LSOH Low voltage distribution

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LSOH Low Voltage Distribution

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LSOH Cable for Low Voltage Utility Distribution Networks

Prysmian LSOH low voltage distribution cable delivers reliable power while supporting fire safety across buildings and local networks. As a low smoke zero halogen cable, it is engineered to emit minimal smoke and no halogen acid gases in a fire, helping protect people, assets and critical services in enclosed or high-occupancy areas within buildings.

 

Prysmian’s expertise in distribution cable design and manufacture ensures dependable operation for indoor network connections and external routes, with options to suit public infrastructure, commercial sites and regulated utility environments including DNO and IDNO projects. These LSOH distribution cables can be used in risers and sub-mains within commercial and public buildings, plant rooms, data centres and hospitals, transport hubs and tunnels, as well as ducts, direct-buried routes and service connections where improved reaction-to-fire safety is required.

What is LSOH for Low Voltage Distribution?

Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH), also referred to as LSZH, refers to cable designs that significantly reduce smoke and eliminate halogen acid gas release in the event of fire. Compared with traditional PVC-sheathed designs in a fire, Prysmian low smoke zero halogen cable maintains visibility for evacuation and reduces corrosive damage to electrical equipment and reinforced concrete structures. Unlike some cables described as low smoke and fume, true low smoke zero halogen cables by Prysmian use halogen-free compounds to minimise toxicity and acid gas.

Typical ratings for Prysmian LSOH low voltage distribution cables are 0.6/1 kV, covering single-core feeders and 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-core arrangements for three-phase systems with neutral and protective conductors. These cables are well suited to risers, sub-main distribution, plant rooms and final circuits in transport hubs, healthcare, education, data centres and other indoor network connections where reaction-to-fire is critical. 

Construction, Standards and Performance

Compliant to BS 7870 for utility-grade distribution cable designs, Prysmian LSOH Low Voltage Distribution Cable construction blends copper or aluminium conductors with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation and an LSOH outer sheath. Options include steel wire armour (SWA) for multi-cores and aluminium wire armour (AWA) for single-core design, supporting direct burial and high-traffic routes. Triplex configurations for service applications can be installed where required by DNO or IDNO specifications.

Conductors: Plain annealed copper or aluminium, single or multi-core. 

Insulation: XLPE for thermal stability up to 90°C conductor temperature in normal service 

Armour: SWA (multi-core) or AWA (single-core) for mechanical protection and impact resistance 

Sheath: Specialist outer sheath to limit smoke, eliminate halogen acid gases and reduce flame propagation 

LSOH Distribution vs PVC Waveform Cables: Key Differences

LSOH low voltage distribution cables and PVC waveform cables serve similar power distribution functions but differ in construction and application priorities:

LSOH cables use specialist sheathing to minimise smoke and eliminate halogen acid gases, improving evacuation visibility and reducing corrosion. PVC waveform cables use PVC sheathing and produce thick black smoke and acid gases in the event of fire.

LSOH distribution cable designs commonly use conventional circular copper or aluminium conductors (single- or multi-core). PVC waveform cables feature a shaped solid aluminium conductor for utility distribution, optimised for material efficiency and jointing practices defined by DNO standards.

LSOH distribution cable designs feature helically applied copper wires over the laid-up cores to act as either combined neutral and earth (CNE) for three-core designs or a separate earth (SNE) for four-core designs. PVC Waveform cables feature the ‘Waveform’ design of copper wire screen for three-core CNE circuits or four-core SNE circuits.

LSOH distribution cables generally align to BS 6724 and project-specific BS 7870 clauses where utility adoption is required. PVC waveform cables are specified to particular BS 7870 parts and DNO engineering standards that mandate waveform constructions for LV mains and services.

LSOH distribution cables are compatible with standard cable glands, cable cleats and terminations for circular conductors and may be armoured for direct burial. PVC waveform systems require waveform-specific joints and terminations approved by the adopting DNO.

Prysmian LSOH distribution cables and PVC waveform cables are approved for use on the networks of every DNO.

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