The Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) discovered that cables from a Chinese supplier were being exported to the UK despite failing product standards.
Chinese company LongZ Group has been supplying rubber flexible cords to Doncaster cables in the UK. In their initial test, the cables pass the required specifications. But when the bulk orders arrived, the cables failed tests due to high resistance and in some cases sticking cores because of uncured rubber insulation.
When ACI conducted an independent test, all cables failed to meet the requirements of British and European Standards due to high conductor resistance. The cables also had issues re-strippability and carried incorrect cable markings with no manufacturer’s identification or country of origin on the cable or labelling.
The ACI has also now written to LongZ Group informing the CEO of its findings and asking for a response, but has yet to receive a reply.
The ACI said: “In this instance, Doncaster Cables has followed a strict checking procedure which ensured that these cables haven’t been made available for installation in UK buildings, although it appears that this may not be the first time these cable have been supplied to the UK.”
“Unfortunately not all importers and distributors follow the same preventative measures hence the reason why we are also reminding contractors and installers of the importance of checking what has been specified against what you are actually installing. Had these cables been tested to BASEC criteria they would have been classed as Recall.”
The ACI is taking this case up with Trading Standards and BIS and will inform insurers, fire authorities, LABC and other UK and EU cable manufacturers of its findings.