The Importance of Halogen-Free Cables for Safety and Performance
In today’s world, one of the most important features sought in cables is their ability to safely transmit electrical energy. Identifying the usage areas of cables and the materials used in their production is of utmost importance to create safe working and living environments.
Some elements known to be hazardous and toxic, such as iodine, bromine, chlorine, and fluorine, are referred to as halogens. Halogens have been used in cables for years for various reasons, including low cost and high heat resistance. Used in a wide range of applications from disinfection processes to electrical lamps, halogens are known as chemically reactive nonmetals. When halogens interact with heat, they produce hydrochloric acid, which can combine with other gases in the air to form hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is harmful to both humans and electronic devices.
When halogenated plastics burn, they release foul gases into the atmosphere. In enclosed spaces, equipment containing halogens can rapidly concentrate these lethal gases during a fire, leading to irreversible damage to the human body upon inhalation.
Why Choose Halogen-Free Cables?
Fire is an event that can result from accidents, negligence, lack of adequate protective measures, ignorance, or even natural disasters. Combustion is a chemical reaction, and the halogens that provide carbon from the burning material can transform into harmful and toxic gases, causing irreversible health impacts. Additionally, they can accelerate the spread of fire, leading to rapid growth of the blaze. In fires that cause significant loss of life and property, it is often found that the use of non-fire-resistant cables in installations contributes to the rapid spread of the fire and the release of toxic gases.
Halogen-free cables, known as non-flammable cables, are manufactured using materials that do not contain hazardous nonmetals. As a result, halogen-free cables do not produce the black smoke and toxic gases that PVC cables release during a fire. Non-flammable cables also stand out by reducing heat release and preventing the spread of flames.
Non-flammable cables are one of the most preferred types of cables because they minimize safety concerns in all structures where they are used. Halogen-free cables are commonly used in high-population areas such as factories, cinemas, hospitals, high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and educational institutions.
Halogen-free cables also do not cause oxidation in metal components and electronic devices. Due to their flame-retardant properties, non-flammable cables self-extinguish when the flames decrease or extinguish, preventing the fire from spreading. Additionally, their low smoke density facilitates the evacuation process, aiding rescue teams and firefighters.
Halogen-free elements are typically focused on areas with restricted airflow or limited exit opportunities. They are commonly used in shipbuilding applications, public transport vehicles, metros, hospitals, tunnels, shopping centers, airports, cinemas, schools, and offshore drilling.
Why Are Halogen-Free Cables Advantageous?
Cables used in areas with fire risk are expected to have properties such as flame resistance, fire resistance, being halogen-free, and low smoke density. During a fire, systems in central company buildings, hospitals, subways, power plants, fire-related centers, and similar buildings should continue to operate for a while longer. Therefore, it is crucial that the power supply and control cables for these systems are halogen-free non-flammable cables. To keep the effects of fire on people and property at the lowest possible level, it is important that cables have features such as low smoke density, flame retardancy, and non-flammability.
Halogen-free cables do not contain halogen elements such as fluorine, chlorine, iodine, and bromine. When burned, they produce only water and carbon dioxide, releasing no toxic gases. They do not propagate flames and self-extinguish due to special compounds containing aluminum or magnesium hydroxide. The smoke density they cause during a fire is very low, allowing the continuity of electrical transmission for a significant period.
To ensure the flawless operation and control of halogen-free cables, international standard fire tests are conducted after production. This allows for the observation of cable behavior in the event of a fire.
The materials used in halogen-free cables are not easily flammable, and when the flame is cut off, they self-extinguish. Both single-core and bundled cables undergo flame resistance tests. During a fire, the continued operation of sections like lighting, ventilation, entry and exit doors, elevators, and central control systems in operating rooms is crucial. Therefore, it is essential that channels feeding or controlling important systems in the building continue to operate for a certain period during a fire. The fire resistance test checks how long halogen-free cables can continue to function under fire conditions.