A: Many people were affected by the smoke and toxic fumes during the fire and the Section 12 regulations stipulate that everything – from display boards to electrical cables – must adhere to stringent safety standards. Cable in Section 12 locations must meet the requirements of LUL Standard 1-085, which details the fire safety performance of materials used on the London Underground. In particular, Section 3.3.3 of the Standard lists the flammability, flame spread and smoke emission requirements for cable. All cables undergo rigorous testing to comply with the regulations.
Q: Can I get a sample?
A: Maybe. Because everything we manufacture is custom-made to each customer’s specification, we probably don’t have a sample that is exactly like what you want. However, we might be able to provide you with a sample of something similar. If you need a small quantity of a wire and cable built to your specification for testing purposes, we can supply it.
Q: What's the relationship among Signalling A1, Signalling A2 and Signalling A3?
A: Generally speaking,this type of Signalling cable is used for free wiring in Relay Rooms, Signal Boxes, REBs (Equipment Boxes) and Location Cases. All Type A Cables have Class 2 stranded tinned copper conductors and are insulated with a flame retardant LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) compound. A1 and A2 Cables are single core cables and A3 Cables are multi-core. A2 and A3 Cables also have an LSZH sheath. These light-duty Signalling cables are generally for internal use – a smooth sheath makes them suitable for installation in ducting and between other cables.
Q: What's the relationship among Signalling B1, Signalling B2, Signalling D1 and Signalling D2?
A: Type B and D Signalling Cables are used between Equipment Boxes, Signal Boxes, Relay Rooms and Location Cases to connect up signal equipment. They are found in external cable troughs or attached to cable posts and provide control and signal transmission – although 2-core B2 Cables (10-95mm²) provide power for the signalling network in trackside situations. B1 and D1 Cables are used for maintenance within networks that comprise of B2 and D2 Cables. Both B and D Cables have Class 2 stranded tinned copper conductors – B1 and D1 Cables are single core cables and B2 and D2 Cables are multi-core cables. Whereas B1 and B2 Cables have EPR (Ethylene Polypropylene Rubber) insulation and HDPCP (Heavy Duty Polychloroprene) sheathing, D1 and D2 Cables have LSZH or EPR insulation and LSZH sheathing. Type D Cables are used in place of Type B Cables in tunnels greater than 200m in length – and locations designated as underground such as Birmingham New Street Station.
Q: What's the relationship among Signalling C1, Signalling C2, Signalling E1 and Signalling E2?
A: Type C and E Signalling Cables are designed to carry control and signal information between the Location Cases and the Signalling Head. They often sit on the Ballast (stones within and around the sleepers – there’s a train specifically designed to clean it) or can be clipped to cable posts. These single and multi-core heavy-duty cables do have the same insulation and sheathing as Type B and D Cables – Type E being the LSZH version – but they have flexible Class 5 stranded tinned copper conductors. C2 and E2 Cables are commonly referred to as Tail Cables. C1 and E1 Cables are used for the maintenance of these installations.
Q: What's the relationship between Signalling C3 and Signalling E3?
A: Designed for use in the rail network’s TPWS – or train protection warning system – these cables have two flexible cores with either EPR (C3 Cable) or LSZH (E3 Cable) insulation, a drain wire, and an aluminium screen.
