogen-free ratings ensure that no harmful fumes are released in case of fire, thereby ensuring overall safety in healthcare facilities. They are also used in fire alarm systems and emergency lighting, which is critical for patient and staff safety.
LSF foil-screened cables for industrial automation have their foils providing additional shielding for control systems and machinery. Their low-smoke insulation means that, in case of fire, these cables will give off less smoke and no halogens at all, thereby protecting employees and equipment in factories and manufacturing plants.
Making a careful decision when selecting LSF cables ensures they fulfil safety and performance requirements for each specific environment and application.
Having cables with different conductor materials such as copper and aluminium makes the choice to be based on conductivity and overall cost since copper will be more costly than aluminium and will give better conductivity at a higher cost. Choose a copper LSF cable if superior electrical conductivity with LSF is required. If light weight, lower cost, and good conductivity are all that are required, choose aluminium LSF cable.
Different insulated LSF cables have different insulations: PVC/LSZH insulated cable has a thick layer of PVC/LSZH that protects the cable and provides good insulation. This is used in places where the risk of mechanical damage is low but will provide good fire safety. A silicone/LSZH insulated cable will be a thin layer of silicone/LSZH around the wire, meaning better flexibility and a more heat-resistant quality. This is ideal for industrial sectors requiring better flexibility.
The rating of a cable refers to the specific conditions for which it was designed, such as the operating temperature, typical electrical load, and environmental factors. The LSF cables typically comply with IEC/BS EN standards that define performance and safety regarding fire resistance and smoke emission. LSF cables have several ratings and standards, like IEC 60332-1 and BS EN 50267-2, which are concerned with the assessment of the behaviour of the cables under fire to show how much they will contribute to the development of a fire.
Consider the environment where the LSF cable will be used, e.g., outdoor, industrial, or commercial settings. Look out for additional features like armour for mechanical protection or water resistance/UV protection. For harsh outdoor conditions, go for armoured LSF cables with additional water and UV resistance; for indoor installations, a flexible LSF cable with good LSF properties will do just fine. Do the same for conditions: if it's high-temperature or corrosive, choose LSF cables with better thermal resistance or chemical-hardened outer sheath materials.
Different LSF cables are offered in various sizes, corresponding to the different electrical loads and maximum carrying capacities. The load dictates using a larger conductor size for higher electrical loads and a smaller for lower electrical loads. Larger cables have a bigger termination and fitting, while smaller cables have smaller terminations. To get the right size, ensure to do a proper electrical analysis and measure the requirements to avoid accidental overloading or under-utilising. This way, the right conductor size can be selected without defeating the purpose of the cable.
A1: LSF cables are used in practically all applications where safety is a requirement, such as in buildings, public transport, and industrial automation. The low-smoke and halogen-free characteristics of the cables ensure that, in case of fire, the amount of smoke and toxic gas that will be emitted will be less, thereby ensuring safety for all.
A2: Unlike standard cables, which commonly use PVC insulation and can emit large amounts of toxic smoke and halogens when exposed to fire, LSF cables use low-smoke and halogen-free materials for their insulation and outer sheath, which reduce the smoke and gas emitted.
A3: LSF cables are suitable for outdoor applications, especially when they are armoured or have additional water, UV resistance, and sunlight detection. Outdoor conditions demand additional features such as weather resistance, so LSF cables have additional features such suchscreenedfoils or armoured excels.
A4: LSF cables come in several conductor sizes to match varying electrical loads. Larger sizes handle higher loads due to more electrical currents, while smaller ones handle lower electrical load currents. Proper size selection ensures the cable will not defeat its purpose by overloading or under-utilising.
A5: The healthcare, transportation, industrial automation, oil and gas, telecommunications, and building and construction industries all benefit from using LSF cables. They are used in virtually every application where safety and reliability are required, especially in smoke and gas emissions from electrical cables in case of fire.
