Halogen free

cable compounds

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction to halogens ................................................................................................................ 3

1.1. History ........................................................................................................................................3

1.2. Definition and explanation of halogens .......................................................................................3
1.3. Advantages of halogen free compounds in plastic material ........................................................4
1.4. Fire safety and fire damage prevention .......................................................................................4
1.5. Environmental concerns ............................................................................................................. 5

2. Halogen free cables ....................................................................................................................... 6

2.1. Halogen free compounds in cable jacket and insulation..............................................................6

2.2. Halogen free materials................................................................................................................6
3. Halogen free cable test standards ................................................................................................. 8

3.1. IEC 60754 ..................................................................................................................................8

3.1.1. Test method part 1 (IEC 60754-1) ...........................................................................................8
3.1.2. Test method part 2 (IEC IEC 60754-2) ....................................................................................9
3.2. EN 50267-2-1 ........................................................................................................................... 10

3.2.1. Test method (EN 50267-2-1) ................................................................................................. 10

3.3. IEC 61034-2 ............................................................................................................................. 10
4. Discover all our resources ........................................................................................................... 11

5. About Incore Cables .................................................................................................................... 12

5.1. How we work ............................................................................................................................ 12

5.2. Contact Incore Cables .............................................................................................................. 12

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1. Introduction to halogens
1.1. History
Halogen free compounds have been used in a number of
applications in the cabling industry since the 1970s. Huge fire
events have raised more awareness towards the usage of halogen
free compounds in cables. The most notable fire event is the King’s
Cross Fire that killed 32 people in London’s underground subway in
1987. It was found that the majority of fatalities were caused by
toxic gas and smoke inhalation rather than from the fire itself. Ever
since then London Underground has banned the use of
halogenated cables. Many other high fire risk industries followed
their lead. Cable manufacturers responded by developing materials that were highly resistant to fire with
a far less toxicity rate than halogenated cable materials. Eventually this resulted in the development of
halogen free cables which are nowadays utilized in many industries such as offshore, military, hospitals
and many other confined-space applications.

1.2. Definition and explanation of halogens

Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine are the five non-metallic elements found in Group 7 in
the periodic table, and are also known as halogens. “Halogen” originally means “salt-former” and the
compounds containing halogens are called “salts”.

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Especially the elements bromine and chlorine are considered

dangerous in case of fire because of the formation of corrosive
and/or toxic compounds. The International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) defines halogen free on the basis of chlorine
and bromine in the standard standard IEC 61249-2-21.

The term “halogen-free” does not necessarily indicate a complete

absence of halogens. There is a possibility that halogenated
compounds might unintentionally be present in the material and therefore might not be free of halogens.
Existing test methods generally allow some small amounts of halogen to be present.

There are various terms being used to indicate that a material or product is free of halogens. The most
common terminology is: halogen free, zero halogen, no halogen, 0H and ZH.

1.3. Advantages of halogen free compounds in plastic material

The three primary reasons for choosing halogen free compounds in cabling material are: fire safety, fire
damage prevention and low environmental concerns.

1.4. Fire safety and fire damage prevention

During fire ignition in some applications there is a concern that halogenated material will release
corrosive and toxic gases. The corrosive side of these gases can potentially damage expensive
electronical materials whereas the toxic side can potentially be hazardous to people when the
evacuation options are limited. Corrosion potential to expensive equipment is of particular concerns in
communications data centers and telecommunications organizations. This was pointed out with the fire
which occurred in the Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1988 in Chicago, USA. Local service to 35,000
suburban Chicago phone customers was cut by the fire. The recovery costs were estimated to be many
millions in dollars.

The danger of smoke toxicity for human lives is especially concerning within enclosed spaces, such a
public buildings, cinemas, hospitals, ships, offshore oil and gas platforms and in subway stations. One
example of such a case was the tragic fire event in a South Korean subway station in February 2003.
Toxic fumes and heavy black smoke impeded firefighters from making a quick rescue of those who were
trapped. 120 were killed and many others injured in that incident.

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1.5. Environmental concerns

The drive towards using more environmentally friendly products has increased in significance over the
years. Pioneers in initiating and implementing rules and regulations for the use of environmentally
friendly materials and products are Europe and Japan. The main goal is to identify substances that could
be hazardous to the environment, and ban or restrict the use of these substances in certain products.
The EU RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment) Directives restrict the use of 6 substances in certain electrical and electronic equipment. The
Japanese initiative JGPSSI (Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative) is banning and
restricting 100 different substances that may be contained in a product or its packaging. The product and
material decision process for various industries and applications are changing as a result of these
initiatives.

Most notable regulations and standards for environmental management:

ISO 14001: sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It maps out
a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management
system. It can be used by any organization regardless of its activity or sector.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) (2011/65/EU) - prevents all new electrical and
electronic equipment placed on the market in the European Economic Area from containing lead, mercury,
cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE),
except in certain specific applications, in concentrations greater than the values decided by the European
Commission.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) - provides for the creation of collection
schemes where consumers return their waste of electrical and electronic equipment free of charge. These
schemes aim to increase recycling and/or re-use.

Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI) - promotes the standardization of
chemical management practices for electrical and electronic equipment products. The focus has been on
establishing a common list of chemicals to be managed, including asbestos and mercury.

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) – a regulation of the EU,
adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by
chemicals, while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - includes a set of rating systems for the design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods that aims to help
building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

Construction Products Regulation (CPR) – applies to all construction products in the EU that are produced
for, or incorporated within, building and civil engineering construction works, and includes power, control, and
communication cables. CPR is primarily concerned with the safety of product construction and lays down
essential performance criteria, as well as the uniform assessment and testing methods. This regulation is new
and not yet officially obligatory. The transition period starting 1st of July 2016 in the member countries before
these standards are enacted as a requirement, including the need for CE marking. Obligatory CE marking will
start 1st of July 2017.

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2. Halogen free cables

There is confusion about the terminology for halogen free cable because of a lack of an agreed term.
The most frequent identifications are found below:

Abbreviation Meaning
LS0H Low Smoke, Zero Halogen
LSZH Low Smoke, Zero Halogen
LSHF Low Smoke, Halogen Free
LSNH Low Smoke, Non-Halogen
NHFR Non-Halogen, Flame Retardant
HFFR Halogen Free, Flame Retardant
FRZH Fire Retardant, Zero Halogen
LSFRZH Low Smoke, Fire Retardant, Zero Halogen

Zero halogen and low smoke do not have the same meaning and cannot be used interchangeably. Zero
halogen describes the amount of halogens used to make the compound. These cables may still emit a
thick smoke when burned. Low smoke describes the amount of smoke that a compound emits when
burned. The cables emit a thin and clear smoke when burning, which makes evacuation and firefighting
much easier and safer. Very often the end user is interested in cables containing both properties.

2.1. Halogen free compounds in cable jacket and insulation

The jacket and insulation of halogen free cables with low amounts of smoke emission can be based on
thermoplastic, elastomeric or thermoset compounds. The main difference between these compounds is
that thermoplastic and elastomeric materials will melt when exposed to high heat or fire conditions while
thermoset materials will remain in a solid state. Thermosetting compounds are more resistant to high
temperatures than thermoplastic/elastomeric compounds.

2.2. Halogen free materials

Halogen free materials are based on compounds such as, EVA, Polyamides, EPR, EPDM, PE, PP,
SHF1 and SHF2.

Ethylene Vinylacetate copolymer (EVA) is a multi-functional elastomer, which resists the combined
deteriorating influences of heat, oil and weather. EVA compound is especially used for offshore
applications to produce high quality cable sheathing with properties like low smoke, flame propagation
and with no emission of halogenous acids.

Polyamides (nylon) are mainly used as a gasoline, kerosene, oil and jet fuel barrier. It can also act as a
sheathing option for physical or chemical protection against e.g. termites.

Ethylene propylene rubber (EP, EPR or EPDM) is a valuable elastomer because of its chemical and
physical properties; it is resistant to heat, oxidation, ozone and the weather. This compound can be
applied on flexible cables due to its preservation of flexibility at low temperatures.

Ethylene propylene diene elastomer (EPDM) has the same chemical and physical properties as EPR.
It also remains very flexible at high and low temperatures and had a good insulation resistance. EPDM
exhibits satisfactory compatibility with fireproof hydraulic fluids, ketones, hot and cold water, and alkalis.

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Polyethylene (PE) has good electrical properties. In terms of flexibility, polyethylene can be rated stiff to
very hard, depending on molecular weight and density—low density being the most flexible, with high-
density, high-molecular weight formulation being very hard. Moisture resistance is rated excellent. It has
a very good resistance against low temperatures and ageing.

Polypropylene (PP) is in many aspects similar to polyethylene, especially in electrical properties. PP is

tough and flexible, particularly when copolymerized with ethylene. This material is primarily used as an
insulation material. Typically, it is harder than polyethylene. This makes it suitable for thin wall
insulations.

SHF1 is a halogen-free thermoplastic compound in which the polymer is a polyolefin or equivalent

synthetic polymer not containing halogens providing a compound which is compliant with type SHF1.
Some manufacturers use terms such as LSHF-FR and HFFR when adding compounds according to
SHF1. These compounds are used when PVC is not acceptable because of its halogenated compounds.
SHF1 is generally applied in shipboard and offshore cables.

SHF2 is a halogen-free rubber cross-linked compound in which the polymer is a polyolefin or equivalent
synthetic polymer, not containing halogens, providing a compound which is compliant with type SHF2.
SHF2 is also generally applied for shipboard and offshore cables.

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3. Halogen free cable test standards

As mentioned before, a cable can be halogen free without being low smoke. There is however a
significant demand in halogen free, low smoke cables and therefore not only test standards for halogen
content is outlined below, but also the standard for low smoke tests.

3.1. IEC 60754

International Standard IEC 754 has been prepared by sub-committee 20c: “Burning characteristic of
electric cables, of IEC technical committee 20: Electric cables.”

This standard consists of two parts under the general title: “Test on gases evolved during combustion of
materials from cables.”

Part 1: Determination of the amount of halogen acid gas

Part 2: Determination of degree of acidity of gases evolved during the combustion of materials taken
from electric cables by measuring pH and conductivity

IEC 60754 Part 1 determines the level of halogen emission of the materials used in the cable and IEC
60754 Part 2 determines the level of its’ corrosive gases.

3.1.1. Test method part 1 (IEC 60754-1)

All insulation, inner and outer sheath materials need to pass the test to determine the percentage of
halogen content within each component. According to the standard this percentage should not exceed
0.5%.
o
The material under test is heated to 800 C for 60
minutes in a stream of dry air and the gases
absorbed in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. The
amount of halogen acid is then determined by
acidifying the solution with nitric acid adding a
measured volume of 0.1 M silver nitrate solution and
back titrating the excess with 0.1 M ammonium
thiocyanate using ferric ammonium sulphate as the
indicator, or by any other equivalent analytical
method having at least the same accuracy.

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For material, which contain less than 0.5% of halogen acid, the test procedure according to IEC 60754-2
is recommended

Test for amount of halogen acid gas

3.1.2. Test method part 2 (IEC IEC 60754-2)

In this test method a pre-determined quantity of the test material is burned in a similar tube furnace with
a higher temperature (935 oC) and shorter period of time (30 minutes) than part 1. The evolved gases
are trapped by bubbling through bottles filled with distilled or demineralized water. The acidity is measure
by determination of pH value. The percentage of acidity (which has a direct relation with halogen) should
be more than 4.3% when related to 1 liter of water. The conductivity value of the solution should not
exceed 10 μS/mm when related to 1 liter of water.

Test for pH and conductivity of fire gases

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3.2. EN 50267-2-1
This European Standard was prepared by the technical committee CENELEC TC20: Electric cables. EN
50264-2-1 specifies the procedure for the determination of the amount of halogen acid gas evolved
during the combustion of compounds based on the halogenated polymer, and compounds containing
halogenated additives, taken from cable constructions.

3.2.1. Test method (EN 50267-2-1)

IEC 60754-1 is basically the same as EN 50267-2-1. In this test the material under test is also heated in
a stream of dry air and the gases absorbed in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution contained in wash
bottles. Each was bottle shall contain at least 220 ml of 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. The amount of
halogen acid is then determined by acidifying the solution with nitric acid adding a measured volume of
0.1 M silver nitrate solution and back titrating the excess with 0.1 M ammonium thiocyanate using ferric
ammonium sulphate as the indicator, or any other equivalent analytical method having at least the same
accuracy. The percentage of halogen content should not exceed 0.5 %.

3.3. IEC 61034-2

International Standard IEC 61034-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 20: Electric cables.
This standard measures the smoke density of cable burning under defined conditions. The measurement
of smoke density is an important aspect in the evaluation of the burning performance of cables as it is
related to the evacuation of persons and accessibility for firefighting.

The test is usually performed in a chamber of 3m x 3m x 3m, also described as a 3 meter cube test,
where a cable sample is burned. Within this chamber a photometric measuring system with a 100W light
source is installed on opposite walls at a height of 2.15 m. The light transmission in the chamber is then
registered by the photometric measuring system. The recommended minimum light transmission value is
greater than 60%.

Smoke density of cable burning under

defined conditions

Source: HDP User Group International, Inc.

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4. Discover all our resources

Our website offers information on cables for specific industries. You can download interesting eBooks
about the cable industry and your market developments in order to make the best cable purchase, for
now and the future. All our eBooks are available for free.

Klick on the eBook for the free download

What you will find in this eBook: What you will find in this eBook: What you will find in this eBook:

The history of aluminium cable development. Development of the offshore cable standard. About NEK.
The cost advantages of aluminium cables. International offshore cable standards. Standards.
The weight advantages of aluminium cables. Types of offshore cables. Organizational structure.
The conductivity of aluminium cables. Offshore cable properties. Organizational policy.
The installation and connectivity of Type approvals for offshore cables. History of NEK 606.
aluminium cables. Types of applications for offshore cables.

What you will find in this eBook: What you will find in this eBook:

Petrochemical processes. Renewable energy soucres.

Petrochemical cable types. Wind power generation cables.
Type of installation. Solar power generation cables.
Petrochemical cables in hazardous
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5. About Incore Cables

Incore Cables is a cable supplier with a large stock and its own cable engineers. We produce superior
tailor-made cables for multiple industries worldwide.

In general we develop cables for transport from 100 V to about 36 kV, for water and electricity
companies, for the offshore, oil exploration, and maritime worlds, and for the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries.

5.1. How we work

We believe that your needs will be much better met with a supplier that will first approach an inquiry from
your point of view. In other words: which requirements, terrain conditions, but especially risks will you or
your client be confronted with in the coming years? How can Incore Cables help you with smart
logistics? And, would a differently composed cable not be much more appropriate for your project?

We often adapt an inquiry for a cable in order to find a sustainable, reliable, and smarter solution, based
on 20 years of practical experience. This is knowledge with which you can win projects and anticipate
possible malfunctions, stay within the boundaries of your budgets, unexpected damages or cable
discolorations.

5.2. Contact Incore Cables

Let Incore Cables help you to make the right choices based on time sensitive factors. Based on
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