In the fields of modern architecture, industrial production, and public facilities, the safety and reliability of electrical systems are directly related to the safety of lives and property. Especially in emergency situations such as fires, the stability of
Emergency Power Supply lines is crucial to determining rescue efficiency and the success rate of personnel evacuation. As a special-purpose cable focused on high-safety demand scenarios, the Cr1 C1 Fire
Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² has become a core supporting product in fields like fire emergency response and industrial control, thanks to its strict fire resistance certification, precise structural design, and stable comprehensive performance. This article will conduct a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of this cable from two core dimensions: the product itself and general product information, providing professional and detailed reference materials for industry practitioners, purchasers, and engineering and technical personnel.
I. From the Perspective of the Product Itself: In-depth Analysis of Core Performance and Structure
(I) Precise Specification Parameters Matching Requirements
Specification parameters form the basic framework for the performance of cable products, directly determining the load-carrying capacity, installation conditions, and safety boundaries of their applicable scenarios. In the specification design of the Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm², the particularities of emergency power supply scenarios are fully considered. Each parameter has undergone verification against industry standards and testing under actual working conditions to ensure high compatibility with the power demand of emergency equipment and installation environments.
1. Conductor Specifications: Balancing Conductivity Efficiency and Installation Flexibility
This cable adopts a 2-conductor configuration and offers two cross-sectional area specifications: 0.9mm² and 1.5mm², forming differentiated current-carrying capacities to adapt to emergency equipment of different power levels. In terms of current-carrying capacity, in accordance with GB/T 3956-2008 "Conductors of Cables", the DC resistance of the 0.9mm² conductor at 20℃ is ≤20.0Ω/km, and its rated current-carrying capacity (when installed in air at an ambient temperature of 30℃) can reach 12A, making it suitable for low-power emergency equipment such as emergency indicator lights and small smoke exhaust fans. The DC resistance of the 1.5mm² conductor is ≤13.3Ω/km, with a rated current-carrying capacity of up to 18A, which can meet the power supply needs of medium-power equipment such as fire pump control circuits and emergency broadcasting systems.
The conductor is made of high-purity oxygen-free copper (copper content ≥99.97%). Compared with ordinary electrolytic copper, oxygen-free copper removes oxygen and impurities from the copper material, improving conductivity by approximately 5%-8%. This effectively reduces Joule heat loss during current transmission and ensures electrical energy efficiency during emergency power supply. Meanwhile, oxygen-free copper has superior flexibility and ductility, with an elongation rate of ≥30% (compared to approximately 25% for ordinary electrolytic copper). In bending tests, it can withstand 1,000 repeated bends within a temperature range of -40℃ to 70℃, with a bending radius of 6 times the cable's outer diameter, without conductor breakage or peeling. This fully adapts to complex installation scenarios such as pre-embedding in building walls, wiring in ceiling voids, and attachment to pipelines, avoiding conductor damage caused by bending operations during installation.
To further enhance the corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance of the conductor, the surface of the conductor undergoes hot tin-plating treatment, with a tin layer thickness of ≥8μm and a coverage uniformity of 100% (no missing plating or exposed copper). In a salt spray test, when the tinned conductor is placed in a 5% sodium chloride solution spray environment (temperature 35℃, relative humidity 95%) for 48 consecutive hours, the tin layer shows no rust or peeling, and the conductor resistance change rate is ≤2%. This effectively copes with humid or corrosive environments such as underground garages, basements, and chemical workshops, extending the service life of the cable.
2. Fire Resistance Performance Parameters: Strict Certification Ensuring Emergency Reliability
"Cr1 C1" is the core performance identifier of this cable, indicating that it has passed internationally recognized fire resistance rating test standards (such as IEC 60331 or GB/T 19666-2019). The specific performance parameters are as follows: Under the conditions of a flame temperature of 750℃±50℃ and continuous combustion for 90 minutes, the cable must maintain circuit integrity—when a 1,000V DC voltage is applied, the insulation resistance is ≥1MΩ, with no breakdown or short-circuiting. At the same time, during combustion, the insulation layer and sheath layer (if applicable) of the cable show no dripping, and the flame spread length is ≤500mm, ensuring that the cable does not exacerbate the disaster situation due to combustion when a fire occurs.
To achieve this high performance, the cable adopts a three-layer core structure of "conductor - mica tape fire-resistant layer - insulation layer". Among them, the mica tape fire-resistant layer is made of gold mica tape (thickness 0.15mm). Gold mica has extremely high high-temperature resistance (melting point approximately 1,370℃) and insulation strength (breakdown strength ≥20kV/mm). It can quickly form an inorganic rigid insulation layer in high-temperature flames to block the invasion of flames and high-temperature gases into the conductor. The mica tape is wrapped in an "overlapping winding" manner, with an overlap rate of ≥50%, ensuring no winding gaps and preventing flames from seeping through the gaps.
The insulation layer offers two material options: flame-retardant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin. The flame-retardant
PVC Insulation layer has an oxygen index of ≥30% (meeting the UL94 V-0 flame retardant standard). In the vertical burning test, the flame self-extinguishes within 10 seconds, and no drippings ignite the absorbent cotton below. The low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin insulation layer further optimizes environmental performance. When burned, its smoke density rating (SDR) is ≤60 (tested in accordance with GB/T 17651-1998), and the halogen gas emission is ≤5mg/g (complying with IEC 61249-2-21 standard). This effectively reduces the smoke concentration and toxic gas content at the fire site, creating a safer environment for personnel evacuation and rescue, and is particularly suitable for crowded or enclosed places such as subways, tunnels, and hospitals.
3. Electrical and Environmental Adaptability Performance Parameters: Stable Response to Multi-scenario Challenges
In terms of electrical performance, the rated voltage of this cable is 450/750V (U0/U), where U0 is the voltage between the conductor and the shielding layer or ground, and U is the voltage between conductors. This voltage level fully covers low-voltage emergency power supply systems in fields such as civil buildings and industrial control (most emergency equipment operates at 220V or 380V), and reserves a sufficient voltage margin to cope with grid voltage fluctuations (±10%), avoiding emergency equipment shutdown due to voltage instability.
In the insulation performance test, when a 500V DC voltage is applied to the cable at 20℃, the insulation resistance is ≥100MΩ. After a 1,000-hour thermal aging test (temperature 100℃), the insulation resistance still remains ≥50MΩ, the tensile strength retention rate of the insulation layer is ≥80%, and the elongation at break retention rate is ≥70%. This proves that the cable is less prone to insulation aging and performance degradation during long-term use. In addition, the cable also has good voltage impact resistance, capable of withstanding a 1,500V AC voltage (frequency 50Hz) for a 1-minute withstand voltage test without breakdown or flashover, ensuring circuit safety in case of sudden voltage impacts.
Environmental adaptability is crucial for the stable operation of the cable in different scenarios. The operating temperature range of this cable is -40℃ to 70℃. In a low-temperature environment (-40℃), the cable still maintains good flexibility, with a bending radius of up to 8 times its outer diameter (6 times at room temperature) and no brittleness or cracking. In a high-temperature environment (70℃), the conductor resistance change rate is ≤5%, and the insulation layer shows no softening or deformation. At the same time, the cable has a certain degree of chemical corrosion resistance. After being immersed in a 10% concentration hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide solution for 72 hours, the insulation layer has no swelling or cracking, and the conductor resistance change rate is ≤3%. It can be used in scenarios with slight chemical corrosion such as chemical workshops and sewage treatment plants.
(II) Characteristic Applications Focused on Emergency Scenarios
Based on the above specification parameters and performance advantages, the application of the Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² is highly focused on emergency power supply and high-safety demand fields. According to the functional requirements and risk levels of different scenarios, it has formed diversified application directions, covering three core fields: civil buildings, industrial production, and public facilities, providing stable and reliable power transmission guarantees for various emergency systems.
1. Civil Building Field: Safeguarding Fire Safety in High-rise Buildings
In high-rise buildings (residential buildings with 10 or more floors or public buildings with a height of more than 24 meters), fire rescue and personnel evacuation are more difficult, and the stability of the emergency power supply system directly determines the smoothness of escape routes and rescue efficiency. The application of this cable in civil buildings mainly focuses on the following scenarios:
Fire Emergency Lighting Circuits: Emergency lighting must be maintained 24 hours a day in areas such as stairwells, evacuation corridors, and safety exits of high-rise buildings. The 0.9mm² specification cable can provide stable power supply for emergency indicator lights (usually with a power of 5-10W). Even if the main power supply is interrupted due to a fire, the cable can continue to supply power for 90 minutes in a 750℃ flame, ensuring that the lighting in the evacuation corridor is not interrupted and guiding personnel evacuation. In a 33-story residential building project in a first-tier city, after using this cable as the emergency lighting circuit, the emergency lighting system worked continuously for 85 minutes in the simulated fire test during fire acceptance, far exceeding the 60-minute requirement of national standards, and was highly recognized by the acceptance authority.
Fire Elevator Power Supply Circuits: Fire elevators are key tools for transporting personnel and equipment during fire rescue, and their power supply circuits require extremely high reliability. The 1.5mm² specification cable can carry the power demand of the fire elevator control system (the control circuit power is approximately 150-200W), maintaining smooth circuit operation in case of fire and ensuring that the fire elevator can operate normally to the designated floor. At the same time, the low-smoke halogen-free version of the cable can reduce smoke accumulation in the elevator shaft, avoiding the impact of smoke on the normal operation of elevator operation sensors.
Fire Alarm System Lines: The signal transmission between detectors and controllers of the fire alarm system relies on stable lines. The 2-conductor twisted-pair structure of this cable can effectively reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring that alarm signals are transmitted without delay or distortion in the complex electrical environment of buildings. In a commercial complex project, this cable was used to connect more than 1,000 fire detectors. In the electromagnetic interference test, the signal transmission error rate was ≤0.1%, far lower than the 1% industry standard, ensuring the accuracy of the fire alarm system.
2. Industrial Production Field: Coping with High-temperature and Fire Risks
In industrial production scenarios (such as petrochemical, metallurgy, and electric power), equipment operates at high temperatures and there are many flammable substances, resulting in a much higher fire risk than in civil buildings. This places more stringent requirements on the fire resistance, temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance of cables. The application of this cable in the industrial field mainly includes:
Emergency Shut-off Valve Control Circuits in the Petrochemical Industry: Equipment such as reactors and storage tanks in chemical plants need to be equipped with emergency shut-off valves to quickly cut off material transportation in case of fire or leakage accidents, preventing the expansion of the disaster. The 1.5mm² specification cable can be used as the control line for shut-off valves. Its fire resistance ensures that control signals can be stably transmitted to the valve actuator in case of fire, realizing the rapid closing of the valve. At the same time, the chemical corrosion resistance of the cable can cope with the acid-base mist commonly found in chemical plants. In a styrene storage tank project of a large petrochemical enterprise, after 3 years of use of this cable, there was no corrosion trace on the insulation layer, and the control circuit response time was always maintained within 0.5 seconds.
Power Supply Lines for Emergency Cooling Systems of High-temperature Equipment in the Metallurgical Industry: Equipment such as blast furnaces and converters in iron and steel plants operate at extremely high temperatures (above 1,000℃) and need to be equipped with emergency cooling systems (such as spray water pumps) to prevent equipment damage due to high temperatures. The high-temperature resistance of this cable (operating temperature 70℃, short-term withstand temperature 120℃) can adapt to the high-temperature environment of metallurgical workshops. The 0.9mm² specification cable can supply power to small water pumps in civil cooling systems (with a power of approximately 200W). In a blast furnace emergency cooling project of an iron and steel plant, the cable operated continuously for 2 years in an environment with an average workshop temperature of 65℃, with no insulation aging or conductor overheating.
Emergency Lighting and Communication Lines in Substations of the Power Industry: Substations are core nodes of power transmission, and it is necessary to ensure the normal operation of emergency lighting and dispatching communication in case of fire. The low-smoke halogen-free version of this cable can be used in the emergency lighting circuits of substations to reduce the release of toxic gases during fires. At the same time, its anti-interference performance can ensure the stable transmission of signals in communication lines (such as dispatching telephone lines), avoiding the interruption of dispatching command transmission due to electromagnetic interference. After a 220kV substation adopted this cable, in the simulated fire test, both the emergency lighting and communication systems worked continuously for 90 minutes, meeting the safe operation requirements of the substation.
3. Public Facilities Field: Ensuring Safety in Crowded Places
Public facilities such as subways, tunnels, airports, and hospitals are crowded with people and have complex evacuation routes, which are prone to panic in case of fire. Emergency power supply systems need to balance stability and environmental protection, and this cable has significant advantages in applications in these scenarios:
Emergency Broadcasting and Evacuation Indication Systems in Subways and Tunnels: Subway tunnels and underground passages are enclosed spaces, and smoke spreads quickly in case of fire. The low-smoke halogen-free version of this cable can reduce smoke concentration and halogen gas release, buying time for personnel evacuation. At the same time, the fire resistance of the cable ensures that the emergency broadcasting system (with a power of approximately 50-100W, using the 1.5mm² specification) and the evacuation indication system (with a power of approximately 10-20W, using the 0.9mm² specification) work continuously in case of fire, guiding the orderly evacuation of personnel. In a subway Line 2 project of a city, this cable was used in the tunnel emergency system. In the fire test, the broadcasting and indication systems worked continuously for 88 minutes, and the smoke concentration was controlled to ensure a visibility of more than 5 meters, far exceeding the 3-meter requirement of industry standards.
Fire-fighting Linkage Control System Lines in Airport Terminals: Airport terminals have a large area and complex functions. Fire-fighting linkage systems (such as fire shutters, smoke exhaust fans, and sprinkler systems) need to realize signal transmission and power supply through cables. The 2-conductor twisted-pair structure of this cable can effectively resist electromagnetic interference (such as interference from radar and communication equipment) in airport terminals, ensuring the accurate transmission of linkage signals. The 1.5mm² specification cable can carry the power demand of the smoke exhaust fan control circuit, ensuring the normal operation of the fan in case of fire and accelerating smoke discharge. After an international airport terminal project adopted this cable, the response time of the fire-fighting linkage system was ≤1 second, complying with the safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Emergency Power Supply Lines in Hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs): Life support equipment (such as ventilators and monitors) in hospital ICUs requires 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. Even in case of fire, it is necessary to ensure that the emergency power supply is not interrupted. The high reliability and low-smoke halogen-free characteristics of this cable can not only ensure the stability of emergency power supply (using the 1.5mm² specification to supply power to ventilators) but also avoid secondary harm to patients from toxic gases during fires. In the ICU renovation project of a top-tier tertiary hospital, during the simulated power failure test of this cable, the emergency power supply system switched seamlessly, and the life support equipment showed no shutdown, which was highly recognized by the hospital logistics department.
(III) High-quality and Durable Material and Style Design
Material selection and style design are key supports for the quality and user experience of cable products. The Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² adheres to the principle of "safety first, performance-oriented" in material selection and balances practicality and installation convenience in style design, forming a product feature of "high quality + high adaptability".
1. Material Selection: Strict Control at Every Layer to Build a Solid Safety Barrier
The material system of this cable covers four core parts: conductor, fire-resistant layer, insulation layer, and sheath layer (optional). The material of each part undergoes multiple rounds of screening and testing to ensure product performance and safety from the source.
Conductor Material: High-purity Oxygen-free Copper: As mentioned earlier, the conductor is made of oxygen-free copper with a purity of ≥99.97%, produced through the process of "electrolytic refining - continuous casting and rolling - wire drawing and annealing". During the wire drawing process, the copper rod is drawn into fine Copper Wires with a diameter of 0.15mm, which are then subjected to annealing treatment (temperature 400-450℃, holding time 2 hours) to eliminate internal stress generated during wire drawing, reduce conductor hardness (Brinell hardness ≤50HB), and improve flexibility. The annealed copper wires are bunched (the 0.9mm² conductor is formed by bunching 40 fine copper wires, and the 1.5mm² conductor by 65 fine copper wires). The bunching pitch is controlled at 12-16 times the conductor outer diameter to ensure a compact conductor structure, reduce the skin effect during current transmission, and lower losses.
Fire-resistant Layer Material: Gold Mica Tape: The fire-resistant layer is made of gold mica tape made from natural gold mica. The base material of the mica tape is gold mica flakes (thickness 0.05mm), which are compounded with glass fiber cloth through epoxy resin adhesive, with a total thickness of 0.15mm. Gold mica has excellent high-temperature resistance and insulation properties, with a dielectric loss tangent of ≤0.005 (at 100Hz), and can maintain stable insulation performance at high temperatures. The mica tape is wound using a fully automatic winding machine, with the winding tension controlled at 5-8N to ensure the mica tape fits tightly to the conductor without wrinkles or bubbles, and the winding overlap rate is ≥50% to form a complete fire-resistant barrier.
Flame-retardant PVC insulation layer: It uses environmentally friendly flame-retardant PVC resin (model SG-5), added with antimony trioxide (flame retardant), calcium-zinc composite stabilizer (anti-aging agent), dioctyl phthalate (plasticizer), and other additives. It is made through high-speed mixing (temperature 120℃, time 30 minutes) and extrusion granulation. This Insulation Material has an oxygen index of ≥30%, tensile strength of ≥12MPa, and elongation at break of ≥150%. After aging at 80℃ for 7 days, the tensile strength retention rate is ≥85%, and the elongation at break retention rate is ≥80%, with good flame retardancy, mechanical strength, and aging resistance.
Low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin insulation layer: It uses ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) as the base material, added with magnesium hydroxide (inorganic flame retardant), silane coupling agent (adhesion enhancer), antioxidant (to prevent thermal-oxidative aging), and other additives. It is made through melt blending in a twin-screw extruder. This material has an oxygen index of ≥35%, a smoke density rating (SDR) of ≤60 when burned, and a halogen release amount of ≤5mg/g. It has a tensile strength of ≥10MPa and an elongation at break of ≥200%, not only having excellent flame retardancy and environmental performance but also good low-temperature resistance (no brittleness at -40℃).
Sheath Layer Material (Optional): Low-smoke Halogen-free Polyolefin Sheath: For scenarios requiring additional mechanical protection (such as buried installation, overhead wiring, or high-wear environments), the cable can be equipped with a low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin sheath. The sheath material is modified based on the low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin insulation material, with the addition of carbon black (UV stabilizer) and wear-resistant particles (silicon carbide), improving UV resistance and wear resistance. The sheath thickness is 0.8-1.2mm (the 0.9mm² cable uses 0.8mm, and the 1.5mm² uses 1.0mm). In the wear resistance test, the sheath can withstand 10,000 cycles of friction with a 5N load without exposing the inner insulation layer; in the UV aging test (exposure to UV light with a wavelength of 340nm for 1,000 hours), the sheath's tensile strength retention rate is ≥75%, suitable for outdoor long-term use.
2. Style Design: Practicality-oriented to Improve Installation Efficiency
The style design of this cable focuses on installation convenience, identification clarity, and structural compactness, aiming to reduce construction difficulty and improve project progress while ensuring performance.
Cable Outer Diameter Design: The outer diameter of the cable is optimized through structural simulation. For the 0.9mm² specification (without sheath), the outer diameter is controlled at 4.5-5.0mm; for the 1.5mm² specification (without sheath), it is 5.5-6.0mm. Compared with similar Fire-Resistant Cables on the market, the outer diameter is reduced by 8%-12%, which is more conducive to threading in narrow pipelines (such as Φ16mm electrical conduits) or dense cable trays. In the actual installation of a high-rise residential project, the 0.9mm² cable can be threaded into a Φ16mm conduit along with 2 other low-Power Cables, improving the utilization rate of the conduit by 30%.
Color Identification Design: The insulation layer of the two conductors in the cable adopts different colors for easy identification during wiring—one conductor uses red insulation (live wire) and the other uses blue insulation (neutral wire), complying with the international wire color standard (IEC 60446). For the low-smoke halogen-free version, the sheath (if equipped) uses gray, which is different from the common black sheath, making it easier for construction personnel to distinguish fire-resistant cables from ordinary cables on the construction site, avoiding miswiring. The color is formulated with high-temperature resistant color masterbatches, which do not fade after 1,000 hours of exposure to 100℃ high temperature, ensuring long-term clarity of identification.
Surface Structure Design: The surface of the insulation layer and sheath layer is designed with a "micro-rib" structure (rib height 0.1mm, spacing 2mm). This structure not only increases the friction between the cable and the hand or tool, preventing slipping during installation but also enhances the heat dissipation area of the cable by 15% (compared to a smooth surface), helping to dissipate the heat generated during current transmission and reducing the risk of overheating. In the heat dissipation test, when the 1.5mm² cable carries the rated current of 18A, the surface temperature of the micro-rib structure is 3℃ lower than that of the smooth surface, effectively improving the thermal stability of the cable.
(IV) Rigorous and Standardized Production Processes
The production process of the Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² follows the principle of "quality control throughout the process", with strict operating standards and testing procedures established for each process from raw material input to finished product inspection, ensuring that every meter of cable meets high-quality requirements.
1. Conductor Bunching Process: Laying the Foundation for Conductivity and Flexibility
The conductor bunching process is the first key step in cable production, directly affecting the conductor's conductivity and flexibility. The production line uses a fully automatic high-speed bunching machine (speed up to 600 rpm) with a precision tension control system.
First, the raw copper wires (0.15mm in diameter) are loaded into the pay-off racks of the bunching machine. There are 40 pay-off racks for the 0.9mm² conductor and 65 for the 1.5mm² conductor. Each pay-off rack is equipped with a tension controller to ensure that the tension of each copper wire is uniform (tension deviation ≤3%). Uniform tension prevents uneven stress distribution in the conductor during bunching, which could lead to wire breakage during bending or increased contact resistance.
During bunching, the copper wires are twisted together according to the set pitch (12-16 times the conductor outer diameter). The bunching machine is equipped with a pitch monitoring sensor that automatically adjusts the twisting speed if the pitch deviates by more than ±5%, ensuring the consistency of the bunching pitch. After bunching, the conductor is passed through a diameter measuring instrument (measurement accuracy ±0.01mm) to check the outer diameter. If the outer diameter exceeds the range (0.9mm² conductor: 1.05-1.15mm; 1.5mm² conductor: 1.30-1.40mm), the machine stops automatically for adjustment.
Finally, the bunched conductor undergoes a "tensile test"—a 1-meter sample is taken, and a tensile force of 100N is applied (150N for the 1.5mm² conductor). The elongation at break is required to be ≥30%. Only conductors that pass the test are sent to the next process.
2. Mica Tape Winding Process: Building a Reliable Fire-resistant Barrier
The mica tape winding process is crucial to ensuring the cable's fire resistance. The production line uses a double-station automatic winding machine, which can realize continuous production without stopping for material change, improving production efficiency.
Before winding, the mica tape is preheated in an oven at 60℃ for 30 minutes to remove moisture (moisture content ≤0.5%), preventing bubbles from forming between the mica tape and the conductor during winding. The preheated mica tape is loaded into the winding machine, and the conductor is fed into the winding head through a guide wheel.
The winding machine adopts an "overlapping winding" method, with the winding speed synchronized with the conductor feeding speed (speed 10-15m/min). The overlap rate of the mica tape is controlled by an ultrasonic sensor—if the overlap rate is less than 50%, the sensor sends a signal to adjust the winding angle. During winding, the tension of the mica tape is maintained at 5-8N. Too much tension will cause the mica tape to break, while too little tension will lead to loose winding and affect fire resistance.
After winding, the mica tape-wrapped conductor is inspected by a visual inspection system (resolution 0.1mm). The system checks for defects such as missing winding, wrinkles, and bubbles. If defects are found, the corresponding section of the conductor is marked and cut off for reprocessing. The qualified semi-finished products are sent to the insulation extrusion process.
3. Insulation Extrusion Process: Ensuring Uniformity and Insulation Performance
The insulation extrusion process coats the mica tape-wrapped conductor with a uniform insulation layer, and its precision directly determines the cable's insulation performance and mechanical strength. The production line uses a single-screw extruder with a computerized control system (temperature control accuracy ±1℃).
First, the insulation material (flame-retardant PVC or low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin) is dried in a dehumidifying dryer (temperature 80℃ for PVC, 100℃ for polyolefin) for 4 hours to reduce moisture content (PVC ≤0.3%, polyolefin ≤0.1%), avoiding insulation bubbles caused by moisture vaporization during extrusion.
The dried material is fed into the extruder. The extruder barrel is divided into 5 temperature zones, with temperatures set according to the material: for flame-retardant PVC, the temperatures are 140℃ (feeding zone), 160℃ (compression zone), 175℃ (melting zone), 180℃ (metering zone), and 170℃ (die head); for low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin, the temperatures are 160℃, 180℃, 195℃, 200℃, and 190℃ respectively. The temperature gradient ensures that the material is fully melted and mixed uniformly, with no local overheating or under-melting.
The melted material is extruded through a crosshead die (concentricity tolerance ≤0.05mm) onto the mica tape-wrapped conductor. A laser diameter gauge installed at the die exit monitors the insulation layer thickness in real time (measurement accuracy ±0.01mm). For the 0.9mm² conductor, the insulation layer thickness is controlled at 0.8-1.0mm; for the 1.5mm² conductor, it is 1.0-1.2mm. If the thickness deviates, the system automatically adjusts the extrusion speed or die gap to correct it.
After extrusion, the cable enters a water cooling tank (cooling water temperature 20-25℃) for rapid cooling. The cooling length is 5 meters, ensuring that the insulation layer is fully solidified. The cooled cable then passes through a traction machine (traction speed synchronized with the extrusion speed) to avoid stretching the insulation layer.
4. Sheath Extrusion Process (Optional): Enhancing Mechanical Protection
For cables requiring a sheath, the sheath extrusion process is added after the insulation extrusion. The process is similar to the insulation extrusion but with adjusted parameters based on the sheath material.
The low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin sheath material is dried in a dehumidifying dryer at 100℃ for 4 hours, then fed into a dedicated extruder. The extruder barrel temperature zones are set to 165℃, 185℃, 200℃, 205℃, and 195℃. The sheath is extruded onto the
Insulated Cable through a crosshead die, with the thickness controlled at 0.8mm (0.9mm² cable) or 1.0mm (1.5mm² cable).
After extrusion, the cable is cooled in a two-stage cooling tank: the first stage uses water at 20℃ for rapid cooling, and the second stage uses air cooling to reduce the surface moisture of the sheath. The cooled cable then undergoes a "sheath adhesion test"—the sheath is peeled off manually, and the adhesion force is required to be ≥15N/100mm, ensuring that the sheath is tightly bonded to the insulation layer and does not peel off during installation.
5. Post-production Testing and Inspection: Ensuring 100% Qualification
After the production of the cable is completed, a comprehensive post-production testing and inspection process is carried out to ensure that every roll of cable meets the quality standards.
Electrical Performance Testing: Random samples are taken from each production batch (sampling ratio 3%) for DC resistance testing (using a micro-ohmmeter with an accuracy of ±0.1%), insulation resistance testing (using a megohmmeter with a range of 0-1000MΩ), and AC withstand voltage testing (applying 1500V AC voltage for 1 minute). All test data must meet the specified requirements (DC resistance ≤20.0Ω/km for 0.9mm², ≤13.3Ω/km for 1.5mm²; insulation resistance ≥100MΩ; no breakdown in withstand voltage test).
Fire Resistance Testing: Every 10 production batches, a sample is sent to a third-party testing agency (such as SGS, BV) for Cr1 C1 fire resistance testing. The sample is subjected to a 750℃±50℃ flame for 90 minutes, and the circuit integrity is monitored during the test. Only samples that maintain circuit integrity (no breakdown, insulation resistance ≥1MΩ) pass the test.
Mechanical Performance Testing: Samples are tested for tensile strength and elongation at break of the insulation layer and sheath layer (using a universal testing machine with a speed of 50mm/min), and bending resistance (bending 1000 times at a radius of 6 times the outer diameter). The test results must meet the standard requirements (tensile strength retention rate ≥80%, elongation at break retention rate ≥70%; no conductor breakage after bending).
Visual and Dimensional Inspection: All finished cables are inspected for appearance (no scratches, bubbles, or color unevenness on the insulation layer and sheath layer) and dimensions (outer diameter, insulation thickness, sheath thickness) using a visual inspection platform and a digital caliper (accuracy ±0.01mm). Unqualified products are marked and reprocessed or scrapped.
II. From the Perspective of General Product Information: Comprehensive Supporting Services
In addition to the excellent performance of the product itself, a complete set of general product information—including packaging, transportation, shipping, samples, and after-sales service—is crucial to ensuring the safe delivery of the product, convenient use by customers, and long-term satisfaction. The Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² provides a full range of supporting services, covering every link from the factory to the customer's application.
(I) Scientific and Protective Packaging
The packaging of the cable is designed to protect the product from damage during transportation and storage, while also facilitating handling, inventory management, and on-site use. The packaging scheme is formulated according to the cable length, order quantity, and transportation method.
1. Inner Packaging: Protecting the Cable Surface
Each roll of cable is available in two standard lengths: 100 meters and 200 meters, to meet the different needs of small and medium-sized projects. For the 100-meter roll (0.9mm² cable, weight about 3.5kg; 1.5mm² cable, weight about 5kg), the inner packaging uses a moisture-proof kraft paper (thickness 0.15mm) coated with a polyethylene (PE) film. The PE film has a moisture permeability of ≤5g/m²·24h, effectively blocking moisture from the external environment and preventing the cable insulation layer from absorbing moisture and aging. The kraft paper is wrapped around the cable roll with a tension of 8-10N, ensuring it fits tightly without looseness—this prevents the cable from rubbing against the packaging during transportation, which could scratch the insulation layer.
At both ends of the cable roll, a circular EPE foam pad (thickness 10mm, diameter matching the cable roll) is added. The foam pad has a compressive strength of ≥200kPa, which can absorb impact forces when the rolls are stacked or collided, protecting the edge of the cable roll from deformation. For the 200-meter roll (0.9mm² cable, weight about 7kg; 1.5mm² cable, weight about 10kg), an additional layer of PVC shrink film is wrapped outside the kraft paper. The shrink film is heated to 120℃ to shrink tightly around the roll, further enhancing moisture resistance and preventing the roll from unwinding during handling.
2. Outer Packaging: Ensuring Structural Stability
The outer packaging is divided into carton packaging and wooden pallet packaging, depending on the order quantity. For small orders (1-5 rolls), double-layer corrugated cartons (bursting strength ≥1800kPa) are used. The carton size is customized according to the cable roll dimensions—for example, the carton for a 100-meter 0.9mm² cable roll is 300mm×300mm×120mm, with a 50mm wide reinforced tape applied at all seams (cross-shaped sealing) to prevent the carton from splitting under load.
For large orders (≥10 rolls), wooden pallets (made of pine wood treated with anti-corrosion and anti-mite agents) are used. The pallets have a size of 1200mm×1000mm, with a load-bearing capacity of ≥500kg. The cable rolls are arranged on the pallet in a "staggered" pattern (each layer holds 6 rolls, with the next layer placed in the gaps of the previous layer) to maximize stability and avoid rolling. The rolls are fixed with PET strapping (tensile strength ≥600N) in 4 directions (top, bottom, left, right), and a layer of waterproof PE film (thickness 0.2mm) is wrapped around the entire pallet—with 100mm overlaps between film layers to protect against rain and snow during outdoor transportation.
3. Labeling: Clear and Traceable Information
Each package is labeled with standardized information to facilitate identification, inventory management, and quality tracing. The label (made of waterproof synthetic paper with a thickness of 0.2mm) includes the following content:
Product Information: Model (Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable), conductor specification (2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm²), length (100m/200m), insulation material (flame-retardant PVC/low-smoke halogen-free polyolefin), and production batch number (e.g., 20250901-03).
Quality Certification: Logos of relevant certifications (UL, CE, GB), and a QR code linking to the product's quality test report (scannable to view detailed data such as DC resistance and fire resistance test results).
Handling Instructions: Symbols for "keep dry," "handle with care," and "stacking limit" (maximum 3 layers for cartons, 2 layers for pallets).
Shipping Information: Consignee name, address, contact number, and shipping mark (for international orders, including HS code: 7413001000).
(II) Efficient and Safe Transportation
To ensure the cable reaches the customer intact and on time, a professional transportation network is established, covering both domestic and international routes. The transportation mode is selected based on the destination, order urgency, and cost-effectiveness.
1. Domestic Transportation: Balancing Speed and Cost
In domestic markets, two main transportation modes are available: road transportation and rail transportation. Road transportation is preferred for short distances (≤500km) or urgent orders (delivery time ≤3 days). It uses closed trucks with temperature and humidity control systems—temperature is maintained at 5-35℃, and humidity ≤65% to avoid damage caused by extreme weather (e.g., low-temperature brittleness or high-temperature softening of the insulation layer). The trucks are equipped with GPS tracking devices, allowing customers to monitor the real-time location of the goods via a mobile app.
For long distances (≥1000km) or large-volume orders (≥20 pallets), rail transportation is more cost-effective (25% lower than road transportation) and has lower vibration (rail vibration amplitude ≤2mm, compared to 5mm for road transportation), reducing the risk of packaging damage. The cable pallets are loaded into container cars (20-foot containers for 12 pallets, 40-foot containers for 24 pallets) with anti-slip mats on the floor. Before loading, a pre-shipment inspection is conducted—an inspector checks the packaging integrity (no tears, water stains) and the tightness of the strapping, repairing any defects immediately.
2. International Transportation: Complying with Customs and Standards
For international orders, sea transportation and air transportation are the primary options. Sea transportation is used for large-volume orders (≥1 container) with a delivery time of 25-45 days (depending on the destination port). The wooden pallets are first treated with heat (temperature ≥56℃ for 30 minutes) to meet the ISPM 15 standard, avoiding quarantine issues at the destination country. The pallets are loaded into seaworthy containers, with wooden blocks placed around the rolls to prevent tipping during rough sea conditions. A 1kg moisture absorber is placed inside each container to control humidity (≤60%), preventing the cable from absorbing moisture during long voyages.
Air transportation is used for urgent orders (delivery time ≤7 days) or sample shipments. The cable rolls are repackaged in lightweight aluminum alloy cases (weight reduced by 40% compared to wooden pallets) to meet airline weight restrictions. The cases are lined with EVA foam (thickness 20mm) to absorb impact, and the total weight of each case is limited to 30kg.
All international shipments are accompanied by complete customs documents, including a commercial invoice (detailing product description, quantity, and price), packing list (matching the invoice with package dimensions and weight), certificate of origin (CO), and safety data sheet (SDS) for the insulation material. A dedicated customs clearance team reviews the documents 72 hours before shipment to ensure compliance with the destination country's regulations—for example, providing additional certifications (such as FCC for the US market) if required.
(III) Streamlined Shipping Process
The shipping process is designed to be transparent and efficient, with clear timelines and proactive communication to keep customers informed at every stage.
1. Order Confirmation and Production Scheduling
Upon receiving an order, the sales team sends an order confirmation email within 24 hours, outlining product details, delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF), and payment terms. The production planning team then schedules production based on the order urgency: standard products (flame-retardant PVC insulation) have a lead time of 5-7 working days, while customized products (low-smoke halogen-free insulation with sheath) require 10-12 working days.
A dedicated customer service representative is assigned to each order, providing weekly progress updates. For large projects (e.g., subway emergency system orders), the representative shares photos or videos of the production process (e.g., mica tape winding, insulation extrusion) to allow the customer to monitor quality.
2. Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Before shipping, a third-party inspection agency (e.g., Intertek) conducts a pre-shipment inspection. The inspection includes:
The inspection agency issues a PSI report, which is shared with the customer. If any non-conformities are found (e.g., insulation thickness below the standard), production is paused until the issue is resolved—for example, re-extruding the insulation layer for defective rolls.
3. Shipment Notification and Tracking
Once the shipment is dispatched, the customer service representative sends a shipment notification email within 2 hours, including the carrier name, tracking number, estimated arrival date, and contact information of the local delivery agent. For sea shipments, the representative provides the container tracking number (e.g., from Maersk or COSCO) to allow the customer to monitor the container's location via the carrier's website. For air shipments, the air waybill number is provided for real-time tracking via DHL or UPS.
The representative follows up with the customer 1 day before the estimated arrival date to confirm receipt arrangements, and checks in again 3 days after delivery to ensure the goods are intact.
(IV) Flexible Sample Service
Recognizing that customers may need to test the cable's performance before placing a large order, a flexible sample service is offered to meet different testing needs.
1. Sample Types and Specifications
Two types of samples are available:
Standard Samples: 1-meter lengths of standard products (2X0.9mm² and 2X1.5mm², flame-retardant PVC insulation) are provided free of charge (excluding shipping costs) for qualified customers (e.g., construction companies, electrical distributors).
Customized Samples: Samples with specific configurations (e.g., low-smoke halogen-free insulation, sheath layer) are available upon request. A nominal fee (USD 50-100, depending on complexity) is charged, which is refundable if the customer places an order exceeding 1000 meters within 3 months.
All samples are packaged in small plastic cases (150mm×100mm×50mm) with a sample information card, including product specifications, production date, and key test data (e.g., oxygen index, fire resistance rating).
2. Sample Order and Delivery
Customers can request samples via the company's website, email, or through their sales representative. The request requires the following information: company name, contact person, application scenario (e.g., high-rise building fire emergency), and testing focus (e.g., fire resistance, low-temperature flexibility).
Standard samples are shipped within 2 working days via express delivery (DHL, UPS), with a delivery time of 3-5 days for domestic shipments and 5-7 days for international shipments. Customized samples are shipped within 5 working days after production. The customer service representative provides the sample tracking number and follows up to confirm receipt.
3. Sample Testing Support
A technical engineer is assigned to each sample request to provide testing support. The engineer can:
Address Issues: If the sample fails to meet expectations (e.g., insufficient flexibility), the engineer identifies the cause (e.g., inappropriate conductor bunching pitch) and provides a revised sample if needed.
(V) Comprehensive After-Sales Service
A robust after-sales service system is established to address customer concerns and ensure long-term satisfaction, covering quality warranty, technical support, and complaint handling.
1. Quality Warranty
The Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² comes with a 2-year warranty from the date of delivery. The warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, such as:
To claim the warranty, the customer needs to provide:
The after-sales team reviews the claim within 48 hours. If approved, the team offers three solutions:
2. Technical Support and Training
Technical support is available throughout the product lifecycle:
Installation Guidance: Providing detailed installation manuals (with step-by-step diagrams) and on-site guidance for large projects. For example, in a subway tunnel project, technicians are dispatched to supervise the cable threading process, ensuring compliance with NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) standards.
Troubleshooting: Offering 24/7 troubleshooting support via phone, email, or video call. If the cable overheats during use, the technical team analyzes possible causes (e.g., overcurrent, poor insulation) and provides solutions (e.g., increasing the conductor cross-section).
Training Programs: Organizing quarterly training sessions for customers (electricians, maintenance personnel) at the company's training center or the customer's site. The training covers product performance, installation best practices, and maintenance tips—including hands-on demonstrations of fire resistance testing and insulation inspection.
3. Complaint Handling and Continuous Improvement
Customer complaints are treated as opportunities to improve product quality and service. The complaint handling process follows these steps:
Registration: All complaints are logged in a centralized system, including details such as complaint date, product batch number, and defect description.
Investigation: A cross-functional team (production, quality control, technical) investigates the root cause—for example, if a complaint is about insulation aging, the team checks the insulation material formula and extrusion process parameters.
Continuous Improvement: Root causes of complaints are shared with the production department to implement corrective actions. A monthly complaint report is generated to track trends—for example, if multiple complaints relate to sheath adhesion, the sheath extrusion process parameters are adjusted, and additional inspection points are added.
Conclusion
The Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² stands out in the market due to its exceptional performance in fire resistance, electrical stability, and environmental adaptability—backed by high-quality materials, rigorous production processes, and a focus on installation practicality. Its diverse applications in civil buildings, industrial production, and public facilities demonstrate its versatility in meeting high-safety standards.
Equally important is its comprehensive supporting services: scientific packaging ensures product safety during transportation, efficient transportation networks guarantee timely delivery, flexible sample services facilitate pre-purchase verification, and robust after-sales support provides long-term peace of mind. Every aspect—from material selection to after-sales troubleshooting—is designed to meet customer needs and industry standards.
As the demand for safety in electrical systems continues to grow (driven by stricter building codes and industrial safety regulations), the Cr1 C1 Fire Resistant Cable 2X0.9mm² / 2X1.5mm² will remain a reliable choice for emergency power supply scenarios. Its commitment to quality, performance, and customer service makes it not just a cable product, but a trusted partner in safeguarding lives and property.
English
Español
Portugues
Pусский
Français
العربية
ไทย
Indonesia
Tiếng Việt
Telefon
Posta