Cables and cords – Testing and Certification at the VDE Institute

As IT networks become more important in everyday life, network security and reliability are also becoming increasingly important. The prerequisite for a reliable network is the perfect quality of all components. This is ensured by the VDE Institute with the independent assessment of data cables and connectors as well as other passive network components.

On the one hand, the demand on data networks lies in the transmission of signals or data; on the other hand, operating conditions often pose an additional challenge, especially in an industrial environment. In addition to the electrical transmission properties, the assessment of the characteristics by the VDE also includes mechanical parameters, endurance tests and resistance to the many different environmental influences, such as temperature or chemicals, and even fire tests.

The state-of-the-art test center for the flammability of cables and wires of the VDE Institute meets the high demand for fire tests by the industry.

With the laboratory, the VDE Institute covers both the CPR - i.e. the testing of all cables laid in buildings - and the testing of motor vehicle cables and railway lines as well as many other areas of application. In addition to the testing of halogen-free products, the testing of halogen-containing cables and lines can also be carried out thanks to highly effective exhaust gas cleaning. Another key focus of the audit is the detection of toxic gases that can be produced during the burning of cables and lines.

When constructing the fire test center, the VDE Institute has set the highest standards of safety and environmental protection. Possible pollutants are prevented from being released into the environment due to exhaust gas purification.

Directive (EU) no. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council for establishing harmonized conditions for the marketing of construction products requires manufacturers of such products to deliver a declaration of performance to place them on the market. Here, the performance of the products has to be stated with regard to certain product characteristics and based on relevant harmonized technical specifications.

These features are listed in the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and relate to, e.g. mechanical strength, fire protection, hygiene, health and environmental protection. In addition to this multitude of mechanical and electrical tests, verifying fire behavior plays a decisive role in the design as well as in the approval and application of cables and wires. Permanently installed cables and wires in buildings are also affected by the regulations of the CPR. In the case of cables and lines, performance is assessed with regard to fire behavior, i.e. the formation and spread of a fire, as well as emissions in the event of a fire.

Electrical tapes made of various materials are needed to effectively protect electrical connection points from moisture penetration and to produce high-quality electrical insulation. In order to determine safety and usability here as well, we test backing materials such as plastic film, woven fabric and non-woven fiber, as well as thermoplastic, thermosetting or cross-linked adhesives.

Our range includes the following standards:

• EN 60454-3-1
• EN 60454-3-2
• EN 60454-3-6
• EN 60454-3-12