ACI warns of dangerous Turkish flexible cord

Unsafe flexible cord, intended for use in domestic and industrial applications, has been found on sale in the UK, prompting the ACI to issue a fresh alert to the electrical supply chain. The latest find of substandard flexible cords is marked ‘Made in Turkey’ and ‘Ermaks’.

Samples came to light following the Initiative’s recent `Counterfeit Flexible Cords’ campaign which alerted the electrical supply chain to dangerous industrial flexible cords.

In two separate instances, 1.5mm² and 2.5mm² 3 core PVC insulated and PVC sheathed ordinary duty flexibles have been submitted for testing to the ACI.

Testing showed that the cable’s conductors were Copper Clad Aluminium (CCA). This is believed to be a deliberate attempt by the manufacturer to reduce the amount of copper within the core and in doing so the cost of the cables.

The flexible cord could potentially be used in domestic extension leads and industrial connection leads which are exposed to constant flexing during their everyday use.

Conductor resistance

Testing showed conductor resistance to be higher than that specified by the British and European standards that the cord claimed to meet. The reduced copper content results in the cords burning out whilst in use creating a significant fire risk to the user. The reduction in copper content of the 2.5mm² conductors meant they only just met the maximum safe current carrying capacity of a 1.0mm².

CCA conductors, being predominantly aluminium, are not as robust as copper conductors and break easier during normal flexing. This ultimately results in individual strands breaking leading to no continuity or a hot spot within the cable as electricity arcs between the gap where the strands have broken.

ACI is warning that any cable or flexible cords marked ‘Made in Turkey’ and `Ermaks’ should not be used and should be tested by an approved electrician. Samples can also be sent to the ACI (minimum 5 metre length) for testing.

For further advice on this issue and other substandard cable can be found at www.aci.org.uk  or you can also call +44 (0)208 946 6978/ +44 (0)7973 636688 or email enquiries@aci.org.uk