BS 8436 LSZH Screened Cable

What is BS 8436 LSZH Cable?

The BS 8436 LSZH Cable is a low-voltage, screened multi-core wiring cable featuring Class 2 stranded copper conductors, XLPE insulation, an uninsulated tinned copper circuit protective conductor (CPC), a continuous tubed aluminium screen, and a Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) outer jacket complying with BS 8436 standards. Operating at a voltage rating of 300/500V, it is specifically designed to provide fail-safe earth fault clearance when penetrated by metallic fasteners such as nails or screws.

Unlike standard unarmoured twin-and-earth or general wiring cables, this cable is engineered to meet the penetration safety requirements of BS 7671 (18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations) for concealed installations within dry lining walls, stud partitions, and ceiling voids without requiring mechanical steel conduit or auxiliary metal trunking. The bonded tubed aluminium screening foil and tinned copper drain wire ensure rapid disconnection of Type B circuit breakers or RCBOs under accidental puncture, while the LSZH sheath prevents the release of corrosive halogen gases and dense smoke during fire conditions.

BS 8436 LSZH Cable Construction

• Conductor: Class 2 stranded plain copper conductor (Class 1 solid copper available on request) conforming to BS EN 60228.
• Insulation: Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) delivering high dielectric strength and continuous thermal performance up to 90°C.
• Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC): Integral tinned copper earth wire positioned in continuous contact with the metallic screen.
• Screen: Robust tubed aluminium foil screen delivering 100% electrostatic coverage and reliable nail-penetration earth-fault conduction.
• Outer Sheath: Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) thermoplastic compound, flame retardant per IEC/EN 60332-1-2.
• Insulation Identification: 2 core + earth: Brown, Blue; 3 core + earth: Brown, Black, Grey; 4 core + earth: Brown, Black, Grey, Blue.
• Sheath Colour: White (standard; alternative colours available upon request).

Applications

BS 8436 LSZH Screened Cables are engineered for modern drywall construction, commercial office fits, and institutional buildings where concealed cable routes run within shallow partition depths.

• Cavity Walls & Drywall Stud Partitions: Concealed power feeds and sub-circuit drops behind plasterboard where accidental nail or screw penetration risk is present.
• Suspended Ceilings & Building Voids: Power and lighting distribution routed across hollow architectural voids without rigid steel conduit.
• Healthcare & Public Institutional Facilities: Hospitals, care homes, and schools requiring halogen-free, low-smoke safety in escape pathways.
• Commercial Office Floor Risers: Sub-distribution to workstation modules and perimeter trunking systems requiring compact, flexible cable routing.

Specifications & Dimensions

The BS 8436 LSZH Cable portfolio comprises 2-core, 3-core, and 4-core configurations (each with an integrated CPC earth wire) across nominal conductor cross-sections of 1.0mm², 1.5mm², 2.5mm², and 4.0mm². Operating at a rated voltage of 300/500V with a fixed service temperature rating of -25°C to +90°C, the cable requires a minimum fixed installation bending radius of 6 times the overall diameter. Outer diameters range from 7.1mm on 2-core 1.0mm² sizes to 12.4mm on 4-core 4.0mm² cables, with nominal weights extending from 71 kg/km up to 285 kg/km. Current ratings span 13.5A to 36A (based on Table 4D2 at 70°C, with higher ratings permissible under Table 4E2 at 90°C), while conductor DC resistance at 20°C ranges from 18.1 Ω/km down to 4.61 Ω/km, with dimensions adhering to BS 8436 and British manufacturing tolerances.

Standards

Design & Construction Standard: BS 8436
Flame Retardancy: IEC/EN 60332-1-2 (Single cable vertical flame test)
Low Smoke Zero Halogen: IEC/EN 60754-1/2 (Halogen acid gas emission), IEC/EN 61034-1/2 (Smoke density)
Installation Wiring Code: BS 7671 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (Regulation 522.6) and IEC 60364-5-52
Protective Coordination: Type B MCB (BS EN 60898) or Type B RCBO (BS EN 61009-1) with let-through energy I²t up to 42,000 A²s (1.0–1.5mm²) and 60,000 A²s (2.5–4.0mm²)
Regulatory Compliance: BASEC Approved, CE Marked, UKCA Marked, European Regulation EN 50575 (CPR Compliant), Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, RoHS 2015/65/EU, REACH EC 1907/2006

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does BS 8436 cable provide fail-safe protection against nail penetration without steel wire armour?
A: The cable incorporates a tight, continuous tubed aluminium screen wrapped over the cores in intimate contact with an uninsulated tinned copper CPC. If a nail or metal screw pierces the cable, it forces an immediate phase-to-screen short-circuit that trips the upstream Type B MCB/RCBO before high-voltage contact can occur.

Q: What are the protective device requirements under BS 7671 when installing BS 8436 cables?
A: Protective devices must be Type B to BS EN 60898 or Type B RCBO to BS EN 61009-1, with a maximum let-through energy (I²t) of 42,000 A²s for 1.0mm² and 1.5mm² conductors, or 60,000 A²s for 2.5mm² and 4.0mm² conductors.

Q: What is the benefit of XLPE insulation combined with an LSZH sheath in this design?
A: The XLPE insulation allows continuous 90°C thermal loading and short-circuit capability. Combined with the zero-halogen LSZH sheath, it produces negligible smoke and no toxic acid gas fumes if exposed to building fires.

Q: What payment terms does Huadong Cable accept for international project procurement?
A: We accept standard international commercial payment terms, including Telegraphic Transfer (T/T, with 30% advance deposit and 70% against shipping documents) and 100% Irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight.

BS 8436 LSZH Screened Cable – Why Choose Huadong?

Huadong Cable Group manufactures BS 8436 LSZH Screened Cables in compliance with British BS 8436 specifications, validated through routine laboratory testing for conductor resistance, nail-penetration earth continuity, and fire-reaction performance. Utilizing high-conductivity Class 2 stranded plain copper conductors, our extrusion lines apply dry-cured XLPE insulation to guarantee uniform dielectric strength. Combined with automated inline metal tube forming for the continuous aluminium screen and jacketed with thermoplastic LSZH compounds, our cables provide dependable nail-penetration safety, low smoke generation, and flexible handling in dry partition spaces.

With more than 20 years of precision cable engineering expertise, Huadong Cable Group operates modern multi-core cabling, continuous metallic tube screening, and zero-halogen compounding facilities certified to ISO 9001, BASEC, CE, UKCA, CPR (EN 50575), RoHS, and REACH protocols. By eliminating commercial middlemen, we supply competitive factory-direct pricing, 100% Mill Test Certificates (MTC) tested in accredited testing facilities, continuous drum lengths on ISPM 15 heat-treated export reels, and dependable door-to-port logistics for electrical contractors, distributors, and developers worldwide.