EoW July 2013

Technical article

Benefits of standards for wire and cable products By Lawrence B Ingram, Alcan Cable, a General Cable company

Abstract Standards have a significant effect on the marketplace. These many benefits are realised by the suppliers, manufacturers and customers as a result of cable, properly developed, meeting good standards. Lack of participation in standards development by a company places it at a competitive disadvantage. This paper discusses the basis and value realised through participation in standards development. Standards aid new product development decision-making. They bring value and benefits to you and the company. They provide a benchmark for the new product. They can specify the temperature rating, fire performance, conductor and insulation resistance, physical and chemical properties of the cable product, for example. Standards provide the opportunity for marketing and sales to decide whether to develop a product that is limited in capability or one that meets more stringent performance criteria. manufacturers, suppliers and Standards Development Organizations (SDO) are all a critical part of this process. The benefits of participating in standards development are established. 1 Introduction The wire and cable industry and standards are inextricably linked. Electrical fires have resulted in thousands of essentially unnecessary deaths during the past 100 years. For example, in 2009 there were 802 civilian deaths, 2,500 injuries and $2.53 billion in property damages as a result of 65,800 electrical fires in homes (1) . The fire causes were electrical failure/ malfunction, and electrical distribution or lighting equipment in the home. Amazingly, the number of electrical fires was actually down by about one-third based upon the 1980 to 1998 reporting period of the report Participation by

issued in January of this year. This is part of the reason the National Electric Code (NEC) and Standards bodies have issued and revised the many Wire & Cable Standards we manufacture cable to today. 2 Basis for Standards Standards have three basic objectives: 1 They must function effectively 2 They must satisfy a legitimate objective 3 They must be relevant Standards help to provide safe products. The products are sustainable and bring benefits to people around the globe. Voluntary consensus standards are the foundation of the US, North American and global economy. They are the building blocks for innovation and competitiveness (2) . The World Trade Organization (WTO) recognises that international standards have a legitimate and significant impact on industrial efficiency and expansion of world trade. Standards are essential to strengthen the world economy and maintain product integrity and competitiveness around the globe (3) . Standards developed by ASTM International and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are widely accepted internationally. More than 150 countries signed the agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), obligating them to take part in the development of international standards through the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Unfortunately, strong harmonised standards are not always the practical result. Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) tries for one solution. The WTO states that “international standards should not give preference to characteristics or requirements of specific countries or regions where different needs or interests exist in other countries or regions” (3) . The International

Technical the standards. They must recognise that good IEC standards require an international solution where the developed standard reflects the needs of the global market. Failure to reach true consensus only sustains market barriers and impedes the development of a truly global market (3) . Some North American proposals to the IEC have been blocked from implementation even though billions of units are installed and used safely worldwide (3) . Implementation of one solution through ISO/IEC cannot force the global market to create a limiting standard when there are two or more safe approaches to the same result. This result is anti-competitive, leading to entry barriers in a particular market. Your participation in ASTM or other standards development activities can strengthen and improve these building blocks for innovation and competitiveness. 2.1 Goal of Standards: Safety 2.1.1 Reduce the Chances of Headlines Like This: Iroquois Theater Fire – Dec 30, 1903 (4) At least 605 people die The cause – a shorted arc light set a curtain on fire, and then the stage set materials ignited a significant amount of wood trim. Problems : there were unfinished fire escapes, no extinguishers, sprinklers, alarms, telephones, or water connections, and blocked exits. The theater attendance exceeded 2,000 and the building was over capacity and at SRO. This tragedy contributed to produce better fire codes and standards. Some results and improvements : this tragedy led to panic bars, a sheet metal screen to be raised and lowered between the audience and stage (not universally adopted by Codes & Standards) and doors of public buildings that must open in the direction of egress. committees develop

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July 2013