Question 1

What is the difference between LSF and LSOH?

Accepted Answer

LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) cables are made from a modified version of PVC and can emit large amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned. On the other hand, LSOH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) cables emit no more than 0.5% hydrogen chloride and burn cleanly compared to LSF cables.

Question 2

What is the difference between LSOH and LSZH?

Accepted Answer

LSOH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen, while LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen as well. They are essentially the same, and the terms are used interchangeably. Both types of cables are designed to produce minimal smoke and toxic fumes when exposed to fire.

Question 3

What is the difference between PVC and LSOH?

Accepted Answer

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a type of plastic used in many cables. LSF cables, which are a modified version of PVC, can produce large amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride when burned. LSOH cables, on the other hand, emit no more than 0.5% hydrogen chloride when exposed to fire and burn more cleanly than PVC-based cables.

Question 4

What is the difference between CAT6 PVC and LSOH?

Accepted Answer

CAT6 PVC cables are made using Polyvinyl Chloride as the insulating material. CAT6 LSOH cables use Low Smoke Zero Halogen material as the insulator. The primary difference lies in their reaction to fire: LSOH cables produce minimal smoke and toxic fumes, while PVC cables can produce more smoke and toxic fumes.

Question 5

What is the difference between LSF and PVC?

Accepted Answer

LSF cables are made from a modified version of PVC. While both are related, LSF cables are specifically designed to produce less smoke and fumes than regular PVC. However, they can still emit significant amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of LSF cable?

Accepted Answer

LSF cables can give off large amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned. Black smoke can obscure exit routes during a fire, making evacuation more challenging. Hydrogen chloride gas can be harmful to both people and sensitive equipment.

Question 7

What is LSOH cable used for?

Accepted Answer

LSOH cables are used in environments where safety is a priority, especially in areas with a high density of people or sensitive equipment. Their low smoke and minimal toxic fume emissions when exposed to fire make them suitable for places like hospitals, schools, public buildings, and data centres.

Question 8

Is LSZH better than PVC?

Accepted Answer

In terms of safety during a fire, LSZH (or LSOH) is considered better than PVC. LSZH cables produce minimal smoke and toxic fumes when exposed to fire, whereas PVC cables can emit more smoke and harmful gases like hydrogen chloride.

Question 9

What is an LSF cable?

Accepted Answer

LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) cables are made from a modified version of PVC. When burned, they can emit large amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas. This black smoke can obscure exit routes during a fire, and hydrogen chloride gas can be harmful to both people and equipment.

Question 10

When should LSF cable be used?

Accepted Answer

LSF cables can be used in various applications, but it's essential to be aware of their properties. They emit significant amounts of black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas when burned. Therefore, they might not be the best choice for environments where safety is a priority, especially in areas with a high density of people or sensitive equipment.

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of LSF cable?

Accepted Answer

The primary disadvantages of LSF cables are:

1. They can give off large amounts of black smoke when burned, which can obscure exit routes during a fire, making evacuation more challenging.
2. They emit hydrogen chloride gas when burned, which can be harmful to both people and sensitive equipment.

Question 12

Where do you have to use Low Smoke cable?

Accepted Answer

Low Smoke (LSOH) cables are used in environments where safety is a priority. Their low smoke and minimal toxic fume emissions when exposed to fire make them suitable for places like hospitals, schools, public buildings, and data centres.

PART 1
1a Symbol	Conformance to Standards
H	Cable conforming with the harmonised standards
A	Cable conforms with a Recognised National Type, listed in a supplement to the harmonised standards
1b Symbol	Voltage (Uo/U)
01	>=100/100V to <300/300V
03	300/300V
05	300/500V
07	450/750V
PART 2
2a Symbol	Insulation & Non-Metallic Sheath Material
B	Ethylene-Propylene Rubber (continuous operation up to 90°C)
G	Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate
J	Glass Fibre Braid
M	Mineral
N	Polychloroprene (or equivalent material)
N2	Special Polychloroprene Compound for Covering of Welding Cables Acc. to HD22.6
N4	Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene or Chlorinated Polyethylene
N8	Special Water Resistant Polychloroprene Compound
Q	Polyurethane
Q4	Polyamide
R	Ordinary Ethylene Propylene Rubber or Equivalent Synthetic Elastomer for a Continuous Operating Temp. of 60°C
S	Silicone Rubber
T	Textile Braid, Impregnated or Not, on Assembled Cores
T6	Textile Braid, Impregnated or Not, on Individual Cores of a Multi-Core Cable
V	Ordinary PVC
V2	PVC Compound for a Continuous Operating Temp. of 90°C
V3	PVC Compound for Cables Installed at Low Temp.
V4	Cross-Linked PVC
V5	Special Oil Resistant PVC
Z	Polyolefin based cross-linked compound having low level emission of corrosive gases and which is suitable for use in cables which, when burned, have a low emission of smoke
Z1	Polyolefin based thermoplastic compound having low level emission of corrosive gases and which is suitable for use in cables which, when burned, have a low emission of smoke
2b Symbol	Metallic Coverings - Sheath, Concentric Conductors & Screens
C	Concentric Copper Conductor
C4	Copper Screen as Braid Over the Assembled Cores

2c Symbol	Special Construction Components
D	Strain bearing element consisting of one or more textile components places at the centre of a round cable or distributed inside a flat cable
D5	Central heart (non stain-bearing for lift cables only)
D9	Stain-bearing element consisting of one or more metallic components placed at the centre of a round cable or distributed inside a flat cable
2d Symbol	Special Construction of Whole Cable
01	>=100/100V to <300/300V
03	300/300V
05	300/500V
07	450/750V
2e Symbol	Conductor Material
No Symbol	Copper
-A	Auminium
2f Symbol	Conductor Form (for cables with 2 forms of con., the spec. applies to phase cond.)
-D	Flexible Conductor for use in arc welding cables to HD22 Part 6 (flexibility different from Class 5 of HD383)
-E	Highly Flexible Conductor for use in arc welding cables to HD22 Part 6 (flexibility different from Class 6 of HD383)
-F	Flexible Conductor for a flexible cable or cord (flexibility according to Class 5 of HD383)
-H	Highly Flexible Conductor of a flexible cable or cord (flexibility according to Class 6 of HD383)
-K	Flexible Conductor of a cable for fixed installations (unless otherwise specified, flexibility according to Class 5 of HD383)
-R	Rigid, Round Conductor, Stranded
-U	Rigid, Round Conductor, Solid
-Y	Tinsel Conductor (Used in flexes for small appliances where normal stranded flex would be likely to fatigue and break)
PART 3
Symbol	Number and Size of Conductors
Number	Number, n of cores
X	Times, where a G/Y core is not included
G	Times, where a G/Y core is included
Number	Nominal cross section(s) of the conductor(s) in sqmm (an N after the number indicates the cores are identified by numbers rather than/in addition to colours)
Y	For a tinsel conductor where the cross section is not specified

Examples
H07RN-F	Harmonised cable, 450/750V, ordinary ethylene propylene rubber insulation, polychloroprene sheath, Class 5 Flexible
H05V-U	Harmonised cable, 300/500V, ordinary PVC insulation, solid rigid, round conductor
British CMA Codes	The British CMA codes often quoted by cable suppliers are different to the harmonised codes. The following illustrates examples of common codes together with their equivalent in harmonised form:
	218-Y	H03VV-F	Light duty PVC flex
	318-B	H05Z1Z1-F	LS0H flex
	6242Y	H05VV-U	Twin & Earth, PVC, solid cond. type
	6491B	H07Z-R	LSOH singles, 450/750V stranded type

A Guide to Harmonised Cable Codes