Fire Cables Selection Guide
Fire alarm cables and fire-resistant cables are used in the same system but behave differently in a fire; the FE180 and PH120 classes are what matter.
This guide explains what to look for when choosing products in the Fire Cables category.
The difference between alarm cables and fire-resistant cables
The two subgroups are used side by side in the same fire detection system, but they do not behave the same way in a fire.
- Fire alarm cables: J-Y(St)Y is a fire alarm cable with PVC insulation and a PVC sheath; in the Reçber datasheet the only fire performance listed is the vertical flame propagation test (EN 60332-1-2). J-H(St)H is the halogen-free counterpart of the same construction. Both are for the lines between the panel and the detectors, push buttons and field modules.
- Fire-resistant cables: cables whose ability to keep operating under flame has been demonstrated by testing, with classes such as FE180 and PH120. The twisted-pair JE-H(St)H, the multicore LIHH, LIHCH, LIH(St)H and LIH(St)CH, and the silicone SIMH types belong to this group.
Because the same type code can be manufactured both with and without a class, what tells them apart is not the type name but the FE180 or PH120 marking in the product name and technical datasheet. The alarm cables group also contains JE-H(St)H products marked FE180. Why being halogen-free is not enough is explained in Is halogen-free cable fire-resistant?.
How to read the type code and size notation
- J and JE: installation cable for communication and low-current systems.
- Y and H: Y indicates PVC, H indicates halogen-free material. The first letter is the core insulation, the last letter is the outer sheath.
- (St): static shield made of aluminum foil with a drain wire.
- C: copper braid shield. LIHCH has a braid, LIH(St)H a foil, and LIH(St)CH both foil and braid shielding; LIHH is unshielded.
- LI: fine-stranded flexible conductor.
In twisted-pair types, 2x2x0.8 mm means two pairs made of 0.8 mm diameter conductors; the value here is a diameter, not a cross-section. In multicore types, 4x1.5 mm² describes four cores with a 1.5 mm² cross-section.
Some product names also state E30 next to FE180 and PH120. E30 means, per DIN 4102-12, that the cable installation keeps its function for at least 30 minutes, and it depends on the installation method, that is, the support system the cable was tested with.
What to look at when choosing a fire cable
- The line's role in a fire. The circuits that must keep working during a fire are defined in the project and the fire specification; classified cable is for these circuits.
- Resistance class. Match the standard and duration in the specification exactly to the class in the product datasheet. The E30 declaration is valid on condition that the cable is installed with the supports and fixings it was tested with.
- Construction. For loop and communication lines, twisted-pair JE-H(St)H is common; for siren, strobe and relay outputs, multicore LIHH types are common. The number of pairs, conductor size and permissible loop resistance are taken from the panel manufacturer's cable requirements.
- Shielding. For lines running close to power cables and frequency converters, consider braid-shielded LIHCH, foil-shielded LIH(St)H or dual-shielded LIH(St)CH.
- Voltage and load. The cables in this group are for the signal, control and supply lines of fire system devices; in the Reçber datasheets the maximum operating voltage is 225 V for JE-H(St)H and 300 V for LIHCH. For the power supply of loads such as fire pumps and smoke extraction fans, N2XH FE180 cables are a separate category.
Brands in this category
- Reçber Kablo: LIHH, LIHCH, LIH(St)H and LIH(St)CH marked FE180; JE-H(St)H...Bd cables and the steel-armored JE-H(St)HRH type.
- Birtaş Kablo: LIHH, LIHCH, LIH(St)H and JE-H(St)H Bd marked FE180 and PH120; SIMH-FR FE180; J-H(St)H Bd and J-Y(St)Y Lg alarm cables.
- Mekas Kablo: LIHH, LIHCH and LIH(St)H marked FE180/PH120; J-Y(St)Y Lg, J-H(St)H Lg and JE-H(St)H Bd alarm cables.
- Erse Kablo: LIHH and LIH(St)H marked FE180/PH120, LIHCH and JE-H(St)H...Bd that also state E30; J-Y(St)Y...Lg alarm cable.
- 2M Kablo: in the orange-sheathed FireKab series, LIHH, LIHCH, LIH(St)H and JE-H(St)H...Bd; red-sheathed J-Y(St)Y...Lg and J-H(St)H...Lg.
Ordering notes
- The cables in this group are sold by the meter.
- The class marking varies by brand: some product names state only FE180, some FE180 together with PH120, and some also E30. Compare the class in the specification with the product name and technical datasheet.
- Many of the products are made to order; the lead time is confirmed before the order.
Fire-Resistant and Halogen-Free Cable Classes Comparison Table
| Cable Type / Code | Fire Performance and Standard | Construction Feature | Mandatory / Typical Application | Category Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JE-H(St)H...Bd FE180 / PH120 | 180 min insulation, 120 min circuit integrity (DIN VDE 0815) | Halogen-free, foil-shielded fire alarm signal cable | Fire alarm control panels, smoke detectors, sounders and voice evacuation | Fire Cables |
| N2XH FE180 / NHXMH FE180 | 0.6/1 kV power cable with FE180/E90 circuit integrity | Mica-tape barrier + XLPE/HFFR halogen-free jacket | Fire booster pumps, smoke extraction fans, emergency lighting and fire lifts | Fire Cables |
| N2XH / NHXMH (Standard LSZH) | IEC 60332-3 flame retardant · Low smoke zero halogen | Non-toxic, non-corrosive smoke emission in fire | General power distribution in hospitals, schools, malls, hotels and high-rises | N2XH Cables |
Frequently asked questions
Are FE180 and E30 the same thing?
No. FE180 indicates that the cable was tested on its own according to IEC 60331 and maintains circuit integrity for 180 minutes directly under flame. E30, on the other hand, means per DIN 4102-12 that the cable installation, together with its supports and fixings, keeps its function for at least 30 minutes, and it depends on the installation method. Check the specification to see which one the project requires.
Is a halogen free fire alarm cable fire-resistant?
Not by itself. A halogen free construction limits the density of the smoke produced in a fire and the amount of corrosive gas; the cable's ability to keep operating under flame is demonstrated by a separate test. J-H(St)H is a halogen-free alarm cable; the JE-H(St)H type of the same family marked FE180 and PH120 carries a circuit integrity class. Look for the class marking in the product name and technical datasheet.
What is the difference between red and orange fire cables?
In the Reçber datasheets and 2M product names, J-Y(St)Y fire alarm cable comes with a red sheath and fire-resistant cables of the FE180 and PH120 classes with an orange sheath; practice may vary by manufacturer. The color makes it easier to tell them apart on site, but it is not proof of the class. What is decisive is the printing on the sheath and the test standard and class stated in the product's technical datasheet.
What does the 2x2x0.8 mm notation mean?
The first number is the number of pairs, the second is the two cores in each pair, and the last value is the conductor: 2x2x0.8 mm is two pairs made of 0.8 mm diameter conductors. The 0.8 mm here is a diameter, not a cross-section; values written in mm², such as 1 mm² or 1.5 mm², are cross-sections. The value written after the plus sign is the drain wire of the foil shield and is not counted as a signal core. Compare it in the same unit as the size the panel manufacturer asks for.
Can fire pumps and smoke extraction fans be supplied with these cables?
No. The cables in this category are for the signal, control and device supply lines of fire detection and warning devices; in the Reçber datasheets the maximum operating voltage is given as 225 V for JE-H(St)H and 300 V for LIHCH. For the power supply of motor loads such as pumps and fans, fire-resistant power cables such as N2XH FE180 are used. The cables here serve the control, monitoring and alarm lines of the same equipment.