FEATURE
cable safety
Hidden dangers Electrical contractors could be unwittingly jeopardising their reputation and putting lives at risk by using unsafe cable. New initiatives aim to raise awareness of this threat By Rob Shepherd
E
lectrical cable is the lifeblood of any building, but sometimes it is taken for granted. The UK electrical cables and systems market is worth about £2 billion, but the British Cables Association (BCA) estimates that 20 per cent of cable products are non-approved, unsafe or counterfeit. There are a number of reasons for the growth in counterfeit cables, the main one being the escalating price of copper. At the end of 2010, copper prices hit an all-time high, well above the key $9,000 (£5,645) a tonne level. Unless you happen to be the owner of a copper mine, the problem is set to get even worse, with analysts and traders suggesting that prices could reach $12,000 (£7,526) a tonne on the back of the growing shortage. As a result, a number of unscrupulous producers have cut corners and used less copper than required for the manufacturing process. Some have cut back the diameter of the copper wire too much, which reduces the current rating and increases the resistivity of the cable. This can result in overheating, which can lead to fire or reduce the level of safety against electric shock. There have also been instances where materials other than pure copper, such as steel wire, copper-clad aluminium or badly recycled copper, have been used in cable manufacture. For nearly 40 years the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) has promoted independent cable testing and approval, and has been at the forefront in highlighting this important issue. “The electrical contracting sector is very price-driven, but this must not be at the expense of safety and quality,” says Jeremy Hodge, chief executive of BASEC. “Cutting down on copper is one way that suppliers can cheat their customers, and to help stamp
> MAKING A MARK
this out BASEC is conducting more unannounced spot checks on manufacturers and wholesalers. Efforts to expose these traders and manufacturers have been effective and more intelligence has been obtained about poor practices.” But it’s not just down to the supply chain to be vigilant; contractors also have a significant role to play in managing this issue. “The potential risk to the public is a real problem and contractors have a responsibility not to compound the issue any further by ensuring on each and every job delivered that the specification is correct and it is followed through to installation,” says Michael Simms, president of the BCA.
Taking action Last year saw the launch of the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI), which aims to educate contractors about the dangers of purchasing and installing non-compliant cables. It has received widespread support from industry trade bodies, including NICEIC, BASEC and BCA, and has pledged to name and shame suspect importers, manufacturers and distributors. It is also lobbying government to enforce legislation, ensuring that only cables that fully comply with British, European or international standards and carry a third-party certification can be manufactured, distributed or installed in the UK. Identifying a non-compliant or counterfeit cable is not always easy. While some cables carry no markings at all, the majority are fraudulently marked, showing standards and approvals for which they have no claim. They are clearly intended to mislead the distributor, wholesaler and contractor and it is often difficult to
LEAVING NOTHING TO CHANCE
Electrical cable should have the following markings to demonstrate that it is authentic and meets acceptable quality standards: • A manufacturer’s name and mark; • A British Standard (BS) number to signify that the manufacturer has confirmed conformity to this standard; • A BASEC marking if the cable has been tested by BASEC; • Harmonised cable and designation markings that denote the cable is harmonised; • A conductor size mark denoting the cross-sectional area of the copper conductor; • A letter attributable to its year of manufacture; • The cable’s country of origin; • A mark signifying that the core colours are in line with the rest of Europe. Source: Draka
38 Spring 2011 NICEIC Connections
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