Choose cable with care - a safer choice that pays off in the long run

Cables are expected to have a service life of at least 40 years.

“You should therefore focus on good quality cables in terms of both the climate and the safety of people. Choose cables that have been adapted for the local climate and that fulfil applicable local standards. The initial costs are higher but it becomes significantly cheaper when viewed across the entire service life,” says Aron Andersson, Product Manager for Power and Installation Cables at Nexans.

With an increasing part of society running on electricity, it is even more important that the transition to an increasingly electrified society includes both retrospective and long-term thinking. Nexans has more than 100 years of experience in the field and works actively to offer cables that are sustainable over time, safe and reusable for installers.
 

What many consumers do not know is that cables used in Sweden must meet several requirements to be declared safe for use in installations. The cables must, for example, possess properties that are adapted to the Nordic climate.
 

“When it comes to cables, there are European standards that must be adhered to, but local adaptation is also required to maintain electrical designs of a high quality. In Sweden, this means that cables should be designed based on the coldest days that occur during a ten-year period. We must also use the correct fire class in relation to Nordic requirements. At Nexans, we can safely guarantee that we can fulfil these requirements,” says Mats Klarén, Product Manager, Power Grid and Service at Nexans.

The importance of the correct fire class

Ordinary installation cables were previously manufactured using PVC, which emits heavy smoke and dangerous gases when burning, which makes evacuation difficult and can also lead to deaths in the event of fires. The fire class regulates how fire spreads between the different fire cells in the event of fires. Since 2016, Nexans has moved to exclusively offering halogen-free cables, which increase fire safety.

“Using halogen-free cables saves lives in the event of accidental fire, while also saving money. The sale of cables with lower fire classifications is not prohibited, but does involve lower safety levels. We have consciously aimed for a higher level to ensure that people are safe when using our products,” Andersson concludes.