Quadrangle Products Offers Low Smoke Zero Halogen Wire and Cable
Quadrangle Products is a leading manufacturer and assembler of cable assemblies and wire harnesses. We use low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) wire and cable in many of our designs. Quadrangle Products stocks common LSZH wire that can be used on display cables such as LVDS, Backlight and Touch cables.
On top of creating custom cables and wires, we can also help transition non-LSZH wires to LSZH wires on your current cable assembly while keeping your costs low. We have proudly moved toward providing our customers with halogen-free products in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly and in an effort to provide our wire and cable clients with a safer alternative to the wires and cables that have been the standard in the past.
What Are LSZH Cables and Wires?
LSZH stands for low smoke zero halogen, and this type of cable and wire emits very low amounts of smoke and emits no toxic halogens when exposed to heat. In the past several years, there has been a noticeable increased awareness and demand for these products as environmentally friendly initiatives have popped up all around the globe.
What are Halogens?
Halogens are chemicals which use an element from the 17th column of the periodic table as one of their components. In wire and cable compounds, the halogen containing ingredients are typically utilized to impart improved flame retardant properties to polymeric materials, with the most common elements used for this purpose being bromine, fluorine, or chlorine.
Why Should You Use LSZH Wires and Cables?
LSZH cables and wire should be used when there is an increased risk of heat and fire hazard. There are many advantages of using due to the low smoke, environmental, and toxicity benefits. Cables in communication applications are not exempt from catching fire and can produce harmful smoke and gas, so preventative measures have been taken to make sure that cables are safe too, which is why LSZH cables are becoming more widely used.
The clearest uses for LSZH are confined spaces with large amounts of cables in close proximity to humans or sensitive electronic equipment. Submarines and ships are classic examples, which is why the military was one of the first adopters of LSZH standards. Additionally, mass transit and central office facilities are common applications for LSZH, and many telecommunication standards require LSZH cables.
LSZH wires and cables are commonly found in:
- Medical centers and hospitals
- Aircraft and aviation
- Rail, subway, and other mass transit systems
- Industrial locations
What is The Difference Between LSF and LSZH cable?
While LSF cables and LSZH cables have many of the same design properties and functionality, confusing these two cables could lead to a life threatening situation in the case of a fire. LSF cables are still made using PVC compounds and while they are designed with reduced smoke and hydrogen chloride (HCI) emissions in mind, there are no strict standards in place to confirm the quality of the design. LSZH cables, on the other hand, are subject to very strict standards regarding the amount of HCI emissions they would give off when burning. For this reason, LSZH cables and wires are generally the safer option.
Can Low Voltage Zero Halogen Wires and Cable be Used With LVDS Cables?
Yes, Quadrangle stocks multiple wires in house for the specific use of LVDS cables such as UL21104 shielded jacketed wire and UL3767 discrete wire.
Can Low Voltage Zero Halogen wires and cable be used on DisplayPort Cables?
Yes, Quadrangle products will have a wire available soon that will be specifically designed for LVZH DisplayPort Cables that will be available in the spring of 2021.
Are LSZH Cables Required in Data Centers?
LSZH cables are being used more frequently in data centers because of their safety benefits over other traditional cable designs. In order to figure out whether LSZH cables are required, you will need to look into local building codes as they tend to vary from region to region. Many data centers choose to use LSZH cables regardless of requirements to cut down on the risk of heat and fire hazards.
Are LSZH Cables More Expensive?
LSZH cables are generally more expensive than similar types of cables and wires. However, with the slightly elevated cost comes an increase in safety and built in protection. When you are considering cable options for a facility that deals with sensitive information, important equipment, or heat-generating computers, such as hospitals, data centers, or military installations, the added cost of LSZH is well worth the safety benefits.