Installers/Contractors

Many installers don’t understand the products they buy and rely on wholesalers to provide the right advice. Worryingly when supplied with non-approved cable from a trusted source they often won’t question the product.

Similarly knowledge of specifications, cable standards, identifying compliant and non-compliant cable isn’t robust.

While sub-standard cable isn’t always visible to the untrained eye and what may look like a good purchase could be a costly mistake, there are simple procedures as part of a purchase and installation process that can help identify an issue and eliminate risk. These can be found in our Pocket Guide to ordering cable

Contractors should also investigate cables on site or in wholesaler branches:

• Look for incorrect marking
• Does the cable supplied fulfil the standard noted?
• Is the copper content and diameter right for the size of the cable?

Any suspect cable should be reported to the ACI and where possible photographic evidence taken to help an ACI investigate further e.g. drum and reel labels, batch numbers, country of origin, importer/distributor, cable type and size range.

If possible obtaining a 2m cable sample will allow the ACI to conduct necessary tests.