- Cable Construction and Dimensional Testing
- Conductor Resistance Testing
- RoHS Compliance Testing
- Cable Insulation Tensile Elongation Measurement
- Shrinkage Tests for Cable Insulation
- Cable Hot Set Testing
- Cable Pressure Testing High Temperatures
- Cable Heat Shock Testing
- Cable Insulation Resistance Testing
- Vertical Flame Test
- Smoke Density Testing for Cables
- Cable Cold Bend Testing
- Cable Cold Elongation Testing
- Gas Emissions Testing for Cables
- Cable Spike Testing
- Cable Tensile Testing After Ageing
- Sheath Resistance Testing
- Mechanical test for Flexible Cable
- Cord Bend Testing
- Cable Snatch Testing
- Cold Impact Test
- Shore A Hardness Cable Testing
- Flex Test for Lift Cables
- Cable Solder Ability Testing
- Thermal Stability Cable Testing
- Crimp & Lug Testing
- Cable Ozone Resistance Testing
- VLF Testing for MV Cables
- UV accelerated Weathering Testing
- Over-Sheath Continuity Testing
- Oil Immersion Testing
- Static Flexibility Testing
- Wear Resistance Testing for Cables
- Water Resistance testing - Mechanical properties of sheath after water immersion
- Heat Resistance Testing for Textile Braids
Thermal Stability Testing for Cables
Thermal stability tests are conducted on PVC materials in order to determine the rate of thermal degradation at elevated temperatures.
At high temperatures, such as those that would be experienced in an indirect fire scenario, the process of degradation sees PVC give off hydrochloric acid (HCl), that in turn accelerates the degradation process. The thermal stability test determines how stable these plastic materials are.
All the tests are carried out not less than 16 hours after the extrusion of the insulating or sheathing compounds. and are conducted in accordance with the international standard IEC 60811-1-2. Test methodology requires glass test tubes 110 mm long, with an outer diameter of approximately 5 mm and an inner diameter of (4,0 ± 0,5) mm, universal indicating paper (pH range of 1 to 10), and a thermostatically controlled heating apparatus for the temperature specified in the standard of the cable type being tested. The temperature is controlled by heating a solid aluminium block with a digital temperature controller to maintain constant uniform heat throughout the testing.
Three samples, each of (50 ± 5) mg, are be taken from the sheath or the core insulation to be tested. Each sample consists of two or three small strips of between 20-30mm. These samples are placed into a glass tube along with a strip of dry universal indicating paper measuring about 15mm long by 3mm wide. The pH paper must protrude out of the top of the tube by about 5mm. The test samples then placed in the thermal heating equipment (already at the specified temperature) and heated for the specified time.
Thermal stability testing measures either the time it takes for the universal indicating paper to change colour from a pH value of 5pH to a value between 2- 3pH, or for a specified duration without pH colour change, whichever is soonest. The colour change point is considered to have been reached when the red colouring of the universal indicating paper characteristic of a 3pH value has just become visible. Towards the end of the expected test time, the pH paper is replaced every 5 min to 10 min so that the moment of change is better visible.
For a cable to meet the requirements of Thermal Stability Testing, the average value of the three samples shall not be lower than the value specified in the standard for that type of cable.

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About Eland Cables

Established in 1975, Eland Cables is a supplier of power, data, instrumentation and control cables and cable accessories to the world's most demanding industries and to some of its most prestigious projects. Our reputation is built on an unswerving focus on quality, technical expertise and customer service.

Our focus on quality has resulted in our in-house specialist cable testing facility securing the ISO 17025 accreditation. This certifies the competence, impartiality and performance capability of our laboratory and its evaluations. In turn, it means peace of mind for our customers with regard to the quality of the cables they source from us.

Our highly-qualified technical team is on hand to provide technical support with all aspects of cable selection, technical specification, regulatory requirements, and bespoke cable design and manufacture.

We are a key contributor to projects in over 100 countries every year, adding value through comprehensive technical support, reliable logistics, innovative solutions, and a customer-centric approach.