Cable certification ensures safety, performance and lower risk
Inferior cables pose lots of risks. Because they negatively impact safety, equipment efficiency, user productivity and network performance, they can create more problems than solutions.
While investing in a low-quality cable may seem like a good way to save money on a project, the outcomes that result can be devastating in terms of product failure, replacement costs, damaged reputation and poor reliability.
If you want to prevent unexpected performance issues down the road and ensure that your critical business operations don’t rely on inferior cables, then cabling system certification is necessary.
How does cable certification work?
Certification is achieved through cable testing. Testing is done not only by the manufacturers that produce the cable but also by third-party testers to guarantee cable performance. Here are some examples of the certifications that result from qualified testing.
UL certification
UL certification is granted by UL Solutions and certified per the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standard. UL Solutions conducts its own testing and certifies products across a wide range of industries, from electronics and electrical equipment to medical devices and automotive systems.
In order to receive this safety certification, a product must be rigorously tested to comply with specific and applicable safety standards established by UL. Certification means that the product not only performs but also meets high safety standards and is safe to use. Products with UL certification feature a UL mark.
Although the UL certification is generally required only for the U.S. market, it may also be beneficial for products used in other countries.
CPR certification
CPR (Construction Products Regulation) Certification exists within the European Union (EU) to bring rules to the marketing of construction products, such as cables, to ensure building safety.
Products with CPR certification meet specific performance standards related to characteristics like fire safety. The products are marked with the CE symbol to show that they meet safety, health and environmental protection requirements within the EU. Testing and certification are carried out by third-party organizations or performed by an accredited test lab (such as Belden’s) under the witness of a third party.
REACH/RoHS certification
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) are directives that aim to reduce hazardous substances in European products. While REACH focuses on chemical substances, including those used in industrial processes and consumer products, RoHS restricts the hazardous substances used in electrical and electronic equipment.
REACH and/or RoHS certification indicates that products do not contain harmful chemicals or substances.
As regulatory frameworks established by the EU, REACH and RoHS testing and certification are typically achieved through self-certification. It can also be handled by third-party testers, but this is rarely the case.
ISO certification
ISO certification is offered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). As opposed to UL and CPR certifications, which align with national standards, ISO certification aligns with specific international standards for quality, safety, efficiency and interoperability.
ISO-certified products don’t typically have an ISO mark. Instead, the product features the certification mark of the certification body that conducted the audit and issued the certification.
In addition, ISO also certifies processes. For example, Belden’s plants are certified primarily to ISO 9001 standards, with a few also certified to ISO 14001 standards.
Additional relevant industry certifications
There are other certifications that can be pursued as well, depending on the industry and application.
For instance, IATF 16949 is a globally recognized quality management system (QMS) standard specifically designed for the automotive industry (automotive plants). It aligns with ISO 9001 and focuses on continuous improvement, quality improvement, prevention of manufacturing defects and the reduction of waste in the supply chain.
ABS/DNV certification is another example. It ensures that equipment and components meet stringent safety and performance standards for marine applications. This includes testing to ensure that:
- Materials and components are reliable and safe
- Products comply with regulations and standards
- Standards of quality are maintained
- The risk of failure is reduced
What are the benefits of a certified cabling system?
A certified system can provide peace of mind in several ways. Here are a few examples.
Reduced maintenance and repair
When a LAN cabling system is certified, this means it meets industry standards and performs as expected. Certification acts almost as insurance to protect against future cable problems that could lead to high maintenance and repair costs down the road.
Testing and certifying cabling systems allows installers to catch possible performance issues early so they can be addressed before the system is put into use.
Better safety and less fire spread
Certifying cabling systems is critical to ensure safety.
Compliant, high-performance cables are made with proper materials and certified for safety; non-compliant cables may use flammable materials that could spread fire within a building. When they burn, non-compliant materials can also produce dangerous smoke, especially if they use cheaper materials that aren’t safe in a fire.
High-performance cables are tested for fire retardancy per fire safety standards. To be UL Listed or obtain a CPR Euroclass rating, for example, cables must pass stringent fire safety tests that determine the cable’s ability to reduce (or not contribute to) the spread of fire and heavy smoke. Some counterfeit cables feature a certification mark, even when they haven’t been tested and don’t meet the requirements, so beware. Testing has shown that counterfeit cables marked as UL Listed don’t always meet the appropriate safety requirements.
Long-term technology and system performance
A certified cable helps ensure that the devices, applications and systems connected to the network through the cabling system will work as expected. Because the cables have been verified for proper performance, these systems and devices won’t suffer from network issues, latency or downtime caused by cabling.
Poorly designed or low-quality cables could lead to signal loss or increased attenuation, which impact the way a network-connected device operates.
For example, network devices like routers, switches, firewalls and access points can stop functioning and disrupt communication due to poor-quality cables. The same holds true for devices like sensors, surveillance cameras, access control devices and digital screens.
There’s no equivalent for high-performance cables
While other companies sometimes attempt to offer products that are “Belden equivalent,” nothing replaces the real thing. There is no Belden equivalent when it comes to products or warranties, such as Belden’s 10-Year Warranty. Purchasing from a certified Belden distributor ensures that you get the real Belden products and warranties you need.
After testing lower-cost cable products available in the market, we uncovered cables of inferior quality, which lead to delays and downtime. Generally, inferior products are offered at a lower price point because the performance they provide differs greatly from what Belden offers.
Belden also has its own testing facilities to verify product performance. We know exactly where, when and how all our products are made, and our inspection testing and factory acceptance tests ensure the quality and functionality of our products before they are deployed.
Learn more about compliance and certification.
Related link:
- Belden Certificates and Compliance
- CPR: Construction Product Regulation
- Which Rating or Certification Does Your Cable Really Need?