Eland Cables is a worldwide supplier of power, data, control and instrumentation cables and accessories. We work with them to provide our customers with complete cable solutions for a wide range of industries. One of the many reasons why we work with businesses such as Eland Cables is the certifications that come with their products.
Buying BASEC Approved Cables from ABM Electrical
This certification ensures that the products you receive are of the highest quality. We only want the best for our customers and working with businesses such as Eland Cables allows us to provide that. However, what’s just as important is for our customers to have an understanding of these certifications. This will help you to understand exactly what you are investing in when coming to us for your cable and accessories.
What is BASEC?
The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is an independent, non-profit certification and a leading authority for electrical cables. It offers product certification services for a number of cable and cable accessory types. This includes wire, steel wire armour, control and instrumentation, industrial, and fire performance. In order for a product to be certified and approved by BASEC, it must undertake comprehensive testing. It must also receive a manufacturing process audit to ensure product compliance.
BASEC’s certification programmes currently extend to product certification and BASEC marking. This is assessed by looking at the design, the process capability and HAR scheme approval. Once a specific cable range has been approved against the relevant standards, BASEC issues a product certification schedule and listing. By doing so, each product receives confirmation that it complies with the standards.
This mark of approval from BASEC represents a safety and quality endorsement by one of the biggest bodies of accreditation in Europe. We believe it is of high importance for us to only provide our customers with the tried and tested quality products. This is why working with brands such as Eland Cables is essential.
Understanding Cable Types and the Relevant Standards
Each cable type you require must meet a set of specific standards in order to receive BASEC certification. Knowing what certifications are required can often be quite confusing. Here, we break down these requirements to help you understand what you should be looking for next time you shop.
Fixed installation cables (building wire)
- BS6004 – These are PVC cables and wires used for buildings’ final circuits. This includes twin & earth and meter tails.
- BS7211 – These are simply LSZH variants of the cables and wires that are covered under BS6004.
Low voltage power distribution cables
- BS5467 – These are XLPE or EPR insulated and PVC sheathed, low voltage, armoured cables. These are commonly used in building and industrial applications.
- BS6724 – Like BS7211, these are simply LSZH variants of the armoured cables that are covered under BS5467.
- BS7846 – LSZH and fire performance power cables.
- BS6346 – PVC insulated and PVC sheathing armoured power cables.
- BS7889 – non-armoured PVC insulated and PVC sheathed power cables.
- IEC60502-1 – armoured and non-armoured power cables of various construction and properties.
Control and instrumentation cables
- BS6231 – This is a single core panel wire. It is known commercially as tri-rated when UL and CSA-approved.
Flexible cables
- BS6007 – These are rubber and silicone elastomeric heat resisting cables designed for internal wiring.
- BS6500 – A wide range of flexible cables, many of which are harmonised under the European HAR scheme.
- BS7919 – industrial flexible cables.
- BS EN 50525 and HD 21 / HD 22 – Harmonised flexible cables and certain single core conduit wiring.
Medium and high voltage cables
- BS6622 – These are armoured medium voltage cables. They come with XLPE or EPR insulation and PVC sheathing between 6.6kV and 33kV.
- BS7835 – These are simply LSZH variants of the cables covered under BS6622.
- IEC60502-2 – armoured and non-armoured medium voltage power cables of various constructions and properties between 6kV and 30kV.
Data and telecom cables
- These cover a variety of industry standards including IEC 11801, BS EN 50173 and TIA/EIA 568.
Fire performance
- BS7629-1 – This is the specification for 300/500V fire resistant screened cables having low smoke emission and corrosive gases when affected by fire. Multicore and multipair cables.
- BS EN 50200 – This is the testing method for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits.
- BS 8434-2 – This is the testing method for the assessment of the fire integrity of electric cables. Test for unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits. BS EN 50200 with a 930° flame with water spray.
- BS EN 60702-1 (IEC 60702-1) – These are harmonised mineral insulated cables with high fire performance. They are commonly used in emergency systems.
- BS7846 – These are LSZH fire performance power cables with XLPE or EPR insulation.
- BS5839-1 – This involves fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings. It is the code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises. It also incorporates Standard (PH30) and Enhanced (PH120) fire performance cables manufactured in accordance with BS7629-1, BS EN 50200, BS 8436-2, BS7846 and BS EN 60702-1.
Cable accessories
- This covers a wide range of BASEC approved cable accessories including cable lugs, cable glands and joints
Talk to the Experts
We understand that if you’re working on a home project, this information can be quite overwhelming. These standards do go much further in depth, but you can use this guide to help determine the quality you require. If you want to know more about these standards before you buy, our team is here to help. Get in touch with ABM electrical to learn more about these standards and the products we offer.
