Cable Testing

Before product certification can be awarded, BASEC undertakes comprehensive testing on a number of samples of cable covering the desired range of approval.  Details of the test requirements for each type of cable are set out in the BASEC Product Certification Requirements. Only once all tests have been satisfactorily passed can a product marking licence and certificates be issued to the manufacturer.

Once a certificate is issued covering a particular product, the manufacturer enters BASEC's surveillance regime.  Fresh samples are selected from the factory by the BASEC auditor, and these are re-tested.  BASEC undertakes regular testing on all approved cable at each manufacturer to ensure performance is maintained. Details of the test requirements and frequency are set out in the BASEC Product Certification Requirements document.

Any non-conformity of any cable sample against the requirements will result in follow-up action by BASEC at the factory, and the accumulation of deviation points by the manufacturer.  More serious problems found may result in the loss of certification.

Many different cable tests exist, and all tests are specified in detail in national, European and international standards.  The tests that apply to each cable are specified in the relevant cable standard, in material standards and other standards referred to in cable standards.

BASEC always undertakes all of the applicable tests for each cable.  BASEC repeats these tests on a regular basis as part of our surveillance testing programme on each manufacturer. 

Cable tests are divided into three broad groups:

Routine Tests

Routine tests should be carried out by the manufacturer on each batch of cable produced.  This category of tests focuses on the important safety and performance characteristics of cable that could change from batch to batch.

Sample Tests

Sample tests should be performed regularly on samples of cable from production.  This category of tests focuses on material processing and performance.

Type Tests

Type tests are often more elaborate tests and are expected to be performed before production starts, to demonstrate the manufacturer's capability to make the specific type of cable, and should be repeated if process changes are made which could have an effect on quality or performance.  Under normal circumstances type tests need not be repeated, but BASEC insists on them being repeated on a regular basis.