New cables on offer
On 29 October 2018, the company expanded its range of cables to include a group of mining signal cables with low smoke emissions and no flame propagation. Designed for use in electric power control, safety and control equipment in strip, open-pit and underground mines:
- in non-methane and methane fields in excavation sites
- classified as a degree 'a' , 'b' or 'c' of methane explosion hazard,
- in excavations classified as class " A" or " B" coal dust explosion hazard,
- in intrinsically safe circuits,
- in open-pit, borehole and underground mines also outside the explosion hazard zones.
Innovation is a word that will be changed over the next few years in all cases both in the economy and in research. The experience of companies and research and scientific centres has meant that huge financial resources have been allocated to a knowledge-based economy and will be linked, in the area of research, to the creation of new materials that are environmentally friendly and do not pose a threat to human life, and that protect infrastructure, particularly in the event of fires.
Since cables and wires are an integral part of all objects, they are used in mines, installed in appliances and equipment, they are exposed to electric sparks and fire. The plastics used on a large scale to produce cables and wires in the event of a fire emit dense smoke, which reduces visibility and hinders rescue and fire fighting operations. They also emit aggressive gases which are dangerous to the health and even life of people in endangered areas. In the event of a fire affecting cables and wires, it is important to know their behaviour under such conditions. Currently, burning cables and wires are required to emit small amounts of smoke and as little heat as possible, and not to emit toxic and aggressive gases or spread the flame.
Halogens are four elements from the group of halogens: chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine, which are often used in the production of plastics, used for cable lining and sheathing. When burning, halogen materials emit toxic and corrosive gases into the atmosphere. Poisonous smoke is particularly dangerous in isolated objects, such as ships, trains or oil platforms. Furthermore, in combination with water (or steam), these gases form corrosive liquids (acids) destroying equipment and property in the vicinity. Therefore, cables in installations which have to comply with fire safety standards should be made of halogen-free materials (referred to as: halogen free, zero halogen or no halogen).
If information on whether a given material contains halogens is not given explicitly, it is usually difficult to deduce this from product specifications. It is usually a mixture of basic material with various auxiliary substances that give it specific characteristics. Testing in the laboratory is then necessary. The course of the tests and how to interpret the results are described in the relevant standards.