Building Wire Insulation Comparision

Vol. 2 | June 2023

5

FR PVC FR-LSH PVC Thermoplastic LS0H Cross Linked LS0H

(Thermoplastic HFFR) (Cross Linked HFFR)

Flame Retardant (FR) PVC Flame Retardant Low Smoke & Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LS0H) / Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LS0H) /
IS 694:2010 – Y (FR) Low Halogen (FR-LSH) PVC Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR) Halogen Free Flame Retardant (HFFR)
IS 694:2010 - Y (FR-LSH) IS 17048:2018 (Z) IS 17048:2018 (XZ)
BS EN 50525-3-31 (Z1) | DIN VDE 50525-3-31 (Z1) BS EN 50525-3-41 (Z) | DIN VDE 50525-3-41 (Z)

Molecular Structure – Molecular Structure –

Linear Linear Molecular Structure – Molecular Structure –
Linear 3-Dimensional

Thermal Properties Thermal Properties Thermal Properties Thermal Properties

• -15°C to +70°C • -15°C to +70°C • -15°C to +70°C (Ref. - IS 17048:2018) • -15°C to +90°C (Ref. – IS 17048:2018)
• Melt & drips in fire • Melt & drips in fire • Deforms and soften under heat & fire • Does not melt & drip in fire
• Max. short circuit temp. rating of 160°C. • Max. short circuit temp. rating of 160°C. • Max. short circuit temp. rating of 160°C. • Max. short circuit temp. rating of 250°C.
• Sustains aging test at 70°C for 168 hours • Sustains aging test at 70°C for 168 hours • Sustains aging test at 80°C for 168 hours • Sustains aging test at 135°C for 168 hours

Performance Characteristics Performance Characteristics Performance Characteristics Performance Characteristics

• Flame Retardant • Flame Retardant • Excellent Flame Retardant Properties • Excellent Flame Retardant Properties
• Limited Oxygen Index > 29% • Limited Oxygen Index > 29% • Non-Toxic & Non-Corrosive • Non-Toxic & Non-Corrosive
• Limited Temp. Index > 250°C • Limited Temp. Index > 250°C • No suffocation or burning sensation in eyes • No suffocation or burning sensation in eyes
• Emits toxic & corrosive gases • Better visibility (Smoke density < 60%) • Offers high visibility during fire condition • Offers high visibility during fire condition
• Emits dark smoke and obstructs visibility • Less toxic in nature (Acid Gas emission • Recommended by NEC 2023 for use in high • High mechanical, electrical, and thermal
• Not recommended by NEC 2023 for use in < 20%) rise buildings or public infrastructures. properties.
high rise buildings or public • Not recommended by NEC 2023 for use in • Recommended by NEC 2023 for use in high
infrastructures. high rise buildings or public rise buildings or public infrastructures.
infrastructures.

• Limited Oxygen Index (LOI) - measure of minimum percentage of oxygen required to support the combustion.
• Limited Temperature Index (LTI) – measure of minimum temperature at which the material supports combustion in air containing 21% of oxygen.
• Smoke Density – determines the volume of smoke generated when cables are burnt.
• Acid Gas emission – determine the amount of halogen acid gases created when the cable insulation / sheath is burnt. 5