In the fiber optic industry, customers frequently ask: What’s the difference between PVC, PE, LSZH? How do flame-retardant ratings vary between countries? What should I choose for my project?
As a manufacturer with over 40 years of experience supplying different markets—Europe, the U.S., Southeast Asia, the Middle East—we see these questions every day. This article explains all key concepts clearly and from a practical factory perspective.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Common Fiber Optic Cable Jacket Materials: PVC, PE, LSZH
Fiber optic cable jackets are typically made from three mainstream materials:
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – soft, easy to process, cost-effective, widely used indoors
- PE (Polyethylene) – tougher, excellent weather resistance, mainly for outdoor cables
- LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) – low smoke, halogen-free, naturally flame-retardant, safest for public and high-density areas
A simple summary:
PVC = general indoor use
PE = outdoor, UV/moisture resistant
LSZH = high-safety, flame-retardant, halogen-free material
“Flame-Retardant” Does Not Mean “Non-Combustible”
A common misconception is that flame-retardant means the cable will not burn.
In reality:
Flame-retardant means the material will not accelerate burning and tends to self-extinguish once the flame source is removed.
The purpose is to slow fire spread, not eliminate fire completely.
PVC and PE Are Not Naturally Flame-Retardant; LSZH Is
- PVC and PE: do not have flame-retardant capability unless additives are used
- LSZH: designed to be flame-retardant by nature
Technically, PVC and PE can become flame-retardant by adding additives, but in practice this is rare—especially in Europe and the U.S.—because most additives contain halogen compounds, which cause serious issues when burned.
Halogen, Halogenated Materials, and Halogen-Free Materials
Halogens include chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine.
PVC and most flame-retardant additives contain halogens.
When halogenated materials burn, they release:
- Thick smoke
- Toxic gases (e.g., HCl)
- Corrosive, acidic by-products
- Smoke that blocks visibility for evacuation
Halogen-free LSZH materials, on the other hand, produce:
- Very low smoke
- Low toxicity
- Minimal corrosion
- Much safer for indoor and high-density environments
This is why LSZH is the default choice for data centers, hospitals, airports, rail transit, and most European projects.
Why PVC/PE Flame-Retardant Versions Are Rarely Used
Although PVC/PE can technically be made flame-retardant by adding chemicals, most markets avoid this option because:
- Additives release toxic halogen gases when burned
- Acidic by-products corrode metal equipment
- Difficult to pass strict European/U.S. safety standards
- LSZH has become the preferred solution for public facilities
In price-sensitive markets (Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa), some customers may still choose PVC or FR-PVC, but in Europe and the U.S., LSZH is almost always the required standard.
Global Flame-Retardant Standards (Simple Summary)
| Region | Main Standard System | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
United States |
UL 1651 / UL 910 (OFNP / OFNR / OFN) |
Widely used only in the U.S. & North America |
|
Europe |
CPR EN 50575 (Eca → B2ca) |
Strictest system; limits halogenated materials |
|
Asia, Middle East, Africa |
Mainly IEC 60332 + LSZH preference |
Standards flexible; cost-driven decisions |
Understanding Actual Rating Levels (Important Clarification)
U.S. UL Ratings (highest → lowest)
- OFNP – highest grade, plenum-rated, lowest smoke, best flame performance
- OFNR – riser-rated, good flame performance
- OFN – basic flame rating for general use
Only the U.S. uses this hierarchy extensively.
European CPR Ratings (highest → lowest)
- B2ca → Cca → Dca → Eca
B2ca is the highest level most fiber cables aim for; Eca is the lowest.
IEC Standards
IEC 60332-1 and 60332-3 define fire propagation tests but do not classify materials into strict commercial levels like UL or CPR. Most Asian and Middle Eastern markets follow IEC rules but do not enforce strict hierarchy—hence material choice is often based on budget rather than regulation.
Material Preferences by Region (Based on Real Factory Experience)
Europe & the U.S.
- 90–95% of customers choose LSZH
- Building wiring and data centers prefer LSZH + CPR certification
- Halogen-containing flame-retardant PVC is rarely accepted
Southeast Asia / Middle East / Africa
- PVC still widely used
- Some projects accept FR-PVC (with halogen additives) due to cost
- LSZH is used only for critical or government projects
China
- Commercial buildings & home use: PVC
- Data centers, IDC rooms, airports: LSZH
- Government projects increasingly require LSZH
Why Flame-Retardant Materials Matter in Fiber Optics
Fiber cables run through walls, ceilings, trays, ducts, and high-density server racks. In a fire:
- Smoke is more dangerous than flames
- Toxic gas can cause casualties
- Corrosive gas damages critical IT infrastructure
- Thick smoke blocks visibility for evacuation
For this reason:
LSZH has become the global trend for high-security environments.
Practical Buying Advice (Factory Recommendation)
- For Europe & the U.S.: Always choose LSZH.
- For Southeast Asia & the Middle East: PVC is common, but confirm whether flame-retardant additives are required.
- For China: depends on project type—IDC and infrastructure projects prefer LSZH.
- For outdoor cables: PE remains the standard everywhere.
Final Thoughts
As a factory established in 1982 with 40,000 m² of production space, we supply all major jacket materials—PVC, PE, LSZH—and can produce cables compliant with:
UL (OFNP / OFNR / OFN)
CPR (B2ca–Eca)
IEC flame tests
Custom high-flame-retardant or outdoor-grade formulations
If you need recommendations tailored to a specific country or project, we can help evaluate materials and certifications based on your customer’s requirements.
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