In this post, we will see the difference between flame-resistant and flame retardant cables.
Fire protection is a very important factor when used in electrical cables. In today’s world of rapid construction and engineering, if there is no fire safety in the cables used, then it can be hazardous for human life as well as the nearby environment.
So, the fire resistance factor should also be taken into care when choosing an electrical cable. Majorly, two types of fire safety cables are used everywhere – flame resistant and flame retardant.
In this post, we will see the difference between flame-resistant and flame retardant cables.
As the name implies, a flame resistant cable is one that will continue to operate and not burn in case of fire. Without melting, it will resist high temperatures and prevent itself from burning.
Typically, it can survive temperatures of up to 300 deg C. So, it is designed to maintain circuit integrity and continue to work for a specified amount of time (means this cable cannot resist fire for long hours, but only till a specified amount of time).
These cables operate under IEC 60331 and BS 6387 standards. So, the material used in covering the cable is non-flammable.
As the name implies, a flame retardant cable is one that will continue to operate in case of fire; but it will burn slowly and prevent the fire from spreading by reducing the amount of heat released from a fire and the potential for a fire to spread. Thus, they inhibit or suppress the combustion process.
These cables either self-distinguish themselves or burn slowly; thus preventing the fire from spreading to other areas. These cables operate under IEC 60332, BS EN 60332, EN 50265, and BS 4066 standards.
Below are the key points which differentiate both of them.
In this way, we saw the difference between flame-resistant and flame retardant cables.
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