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Description and the Parameters of Electrical Cables

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Fire Hazards of Electrical Cables

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Fire ((BRIEFSFIRE))

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Abstract

The type and parameters of electrical cables have a significant impact on their fire hazards. Electrical cables are divided into two main categories: power cables (current transmission) and signal cables (data, control and signal cables). Optical cables belong to a separate group. From a design point of view, electrical cables are divided into axial and coaxial cables. Most electrical cables can be ignited (by an external heat source), allow the spread of flame over their surfaces and contribute to the development of a fire similar to most organic substances, materials and products. In addition, electrical power cables may be ignition sources or the cause of a fire (due to Joule heating). The most important parameters of electrical cables are the conductor material (copper or aluminium), the cross-sectional area of the conductors, the type of conductors (solid or stranded) and the polymer components used (insulation, bedding and sheath). The conductor material and its cross-sectional area determines the electrical resistance of the cable. The type of polymer components used determines the insulation resistance and its reaction to fire class. The conductor material and cross-sectional area, together with the polymer components determines the current carrying capacity of the cable and the resistance of the cable to physical (for example, temperature or ultraviolet radiation) or chemical (for example, acids and hydroxides) factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fire Engineering, Institute of Integrated Safety, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Jána Bottu 2781/25, 917 24, Trnava, Slovakia

    Jozef Martinka

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Martinka, J. (2022). Description and the Parameters of Electrical Cables. In: Fire Hazards of Electrical Cables. SpringerBriefs in Fire. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17050-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17050-8_1

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