ACL Cables creates history as first local company to receive SLS 1504 -3-31 standard compliance for fire rate cables

Creating history and proving its dominance in the cable industry once again, ACL Cables PLC announced it had been awarded the SLS 1504-3-31 accreditation certification for its Low smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) non-sheathed cables by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) recently.

SLSI is the highest local authority that awards quality standardizations for products sold locally. Upon complying with the requisite standards ACL Cables PLC has become the first company in the country to obtain this certification.

Moreover, ACL Cables is currently the only company that manufactures LSHF cables locally. The certification was awarded for cables with voltage up to 450/750 volts.

The official title of the standard is known as ‘Low voltage single core non – sheathed halogen free low emission of smoke thermoplastic insulated special fire performance electric cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750V’. The equivalent British Standard (BS) for the above local certification is BS EN 50525-3-31.

The certification was handed over by Ms. Dhammika Senaratne, Director General of SLSI to Suren Madanayake, Managing Director ACL Cables PLC at the presence of delegates from both SLSI and ACL cables.

Notably, there are two cable categories that fall under SLS 1504-3-31. These are – 1. Non flexible cables for fixed wiring, specified conductor cross sectional area range is starting from 1.5mm² and up to 630mm² and 2. Flexible cables for fixed wiring, specified conductor cross sectional area range is starting from 1.5mm² and up to 240mm².

In order to receive this standard ACL Cables was required to complete the following three quality tests: Fire propagation test on vertical bunched cables in accordance with BSEN 60332-3-24, low emission of smoke test in accordance with BSEN 61034-2 and assessment of halogen gases (acid gas) for all non-metallic materials in accordance with BSEN 60754-1.

Based on the process, ACL had to initially study and follow the respective BS that complies with the above criteria. Following which presentations were made to the SLSI, who then awarded the equivalent Product Quality Certification as per local regulations and standards.

The tests were conducted at ACL in-house laboratories located at their factory premises under the supervision of the SLS audit committee. Moreover, ACL Cables PLC is the only company in Sri Lanka that has a comprehensive lab facility for testing the above test parameters.

Commenting on this landmark award, Suren Madanayake, Managing Director said, “I am very proud that ACL Cables has achieved this prestigious local status. We have once again demonstrated to the market our quality and dominance. I appreciate the effort of my technical and quality assurance teams for their untiring efforts to ensure this Product Quality Certification process was a success.”

Madanayake added, “Since our inception in 1962, ACL Cables has always been the trendsetter in introducing new products and receiving proper certification. This is one such milestone. Our next step is to develop our scope and gain the certification for 600,000V LSHF power cables. I am confident that this too would be achieved shortly. Currently we are processing a considerable number of orders for LSHF cables and this is the main reason to push ourselves towards gaining this certification. The certification enables customers to have more confidence when they purchase LSHF cables from us. I am convinced that as the recipient of the SLS 1504-3-31 standard, we will be able to grow our market share further with this product and strengthen our top and bottom lines.”