UL flame tests

(1) I would like to get a guidance on the properties of PVC & HFFR jacketing compound required in a 4P Cat5 or Cat6 cable which is required to pass the flammability test for UL ratings of CMR (UL 1666) & CMG (FT4) respectively. I think LOI is one index but how much for which test and is there any other parameter.

(2) Other than the compound property which are the other factors which will effect the passing of the flammability tests of CMR (UL 1666) & CMG (FT4)cables.

For A Start, Some Definitions

C(UL) Certifications;
UL/NEC-Approved cables may also be C(UL)/CEC-Approved as communications cables meeting the requirements of the Bi-National Standard CSA C22.2 No. 214/UL 444 and Section 60 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC). The C(UL) cable designation (and its meaning) would be one of the following:

1. CMP — Cable meeting CSA FT6 or NFPA 262 (UL 910);
2. CMR — Cable meeting UL 1666, CSA FT4
3. CMG — Cable meeting CSA FT4
4. CM — Cable meeting UL 1685 (UL 1581, Sec. 1160) Vertical-Tray, CSA FT1
5. CMX — Cable meeting UL 1581, Sec. 1080 (VW-1), CSA FT1
6. CMH — Cable meeting CSA FT1

FT1 Vertical Flame Test — per C.S.A. C22.2 No. 0.3-92 Para 4.11.1

A finished cable shall not propagate a flame or continue to burn for more than one (1) minute after five (5) fifteen (15) second applications of the test flame. There is an interval of fifteen (15) seconds between flame applications. The flame test shall be performed in accordance with Para 4.11.1 of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard C22.2 No. 0.3. In addition, if more than 25% of the indicator flag is burned, the test cable fails. FT1 Cables can be used in Combustible buildings.

FT4 Vertical Flame Test — Cables in Cable Trays per C.S.A. C22.2 No. 0.3-92 Para 4.11.4

Cables in Cable Trays is similar to the UL-1685 Vertical Tray Flame Test, but is more severe. The FT4 test has its burner mounted at 20° from the horizontal with the burner ports facing up. The UL-1685 Vertical Tray has its burner at 0° from the horizontal. The FT4 samples must be larger than 13mm (.512″) in diameter. If not, then the cable samples are grouped in units of at least three (3) to obtain a grouped overall diameter of 13mm. The UL-1581 Vertical Tray does not distinguish on cable size. The FT4 has a maximum char height of 1.5 m (59″) measured from the lower edge of the burner face. The UL-1685 has a flame height allowable up to approximately 78″ measured from the burner. FT4 Cables can be used in Non-Combustible buildings.

FT6 Horizontal Flame & Smoke Test — per C.S.A. C22.2 No. 0.3-92 Appendix B

Products passing the FT6 Horizontal Flame and Smoke Test are designated FT6 in the column where the trade number appears. This test is for cables which must pass a Horizontal Flame and Smoke Test in accordance with ANSI/NFPA Standard 262-1985 (UL-910). The maximum flame spread shall be 1.50 meters (4.92 ft.). The smoke density shall be 0.5 at peak optical density and 0.15 at maximum average optical density.

Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) The minimum concentration of oxygen (as a percent of volume) that will support flaming combustion. Oxygen concentration in ambient air is 21%, and materials with an oxygen index above 21% will tend to be more resistant to fire than those below.

One can purchase C22.2 214-08 here:
www.shopcsa.ca/onlinestore/GetCatalogIte...ails.asp?mat=2419040

and UL 1666 16-Feb-2007 by searching the number of the specification here:
www.techstreet.com/info/ul.html


Regards
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com
519 641-3212

Hello again,

You may be able to get some help from these suppliers who have contacts on your particular area:

Faraotti Industrie Plastiche S.r.l. (Italy) www.fainplast.com/
PolyOne (US/ Worldwide) www.polyone.com/

Regards
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com
519 641-3212

Thanks for the information.
(1)Please inform the duration of flame application in the FT4 test. (Is it 20 minutes or 25 minutes)
(2) Also, does the standard CSA C22.2 No. 214 include C.S.A. C22.2 No. 0.3-92 Para 4.11.1 applicable for FT4 test.

Hello again,

I'm sorry but I do not have these specifications. I have however shown you where your company can purchase them.

I recommend that you contact both of them by E-mail first to make very sure that the full description of the tests and how to conduct them are indeed in these particular specifications. So often as I am sure you know, reference is given to some other specification. It is always a maze.

Regards
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com
519 641-3212