In this blog, ETU-LINK will introduce the flame retardant grades of optical cables. The flame retardant grades of optical cables can be divided into three types, OFN, OFNR and OFNP. Before talking about flame retardant grades, you can first understand LSZH (low smoke halogen free). As early as the mid-1980s, halogen (especially brominated) flame retardant polymer systems were widely used because of their outstanding flame retardant effect. In the wire and cable industry, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a good example, but PVC has a disadvantage that it will release a lot of smoke when it is burned, and it will produce serious corrosive and toxic gases. Therefore, cables are now made of low-smoke halogen-free materials. LSZH (low smoke and halogen free) material has some obvious advantages: low smoke, low toxicity, low corrosion, and high flame retardancy.

OFNP is the highest grade optical cable. When a fan is used on the optical cable to force the flame to blow, the cable will extinguish itself within 5 meters of the flame spread. At the same time, the cable will not emit toxic smoke or steam. It is usually installed in a ventilation duct in communication wiring applications. or in the air return booster system used in air handling equipment.

OFNR is the second-ranked optical cable. Under the condition of forced air blowing by the fan, the optical cable must extinguish itself within 5 meters of the flame spread, which is usually encountered in trunk fires, so this kind of fire rated optical cable is usually used. in floor trunks and horizontal cables.

The types of optical fibers are divided into the following four categories according to the UL1651 standard:

1. OFNP, OFCP: P-class non-conductive and conductive;

2. OFNR, OFCR: R-class non-conductive and conductive;

3. OFN, OFNG: non-conductive optical fibers for general purposes;

1. OFC, OFCG: conductive optical fibers for general purposes;

The selection of system cables has become an element that cannot be ignored. Here, ETU-LINK reminds everyone that in addition to considering performance when choosing integrated wiring cables, fire protection and environmental protection should also be considered to improve the building safety index.