Why Use Halogen Free Cable?

Learn more about halogen free cabling, it uses and the benefits.

Halogen free or zero halogen cabling is used in many areas of the cable and wiring industry, including aircraft, rail and construction. Used to protect wiring, it is proven to limit the amount of toxic gas emitted when it comes into contact with heat.

Why use halogen free cable?

Low smoke and halogen free cabling is becoming increasingly necessary to protect against the risk of toxic gas emissions during a fire. Standard RG cables contain halogen insulation. Halogen insulation was first used because it helps prevent cables from fire, but if it does ignite, the resulting fumes are highly toxic and a major risk, both to human life and to circuitry in place: critical, for example, in an aircraft.

Halogen free cables are engineered and designed so that emissions during a fire offer low toxicity and low smoke. This type of cabling is increasingly of relevance in public sector housing and major new developments. It could be increasingly worthwhile and of interest when it comes to elderly housing too, where items such as  disabled stair lifts are in use and the risk of additional complications as a result of fire significant.

If you intend using halogen free cabling it is worth noting that most types of zero-halogen cabling still work with the same standard and circular connectors used with RG cables. Many advocates of halogen free cable also argue that it is lower in weight, so overall system weights can be reduced, while also offering greater flexibility over standard RG cabling.

Halogen free cabling is also easier to dispose of compared to other forms of cabling that emit toxic gasses when burned and can be toxic to dispose of by other means.