There is a general belief in the cable industry in our country: every cable is the same. Although this is the general perception, the reality is not at all. In general, there are significant differences between cables of the same characteristics in many aspects, such as performance, quality, installation and ease of application. Though the share of cables in the total construction cost is not even 1 percent. Nevertheless, it is possible to create tangible differences in the correct cable selection. In short, cable manufacturers are now making efforts to inform people and to raise awareness that not all cables are the same. When choosing cables, it is necessary to turn to cables that provide safe, high performance and economic advantages.

Therefore, not only physical, mechanical and performance tests, but also electrical testing of cables are applied and usability details are further emphasized. In general, security is essential in cables. The cables must provide the transmission functions during their lifetime. This depends on the quality of the materials used in production, the design of the cable and the technologies used in production. A cable that has not been used for its intended purpose or that has not been manufactured in accordance with domestic and foreign standards may lose its functionality in the probe for a short time. This is an important cause of electrical leakage and fires.

The flame retardancy of the cables against fire is an important factor in preventing the flames from following the cable in the event of a fire. In addition, it is effective that the cable does not emit toxic gases during combustion and has a low smoke density so that the field of view is not obstructed during fire. But above all, the operation of the fire alarm alarm, ventilation fans, emergency exit lighting, fire water pumps and fire elevator during fire depends on the function of the cables used in these systems.

It is important that the cables used comply with the production standards and show high performance during a fire, but also provide ease of installation. This is a job that will save time and labor. By means of ease of assembly, it is meant that the sheath is easily separated from the vessels, there is no filling material on the vessels and the cable is effortlessly pulled through the pipes. This is also a feature that increases productivity.

The cables are extremely diverse depending on the characteristics of the place of use and the intended use. It is not possible to count the characteristics of the cables in a snap. In this respect, many methods are used in physical, mechanical and performance tests as well as electrical tests of cables. All kinds of tests of cables have serious consequences not only for human health but also for environmental conditions.

During all tests carried out by authorized laboratories, the standards issued by domestic and foreign organizations are taken into consideration while complying with the legal regulations in force.

During the electrical tests of high risk cables, they are used in electrical transmission and it is determined whether the cables show durability and provide maximum protection in case of any danger. These tests are performed to determine the safety of the cables.

In general, the basic features expected from cables are:

• In case of combustion, it should not emit flame.
• Do not transmit flame through the cable
• Low smoke concentration during combustion
• During combustion, toxic and corrosive gases must not emit

In order to determine these characteristics, the following electrical tests are carried out mainly by authorized laboratories:

• High voltage tests: These tests occur if there is a short circuit in the wires of the cables. High tensile strength is tested by applying high voltage to the cables. In other words, the insulation resistance of the cables is determined by high voltage tests.
• Transfer impedance and shielding attenuation measurements: Shielding quality of the cable is determined by applying power to the cables at different frequency ranges. In the transfer impedance measurement, the resistance of the cables to the input and output of unwanted signals passing over is measured. Cables used in audio systems in particular are subject to electromagnetic interference (EMI). These interferences disturb the signal passing through the cable. With shielding, the cables are insulated against this interference. Transfer impedance and shielding attenuation measurements are made with special devices and the results are evaluated on the obtained graph.
• Conductor resistance measurement tests: These tests measure the resistance of the conductor, that is, the copper wires inside the cables. The conductivity resistance varies from cable to cable depending on the length, type and thin or thick of the cable. If the current meets a resistance while passing through the cables, it causes the cable to heat up. This is the main cause of fire.
• Coaxial cable tests: If there is any imbalance or irregularity in the cables, this is detected by coaxial cable tests. A special device is used for these measurements. Infrastructure in the Internet and television systems is now digital. In these systems, what is important is not the height of the signal level, but the quality of the signal. The quality of the transmitted signal is determined by the impedance stability of the coaxial cable. The most important performance indicator for coaxial cables is shielding. Shielding is like a shield that protects the signal from the cable from electrical noise outside. The stronger the shielding, the more difficult it is for electrical noise to distort the signal within the cable. The most commonly used coaxial cable today is the RG-58 cable, known as the thin coaxial cable.
• Other electrical tests: Other electrical tests are also performed for cables other than those listed above. For example, insulation resistance test at ambient temperature, insulation resistance test at maximum conductor working temperature, voltage test (core), voltage test (cable), insulation water absorption test, surface tension test, long-term withstand voltage test of insulation, lightning impact test, conductor resistance measurement, puncture stress test, burn test in bundled cables, smoke density test and under voltage burn test (IEC 60331-21). This standard is also published by TSE in our country with the following title: TS IEC 60331-21 Cables - Tests for electrical cables under fire conditions - Circuit integrity - Part 21: Processes and specifications - Cables with rated voltage up to and including 0,6 / 1,0 kv.