Flame Retardant Power Cable (ZC-YJV / ZC-VV), with LSZH (HFFR) Versions
Flame Retardant Cable (FR / FRLS)
0.6/1 kV flame retardant power cable for buildings, plants and cable trays where fire spread along the route is the concern; low smoke halogen-free versions on request
This page covers our 0.6/1 kV flame retardant (ZR / ZC) power cable, often requested as FR or FRLS cable. The standard versions use flame retardant XLPE or PVC insulation and a flame retardant PVC sheath, which limits flame spread along a cable run to IEC 60332; they are not claimed as low smoke. When the specification also asks for low smoke and zero halogen, we build the same constructions with an HFFR (LSZH) compound. Copper or aluminium conductors, unarmoured or with steel tape or steel wire armour.
What is Flame Retardant Cable (FR / FRLS)?
Buyers use FR, ZR and FRLS for this cable, so it is worth pinning down what each version claims. On our production sheet a flame retardant cable is a ZC-prefixed power cable: flame retardant insulation, a flame retardant inner and outer sheath, and the same conductor, core and armour options as the standard YJV or VV range. Its job is to stop a fire from travelling along a cable tray or riser. The bunched-cable flame tests behind the A, B and C classes are the IEC 60332 series. The standard ZC-YJV and ZC-VV versions with FR-PVC sheath are claimed for flame retardance only, not for low smoke.
Flame retardant is not the same as fire resistant. A fire resistant (NH) cable carries a mica tape layer over the conductor so the circuit keeps working during a fire, which is what IEC 60331 circuit integrity tests measure. A flame retardant cable has no mica tape and makes no claim to keep a circuit alive in a fire. If the drawing calls for emergency lighting, fire pump or smoke fan circuits that must survive a fire, you need our fire resistant range, not this page.
Low smoke and halogen-free are properties of the compound, not of the ZC code. When a project needs them, we switch the insulation and sheath to HFFR polyolefin (LSZH). Only that version is offered against smoke density to IEC 61034 and halogen acid gas to IEC 60754, with testing confirmed per project; we do not publish a smoke or acid-gas test report for this range. FR-PVC still contains chlorine, so it should not be offered where the specification asks for low smoke, low halogen or halogen-free. If your tender uses the term FRLS with its own smoke or acid-gas limits, name those limits in the inquiry and we confirm the compound against them before quoting.
Key features
- Flame retardant classes A, B or C per the IEC 60332 bunched-cable test (class set in the model code, e.g. ZRA-, ZRB-, ZRC-)
- Insulation: FR-PVC, FR-PE, FR-XLPE or HFFR polyolefin; sheath: FR-PVC, FR-PE or HFFR (LSZH) compound. Low smoke / halogen-free claims apply to the HFFR (LSZH) versions only
- Copper or aluminium conductor: solid Class 1, stranded Class 2 or flexible Class 5
- 1 to 5 cores plus 3+1, 3+2 and 4+1 unequal-core designs
- Optional steel tape (DSTA), steel wire (SWA) or aluminium wire (AWA) armour; optional copper tape or copper wire braid screen
- FR-XLPE versions: 90 °C continuous, 250 °C short-circuit (5 s max)
- Routine and type tests agreed per order against the standard you name; flame, smoke density and acid-gas testing arranged per project when specified
Typical applications
- Risers and cable trays in commercial and residential buildings
- Bunched cable routes in factories, warehouses and plant rooms
- Hospitals, schools, malls and transport buildings where the consultant specifies flame retardant cable
- Main and sub-main feeders from LV switchboards to distribution boards
- Armoured ZC-YJV22 / ZC-YJV32 for cable trenches and duct banks on the same projects
Flame Retardant (ZC) Power Cable Models — 0.6/1 kV
Source: Huanghe factory product data
Models listed with FR-PVC sheath are flame retardant only (IEC 60332). The same constructions can be built with an HFFR (LSZH) compound when low smoke and zero halogen are specified. Cross-sections are the factory range for the family; the size and core combination is confirmed per order.
Custom sizes available on request — send us your project specification.
| Model | Construction | Description | Cores | Cross-section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZC-YJV | Cu / FR-XLPE / FR-PVC | Copper, flame retardant XLPE insulated, flame retardant PVC sheath | 1–5, 3+1, 3+2, 4+1 | 0.5–1000 mm² |
| ZC-VV | Cu / FR-PVC / FR-PVC | Copper, flame retardant PVC insulated, flame retardant PVC sheath | 1–5, 3+1, 3+2, 4+1 | 0.5–1000 mm² |
| ZC-YJLV | Al / FR-XLPE / FR-PVC | Aluminium, flame retardant XLPE insulated, flame retardant PVC sheath | 1–5, 3+1, 3+2, 4+1 | 0.5–1000 mm² |
| ZC-VLV | Al / FR-PVC / FR-PVC | Aluminium, flame retardant PVC insulated, flame retardant PVC sheath | 1–5, 3+1, 3+2, 4+1 | 0.5–1000 mm² |
| ZC-YJV22 | Cu / FR-XLPE / FR-PVC / DSTA / FR-PVC | Double steel tape armoured | Multi-core | 4–1000 mm² |
| ZC-VV22 | Cu / FR-PVC / DSTA / FR-PVC | Double steel tape armoured | Multi-core | 4–1000 mm² |
| ZC-YJV32 | Cu / FR-XLPE / FR-PVC / SWA / FR-PVC | Steel wire armoured | Multi-core | 4–1000 mm² |
| ZC-VV32 | Cu / FR-PVC / FR-PVC / SWA / FR-PVC | Steel wire armoured | Multi-core | 4–1000 mm² |
Bunched Cable Flame Test — Classes A / B / C
Source: Huanghe factory product data
Test on bunched cables under fire conditions (IEC 60332-3 series). The class you need is set by the building code or the consultant's specification.
| Class | Combustible material per metre | Flame application | Pass criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 7 litres | 40 min | Charred portion not above 2.5 m |
| B | 3.5 litres | 40 min | Charred portion not above 2.5 m |
| C | 1.5 litres | 20 min | Charred portion not above 2.5 m |
Flame Retardant Cable Construction Options
Source: Huanghe factory product data
| Layer | Options |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage | 0.6/1 kV |
| Conductor | Copper or aluminium — solid Class 1, stranded Class 2, flexible Class 5 |
| Insulation | FR-PVC, FR-PE, FR-XLPE, HFFR polyolefin |
| Screen (optional) | Copper tape (CTS), copper wire braid (CWB) |
| Armour (optional) | DSTA, SWA, AWA |
| Outer sheath | FR-PVC, FR-PE, FR-XLPE, HFFR polyolefin (low smoke halogen free compound) |
| Min. bending radius at installation | Single core: 20D unarmoured / 15D armoured. Multi-core: 15D unarmoured / 12D armoured (D = cable OD) |
Need OD, weight and flame test paperwork for your size?
Dimensions and drum weights change with the flame retardant class, sheath compound and armour. Send the model, cores and cross-section, the class (A, B or C), whether low smoke / halogen-free (LSZH) is required, and your destination port. We return a datasheet and confirm which test documents come with the order.
What to send us for a flame retardant cable quote
- Model or construction, e.g. ZC-YJV 4×95 mm² or Cu/FR-XLPE/FR-PVC
- Flame retardant class required: A, B or C
- Flame retardant only (FR-PVC), or low smoke halogen-free (LSZH / HFFR) compound
- Any smoke density or acid gas limits named in your specification
- Copper or aluminium, and conductor class if you need flexible Class 5
- Armour: none, DSTA, SWA or AWA
- The standard named in your specification and any third-party test required
- Length per size, preferred drum length and destination port
- Sheath printing or project marking, if any
Flame Retardant Cable (FR / FRLS) gallery
Factory & delivery capability
Real photos from our production facility — from raw material to container loading.
Production Line
Quality Testing
Warehouse & Stock
Drum Packaging
Container Loading
Ready to Ship
Frequently asked questions about Flame Retardant Cable (FR / FRLS)
Q.Is FRLS cable the same as fire resistant cable?
No. Flame retardant (FR / FRLS) cable limits flame spread and is checked with the IEC 60332 bunched-cable flame test. Fire resistant (NH) cable has a mica tape layer over the conductor and is tested for circuit integrity to IEC 60331, so the circuit keeps working during a fire. For emergency lighting, fire pumps or smoke fans, order fire resistant cable.
Q.Is standard ZC-YJV or ZC-VV cable low smoke?
We do not claim it. The standard versions with FR-PVC sheath are offered as flame retardant to IEC 60332 only. If your specification requires low smoke, we build the cable with an HFFR (LSZH) compound, which is the version offered against smoke density to IEC 61034.
Q.Is FRLS cable halogen-free?
Not always. A cable with FR-PVC insulation and sheath still contains chlorine. If your specification says low halogen, halogen-free or LSZH, we make it with HFFR polyolefin compound, the version offered against acid gas to IEC 60754 and smoke density to IEC 61034.
Q.What do flame retardant classes A, B and C mean?
They are the bunched-cable test categories. The test uses 7, 3.5 or 1.5 litres of combustible material per metre for classes A, B and C, and the charred length must stay within 2.5 m. Class A is the most demanding. The class is written into the model code, e.g. ZRA-YJV22 or ZRB-YJV.
Q.Can FRLS cable be armoured for underground or trench routes?
Yes. ZC-YJV22 and ZC-VV22 have double steel tape armour; ZC-YJV32 and ZC-VV32 have steel wire armour. Aluminium wire armour is also on our construction list.
Q.What is the MOQ and production time?
Standard LV cable MOQ is 200 m per specification; below MOQ, ask us about stock availability. Standard LV lead time is 7–15 days after the 30% deposit and approved drawings; the actual time depends on the specifications and our production schedule. Sea freight to your port is additional.
Q.Which documents come with a flame retardant cable shipment?
Factory routine test records for the order. The test voltage and routine test list follow the standard named on your order, so we confirm them with the quotation rather than promise a fixed value here. We do not have a published IEC 60332, IEC 61034 or IEC 60754 test report for this range on file; if your project needs one, or SGS / BV inspection, or a certificate of origin, say so at the inquiry stage so third-party testing is planned with the order.
Related products and how they differ
Fire Resistant Cable
Mica-taped NH cables that keep the circuit working in a fire (IEC 60331 circuit integrity). Use these for life-safety circuits, not flame retardant cable.
View specifications →LSZH Fire Resistant Cable (WDZN)
Halogen-free and fire resistant in one cable. This page covers flame spread, plus low smoke only in its LSZH version.
View specifications →XLPE Power Cable (YJV)
The standard, non-flame-retardant version of the same construction, for routes with no flame spread requirement.
View specifications →Related Technical Guides
Learn more about Flame Retardant Cable (FR / FRLS) specifications, installation, and sourcing.
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Send your specs — voltage rating / conductor size / cores / armour / length / destination port. Quote within 24 hours.
Checking compliance before you enquire? Factory ISO 9001 and CCC certificates with power cable type test reports. Product standards and certificates are confirmed per model, market and order.