--- title: Cable Assemblies Flammability Test description: Questions from our cable assembly outer sheath/jacket performance functions webinar are answered along with a video of a cable assembly flammability test. --- [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [About](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - Back - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - [Our History](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/) - 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[Home](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - Cable Assemblies Flammability Test Share This Page: [LinkedIn](https://blog.epectec.com/#linkedin) [X](https://blog.epectec.com/#x) [Facebook](https://blog.epectec.com/#facebook) [Email](https://blog.epectec.com/#email) # Cable Assemblies Flammability Test [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/epec-logo.jpg "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Written by [Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/author/epec-engineered-technologies) Posted on April 14, 2016 at 1:22 PM ![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/epec-logo.jpg "Epec Engineered Technologies") Find me on: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/epectec) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/epec-engineered-technologies) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/epectec) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) After our [Cable Assembly Outer Sheath/Jacket Performance Functions webinar](http://www.epectec.com/webinar/02-19-2016/cable-assembly-outer-sheath-jacket-performance-functions.html), attendees submitted several great questions and we’d like to answer two in particular here that focus on performing a flammability test for cables. **Question 1:** You spoke about the compounds and mentioned several times about cable assemblies flammability and the need to understand the application to match the flammability to. How much different would a cable with no flame retardancy be from a cable that is highly flame retardant? **Question 2:** During the webinar it was mentioned that the cable jacket protected the inner components from damage, including the exposure to flames. If the jacket is exposed to flames wouldn’t it just either melt or burn away? The short video below will answer both of these questions. *Cable Assembly Flammability Test Demonstration* The first sample being burned is illustrative of a [cable assembly jacket](https://blog.epectec.com/why-use-a-jacketed-cable-in-your-assembly) with no flame retardant additives. This type of cable would not have any safety certifications associated with it and would have extremely limited applications it could be used in. The second sample being burned is illustrative of a cable jacket that consists of compounds specifically developed for use in plenum or air handling areas. This jacket does not ignite and does not give off any smoke or hazardous gas as it is being burned. This cable would carry the highest safety certifications available and be authorized for use in public buildings in any air handling areas. ## Summary As you can see during the video, the first cable jacket melts away rather quickly, and in doing so, exposes the components underneath. With the cable jacket gone, these inner-components are now exposed to the flame and ultimately ignite in a blaze of smoke and flames. The second cable’s jacket doesn’t combust though; the jacket chars, and the char actually protects the underlying components from being destroyed by the flame. It's always important to communicate [environmental requirements](https://www.epectec.com/articles/overview-of-flammability-requirements-for-custom-cables.html) and work with a [cable manufacturer](http://www.epectec.com/cable-assemblies/manufacturing-capabilities.html) who understands what works best for your project. --- ## Key Takeaways - **Flame retardancy defines application limits:** Non-retardant cables have no safety certifications and very limited use, while highly flame-retardant cables meet the strictest standards for public and air-handling environments. - **Cable jackets are critical to fire safety:** A jacket without flame resistance melts quickly, exposing inner components that ignite easily. - **Engineered compounds make the difference:** Flame-retardant jackets are formulated to resist ignition, produce no hazardous smoke, and meet stringent certification requirements. - **Charring provides protection:** In high-safety jackets, the material chars instead of combusting, shielding the inner conductors from direct flame damage. - **Application requirements must guide design:** Selecting the right jacket material based on environment and compliance needs ensures both performance and safety. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [Cable Assemblies](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) --- [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/what-it-really-means-to-have-a-dedicated-account-manager) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/improving-membrane-switch-design-for-harsh-environments) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707152/aa920eaf-6806-4ac9-a6e3-1ac5ce9edf5e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707152/aa920eaf-6806-4ac9-a6e3-1ac5ce9edf5e) ## Leave a Comment --- ## Related Posts --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (159)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (133)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (120)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (100)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (93)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flex-rigid-flex-pcbs) - [Electronics Industry (61)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/electronics-industry) - [User Interfaces (54)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) - [Quality Solutions (33)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/quality-solutions) - [Flexible Heaters (30)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flexible-heaters) - [Events, Training, and Support (9)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/events-training-and-support) - [RF Products (7)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/rf-products) - [CNC Machining (3)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cnc-machining) - [Fans & Motors (1)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/fans-motors) See All --- --- ### Need Help with A Project? 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