BS 7211:2012+A1:2020

This standard BS 7211:2012+A1:2020 Electric cables. Thermosetting insulated and thermoplastic sheathed cables for voltages up to and including 450/750 V for electric power and lighting and having low emission of smoke and corrosive gases when affected by fire is classified in these ICS categories:

• 29.060.20 Cables

This British Standard specifies requirements and test methods for the construction and performance of cables that:

1. have a thermosetting insulation of rated voltage up to and including 450/750 V;

2. emit limited amounts of smoke (see 16.6) and corrosive gases when subjected to relevant tests compared with corresponding PVC cables conforming to BS 6004;

3. are intended for electric power and lighting.

The types of cable included in this British Standard are:

• thermosetting insulated and thermoplastic low smoke halogen free sheathed cable 450/750 V single core 6181B (see Table 3);

• thermosetting insulated and thermoplastic low smoke halogen free sheathed circular cables 450/750 V, 2-core 6182B, 3-core 6183B, 4-core 6184B and 5-core 6185B (see Table 4);

• thermosetting insulated and thermoplastic low smoke halogen free sheathed cables 300/500 V single-core 6241B, flat twin 6242B, flat 3-core 6243B with circuit protective conductor (see Table 5).

The insulation and other components are suitable to permit operation of the cables at a maximum sustained conductor temperature of 90 °C and for a maximum short-circuit conductor temperature of 250 °C (for a maximum period of 5 s).

NOTE 1 Limitation on the temperature of the cables may be imposed in situations where they could be touched, or where they could touch other materials.

NOTE 2 In installations that include wiring accessories, junction boxes and consumer units etc., the performance of these accessories should be taken into account in deciding the maximum operating temperature of the cable.

NOTE 3 Annex A provides a guide to the cross-referencing of the traditional United Kingdom Cable Codes (formerly known as the CMA codes) and harmonized CENELEC codes. Furthermore, Annex B gives information on the traditional UK cables transferred to BS EN 50525.

NOTE 4 Annex C gives guidance on the use of the cables specified in this British Standard.

NOTE 5 Annex D gives the compatibility test method.

NOTE 6 Annex E gives the voltage withstand test.

NOTE 7 Annex F gives notes on type tests.

NOTE 8 In this British Standard, corrosive (and acid) gases are defined as those that are determined as HCl.