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What is LSZH cable?

BY Hunan GL Technology Co.,Ltd.

POST ON:2022-02-22

VIEWS 538 Times


LSZH is the short form of Low Smoke Zero Halogen. These cables are constructed with jacket material free from halogenic materials such as chlorine and fluorine as these chemical have toxic nature when they are burned.

Benefits or advantages of LSZH cable
Following are the benefits or advantages of LSZH cable:
➨They are used where people are very near to cable assemblies where they do not get adequate amount of ventilation in the event of fire or there is poor ventilated areas.
➨They are very cost effective.
➨They are used in railway systems where high voltage signal wires are used in underground tunnels. This will reduce possibilities of accumulation of toxic gases when cables get fire.
➨They are constructed using thermoplastic compounds which emit limited smoke with no halogen.
➨They do not produce dangerous gas when they come in contact with high sources of heat.
➨LSZH cable jacket helps in protection of people in the event of fire, smoke and dangerous gas due to burning of cables.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of LSZH cable
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of LSZH cable:
➨LSZH cable’s jacket uses high % of filler material in order to offer low smoke and zero halogen. This makes jacket less chemical/water resistant compare to non-LSZH cable counterpart.
➨Jacket of LSZH cable experiences cracks during installation. Hence special lubricants are needed to prevent it from damage.
➨It offers limited flexibility and hence it is not suitable for robotics.

If protection of equipment or people is a design requirement, consider low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) jacketed cables. They emit fewer toxic fumes than standard PVC-based cable jackets. Typically, LSZH cable is used in confined spaces such as mining operations where ventilation is of concern.

What is the difference between LSZH cable and common cables?

The function and technique parameter of LSZH fiber optic cable is just like common fiber optic cables, and inner structure is also similar, the basic difference is the jackets. LSZH fiber optic jackets is more fire-resistant compared with common PVC jacketed cables, even when they are caught in fire, the burned LSZH cables provide low smoke and no halogen substances, this feature is not only environment protective but the low smoke when it got burned is also important to people and facilities in the fired place.

LSZH jacket is made up of some very special materials which are non-halogenated and flame retardant. LSZH cable jacketing is composed of thermoplastic or thermoset compounds that emit limited smoke and no halogen when exposed to high sources of heat. LSZH cable reduces the amount of harmful toxic and corrosive gas emitted during combustion. This type of material is typically used in poorly ventilated areas such as aircraft or rail cars. LSZH jackets are also safer than Plenum-rated cable jackets which have low flammability but still release toxic and caustic fumes when they are burned.

Low smoke zero halogen is becoming very popular and, in some cases, a requirement where the protection of people and equipment from toxic and corrosive gas is critical. This type of cable is ever involved in a fire very little smoke is produced making this cable an excellent choice for confined places such as ships, submarines, aircraft, high-end server rooms and network centers.

What’s the difference between PVC and LSZH cables?

Physically, PVC and LSZH are very different. PVC patchcords are very soft; LSZH patchcords are more rigid because they contain the flame retardant compound, and they are aesthetically more pleasing

A PVC cable (made of polyvinyl chloride) has a jacket that gives off heavy black smoke, hydrochloric acid, and other toxic gases when it burns. Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cable has a flame-resistant jacket that doesn’t emit toxic fumes even if it burns.

LSZH more expensive and less flexible

LSZH cables usually cost more than the equivalent PVC cable, and certain types are less flexible. LSZH cable does have some restrictions. According to CENELEC standards EN50167, 50168, 50169, screened cables must be halogen free. However, no similar regulation yet applies to unscreened cables.

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