Why use LSZH?

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Many industries have seen an increasing demand for Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables. Main driver of this increase is the concerns for the safety of people and electronic circuits during fire. Environmental protection and an increase in requirements / specifications from local and international communities has also heightened the demand for LSZH cables.

This increased awareness of negative side effects arising from halogen when exposed to flames has lead to this jacket type being designed.

We answer some of the more frequently asked questions surrounding this cable type.

What is LSZH?

LSZH stands for Low Smoke Zero Halogen. It refers to a group of jacket and insulation compounds that do not contain halogens within their chemical makeup.  The terms LSOH, HFFR (Halogen Free Fire Retardant) and NHFR (Non Halogenated Fire Retardant) are often used interchangeably.

What are Halogens?

Halogens are a group of elements that are characterized by being 1 electron short of forming a stable molecule, as a result they are highly reactive and will combine with other elements in order to gain this missing electron. Halogens react with metals to form salts, common table salt is a mixture of the halogen chlorine and the metal sodium. When mixed with water, free hydrogen in water will combine with halogens to make acids. One of the most common acids being Hydrochloric acid which is a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine. Halogens can also mix with hydrogen (present in water) to create an acid. Hydrochloric acid used to acid etch concrete is a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine.

Why are Halogens used for flame retardancy?

Within some polymers, the introduction of a Halogen atom can produce a flame retardant capability. Poly-Vinyl-Chloride (PVC) is a common example and contains chlorine. When burned the chlorine is released and displaces oxygen from the flame thus helping to smother out the fire. Some flame retardant polyethylenes have bromine, another halogen, added in order to assist with flame retardancy.

What are the Side effects of Halogen when exposed to flames?

When combined with Hydrogen, Halogens form acids. These acids are toxic to animals and plants. Chlorine is an example where this characteristic is used in a controlled way to sterilize water by killing off microbes and bacteria. In the past, solutions based on the halogen iodine were also used for this application.

What about PVC?

When PVC burns, it releases Chlorine which is now free to combine with hydrogen to form an acid. This acid can burn lungs and eyes of people trying to flee the fire. It can also attack equipment that was not destroyed in the fire. Historical experience has shown that equipment located several rooms or floors away from a small fire can fail many months later due to attack by either halogen acids or salts.

What are the benefits of having LSZH cable?

LSZH compounds contain no halogens and instead rely on releasing water or other non-toxic compounds in order to put out a flame. As a result, they are safer for both people and the environment.

Where are LSZH cables predominantly used?

LSZH cables can be used anywhere a normal cable can be used. Typically they are of greater benefit in indoor or restricted spaces where their low toxicity in a fire is a great benefit. This means that they often find use in tunnels, offices, exchanges and datacentres.

Can I still achieve my Green Star credits with LSZH?

Yes, LSZH cables are suitable for Green Star applications. LSZH cabling is the safest choice for plenum use and any other applications in which smoke is likely to both build up and come into contact with people, since no harmful toxins are actually released. In line with our commitment to sustainability and reducing their impact on the earth, Madison Express offers Low Smoke Zero Halogen cables by Garland as an extension to their environmentally friendly Green Star rated range.

Today's growing awareness of the negative effects of halogens releasing large amounts of smoke and toxic gases when exposed to flames has led to a growing demand for low smoke zero halogen cables (LSZH) in many industries. So what exactly is low smoke zero halogen cable?

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What is LSZH Bulk Cable

Low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) ethernet bulk cable is constructed with a halogen-free jacket material, providing a flame-retardant solution well-suited for safety-conscious environments. LSZH ethernet bulk cables come in extensive lengths&#;commonly up to 500 or feet. The LSZH jacket ensures minimal emission of toxic gases in the event of combustion. In particular, they release less than 0.5% hydrochloric acid (HCl) gas when exposed to fire. Additionally, the absence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in cable construction not only enhances fire resistance but also greatly reduces the potential for smoke production.

Benefiting from the characteristics of halogen-free, LSZH ethernet bulk cables are popular in Europe, since the European market requires cables used in LANs, WANs, etc. meet LSZH specifications. These cables indeed comply with IEC and the European flame retardant standard CPR, and their compliance solves customers' worries. So how exactly do LSZH ethernet bulk cables perform better than other ethernet bulk cables?

Why Choose LSZH Bulk Cable?

The following four main advantages prompt us to choose low smoke zero halogen bulk cables.

Good safety performance: Adopting a new type of special coating material that is non-polluting to the environment, almost no acid gases like HCL and less smoke are released when LSZH cables burned, so in those important application scenarios like data centers, they will effectively prevent damage to equipment that is susceptible to corrosion and smoke damage to a certain extent. Moreover, the smoke concentration is low and the visibility is high, thereby reducing the risk of fire hazards.

Good fire resistance: LSZH cables have good flame retardancy and high fire resistance. In addition, LSZH cables are self-extinguishing. When they are used in cabling scenarios such as data centers, their self-extinguishing characteristics can inhibit the spread of flames and protect the scene to a certain extent.

Environmentally friendly: LSZH cables use an environmentally friendly insulating layer, sheath, and special oxygen barrier materials, with no halogen elements nor heavy metal elements such as lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury that are harmful to the human body and the environment. They will almost not cause environmental pollution and are healthy and relatively environmentally friendly.

Easy maintenance: LSZH cables have a lower friction coefficient than some non-low smoke and halogen-free sheaths, making subsequent maintenance and replacement easier.

The Application Scenarios

Now that we learned the above advantages of low smoke zero halogen cables, benefiting from these advantages, what are the appropriate application scenarios of LSZH ethernet bulk cables?

To leverage their intrinsic properties, the most notable of which is their low emission of toxic gases and smoke, LSZH cables are ideally being implemented in environments where ventilation is scarce, population density is high, or air circulation is notably poor. In such scenarios, the dispersal of smoke and toxicants is hampered, rendering the use of cables containing halogenated compounds (such as those with PVC or FEP insulation) inappropriate and potentially hazardous.

Their elevated safety performance and reduced environmental impact render them exceptionally suited to enclosed public spaces, substantial commercial edifices, and data centers where network reliability and human safety are of utmost priority. LSZH ethernet bulk cables are a conscientious commitment to safety and sustainability in densely populated or poorly ventilated constructions.

Common FAQs

What are Halogens?

Halogen elements constitute Group 17 of the periodic table and are comprised of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At). These elements are characterized by their highly reactive nature due to their ability to gain an electron to achieve a stable noble gas electronic configuration. Halogens are excellent low-cost flame retardants, so sometimes halogenated flame retardants are added to cable polymers to reduce their flammability, the most common of which are PVC ethernet bulk cables.

Can LSZH Bulk Cables be Used Outdoors?

LSZH bulk cables are conventionally not recommended for use in outdoor environments. Since they are not UV-resistant, waterproof, and weatherproof. When exposed to sunlight, moisture, and extreme temp, LSZH cables will become brittle and will largely shorten their lifespan. If there are outdoor application requirements, you are recommended to choose outdoor-rated ethernet bulk cable jacketed with a double-layer PVC and LEDP.

What is the Difference Between LSZH Cables and LSF Cables?

The main differences between LSZH and low smoke and fume cables (LSF) are materials, safety performance, and cost. LSZH cables use a halogen-free sheath and will not release toxic gases when burned. LSF cables use a resistant coating and modified PVC that still contain halogen elements and release toxic gases when burned. So LSZH cables have better safety performance. Given all this, it is recommended that you choose the appropriate cable based on your actual needs.

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