BSI Kitemark Cable Testing
The value of the Kitemark
Globally recognised, the BSI Kitemark is a symbol that demands respect. Over 82% of UK adults recognise both the Kitemark and understand what it stands for:
Safety: 93% believe a Kitemark product is safer
Quality: 91% say the Kitemark gives the reassurance of quality
Trust: 88% have more trust in Kitemark products
Reputation: 88% believe a Kitemark product comes from a reputable company
Our Kitemark and the testing regime
For a particular cable to hold Kitemark approval it requires The Cable Lab® to test the individual components of every batch of cables made available for sale in our Denaby distribution centre. Every size and every core configuration within a cable range are tested prior to being released to our customers.
British and European standards for each cable layer, from the conductor resistance to the outer sheathing tensile and elongation measurements, are determined and measured, with the test methodology controlled by our UKAS accreditation. The test criteria depends on the individual cable construction. This in-depth testing allows our technical experts to assert that the cables meet the performance and safety criteria required of the product, and so can be marked as holding the BSI Cable Testing Verification Kitemark.
Example BSI Kitemark testing standards
| Test | British / European standard |
|---|---|
| Conductor Resistance | BS EN 50395 Clause 5 |
| Voltage Test on Completed Cable | BS EN 50395 Clause 6 |
| Insulation Resistance | BS EN 50395 Clause 8 |
| Ovality | BS EN 50395 Clause 4.4 |
| Tensile & Elongation Insulation | BS EN 60811-501 |
| Tensile & Elongation Sheath | BS EN 60811-501 |
| Test Under Fire Conditions | BS EN 60332-1-2 |
BSI Kitemark approved cables
Our BSI Cable Testing Verification Kitemark programme allows us to test a wide range of cables against the relevant British and European standards. Our Veriflex range all hold Kitemark approval, along with key cables from our range such as the H07ZZ-F, 6381Y PVC, 6381B LSZH, 309-Y PVC, 318-B LSZH, and N2XH Enhanced Class 5. They are cables that hold no other third-party approval and yet are frequently used in installations where quality and compliance is paramount.
We recognise the value the Kitemark holds, particularly in domestic and certain international markets, and are looking to support our customers with the quality and compliance assurances they seek.
Kitemark approved cables for Projects
The BSI Kitemark can provide valuable additional due diligence in the specification and selection of cables and their chosen supply chain. For large-scale or high-profile projects our Kitemark testing programme is designed so we can provide cables direct from our stockholding, tested to the same exacting and rigorous standards, across the breadth of a project's requirements. It demonstrates a clear and dedicated commitment to cable compliance and excellence.
Independent Testing Services
The Cable Lab offers a wide range of tests for electrical cables, including many covered under our UKAS accreditation.
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MV Cable Testing
Our specialist MV test facility covers electrical cables with a voltage rating over 3kV
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