Enabling innovation in cable compliance with a Certificate of Assessed Design (CAD)
As the cable industry evolves, the need for higher performance and more specialised products continues to grow. However, updates of cable standards can sometimes take many years or even decades to adapt. This creates a challenge for manufacturers and end users who require solutions that go beyond current standard specifications. The Certificate of Assessed Design (CAD) by BASEC provides a practical and structured approach to address this gap, enabling non-standard, high-performance, and newly developed cables to be independently validated against defined safety and performance requirements.
What is a CAD?
CAD approval validates a cable’s higher performance or if there is new product development and it needs to be verified on the acceptable cable parameters. It is an innovative way to build trust within the cable industry through certification, where cable manufacturers can demonstrate their product meeting their higher performance or bespoke requirements. It also ensures safety and reliability for end users through assessments for critical testing requirements.
The value a CAD provides
BASEC offers a Certificate of Assessed Design (CAD) option for novel or variant cable product concepts where no specific national or international standards exist. Working with the manufacturer, plus the wider supply chain and/or end user where appropriate, the aim is to ensure that the product’s specification and realisation meet necessary safety and performance requirements. BASEC provides an independent review to ensure that current industry standards and best practices are incorporated where appropriate.
Cable standards can take years sometimes decades to update, making it critical to support innovation while maintaining compliance. CAD approval enables this through bespoke specifications for non-standard or high-performance cables, covering design, materials, operating conditions, and testing -helping bring new solutions to market faster with confidence.
A bespoke test plan is also developed in conjunction with the manufacturer and end user where relevant to validate the required cable performances for its intended application to ensure it is fit for purpose. CAD specification is a particular standard developed for a specific product to suit requirements for both manufacturers and end users.
Real life examples
Flexible cables manufactured to BS EN 50525-2-11 are typically rated for a maximum operating temperature of 90°C and are widely used in appliances, lighting, and electrical installations. In applications requiring higher current capacity, especially in high-temperature environments, it may not be feasible to increase conductor size, so increasing the cable’s operating temperature is an alternative. While the standard only covers 90°C, a higher rating such as 105°C can be achieved through a BASEC Certificate of Assessed Design (CAD). This involves selecting suitable materials, conducting additional testing, and completing a technical assessment to verify performance at the higher temperature. Once approved, the cable is certified by BASEC for safe operation at 105°C, providing confidence that it meets enhanced performance requirements.
Many real-world projects could require non-standard cable designs or enhanced performance beyond existing standards, making BASEC Certificates of Assessed Design (CAD) a strong solution to demonstrate compliance. For instance, single-core, non-sheathed fire-resistant cables covered by BS 8592 are limited to sizes between 1.5 and 70 mm² and a fire test of 830°C for 120 minutes. In practice, however, projects such as high-rise buildings may require much larger sizes, up to 630 mm², and higher fire performance, such as 1000°C for 180 minutes.
A BASEC CAD addresses gaps in the market by defining extended specifications, including cable sizes, construction, dimensions, and enhanced fire testing requirements. These designs are validated through rigorous testing as part of gaining approval. CAD certification is commonly used across demanding applications such as railway rolling stock, high-performance fire-resistant cables, switchgear wiring, and solar or EV cables. Each approved product is identified by a unique BASEC CAD number, ensuring traceability and compliance. Certification is maintained through ongoing surveillance, audits, and market testing, making CAD both challenging to achieve and to sustain.
Summary
Where cable demands outpace existing standards, a BASEC Certificate of Assessed Design (CAD) provides a clear, independent route to validate non-standard and high-performance solutions. Through tailored specifications, enhanced testing, and ongoing surveillance, CAD enables safe, compliant innovation with full traceability.
Contact the team to discuss how a CAD can support your specific cable requirements.