# RZ1MZ1-K

URL: https://www.chinneelectric.com/products-types/armoured-cables/rz1mz1-k/
Brand: Chinne Electric

## Summary
Chinne Electric RZ1MZ1-K. LSZH armoured cable with galvanized steel wire armour (ATEX).. TOXFREE® RZ1MZ1-K is a LSZH cable, in case of fire, it does not emit toxic or corrosive gases, thereby protecting public health.

## Key facts
- Standards: IEC 60227, IEC 60502, GB/T standards
- Corrosion protection and durable finish options for long service life
- Fire-resistant and circuit-safe design for demanding environments
- Heavy-duty construction with weather and corrosion resistance
- Application: Designed for building wiring, industrial equipment, and commercial installations requiring dependable cable performance and compliance with international standards.

## FAQ
### What is the RZ1MZ1-K cable and where is it typically used?
The TOXFREE® RZ1MZ1-K is a low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) armoured power cable designed for fixed installations that demand both enhanced mechanical protection and superior fire safety. It is particularly suited for public spaces, hazardous areas with explosive gas atmospheres (ATEX), and any environment where the cable may be exposed to mechanical aggression. Its LSZH properties ensure that in the event of fire, no toxic or corrosive gases are released, protecting both people and sensitive electronic equipment. The cable conforms to IEC 60502-1 for power cables with extruded insulation rated up to 1.8/3 kV.

### How does the RZ1MZ1-K ensure fire safety and low toxicity?
The cable employs cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation and a polyolefin LSZH bedding and outer sheath, which together eliminate the emission of halogen acids and dense smoke during combustion. This design meets the requirements of the Construction Products Regulation and achieves a reaction-to-fire classification of Cca B2ca LSZH, making it a safer choice for installations where human evacuation and equipment preservation are critical. Unlike PVC-based cables, the RZ1MZ1-K does not produce corrosive gases that can damage steel structures and electronic circuits.

### What armour type is used in the RZ1MZ1-K and why?
For multi-core variants, the cable features a galvanized steel wire armour that provides excellent mechanical protection against impact, crushing, and tensile stress, making it ideal for direct burial and industrial environments. Single-core cables are fitted with aluminium armour instead, which avoids parasitic currents that could overheat the cable and compromise performance. This dual approach ensures optimal electromagnetic compatibility and thermal stability, fully aligning with IEC 60502-1 installation requirements.

### What are the conductor and insulation specifications of the RZ1MZ1-K?
The conductor is annealed copper, class 5 flexible stranded according to IEC 60228, offering easy handling and reliable connectivity. Insulation is cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), type GP 8 per IEC 60502-1, which provides excellent thermal stability and a maximum continuous operating temperature of 90°C. Core identification follows HD 308, with standardized colour codes such as blue + brown for two-core, and green/yellow for the protective earth in three-core and above, ensuring consistent and safe wiring across installations.

### Is the RZ1MZ1-K suitable for explosive atmospheres (ATEX)?
Yes, the cable is specifically recommended for use in hazardous areas with explosive gas atmospheres (ATEX). Its robust construction, LSZH safety features, and compliance with IEC 60502-1 make it a reliable choice for petrochemical plants, mining, and other high-risk locations. The aluminium armour on single-core cables prevents circulating currents that could create hot spots, while the overall low-smoke design contributes to safety during a fire. Chinne Electric supplies this cable as part of its TOXFREE® range, engineered to mitigate risks in extreme industrial settings.

## Content
Technical Specifications
The TOXFREE® RZ1MZ1-K is a low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) armoured power cable designed for fixed installations requiring enhanced mechanical protection and fire safety. It conforms to IEC 60502-1 for power cables with extruded insulation rated up to 1.8/3 kV.

  Conductor: Annealed copper, class 5 flexible stranded (IEC 60228).
  Insulation: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), type GP 8 per IEC 60502-1. Core identification per HD 308:
    
      1-core: Natural.
      2-core: Blue + Brown.
      3-core (G): Blue + Brown + Green/Yellow.
      3-core: Brown + Black + Grey.
      3-core + 1: Brown + Black + Grey + Blue (reduced cross-section).
      4-core (G): Brown + Black + Grey + Green/Yellow.
      4-core: Brown + Black + Grey + Blue.
      5-core (G): Brown + Black + Grey + Green/Yellow + Blue.
      6-core and above: Black cores with printed numbers + Green/Yellow.
    
  
  Bedding: Extruded polyolefin-based LSZH compound.
  Armour: Galvanized steel wire armour for multi-core cables. For single-core cables, aluminium wire armour is applied to prevent parasitic circulating currents and associated overheating.
  Outer sheath: Extruded polyolefin-based LSZH compound, black.
  Reaction to fire (CPR): Euroclass Cca-s1,d1,a1 per EN 50575, with additional classification B2ca-s1a,d1,a1 available depending on construction.
  Smoke emission: Low smoke density per IEC 61034-2 (light transmittance ≥ 60%).
  Halogen content: Zero halogen per IEC 60754-1/2 (HCl emission < 0.5%).
  Temperature range: -15 °C to +90 °C (continuous conductor temperature). Short-circuit temperature: 250 °C (maximum 5 seconds).
  Rated voltage: 0.6/1 kV (U0/U).


Applications
TOXFREE® RZ1MZ1-K is specified for fixed indoor and outdoor installations where fire safety, mechanical durability, and absence of corrosive emissions are mandatory requirements. The LSZH construction eliminates toxic and corrosive gas release during combustion, protecting personnel, public health, and sensitive electronic equipment.

  Public buildings and high-occupancy venues (hospitals, schools, transport terminals, shopping centres).
  Hazardous areas with explosive gas atmospheres (ATEX) per Directive 2014/34/EU — suitable for Zones 1 and 2 (gas) where mechanical impact risk exists.
  Industrial plants, refineries, and chemical processing facilities subject to mechanical aggression.
  Underground installations, cable ducts, and direct burial where steel wire armour provides rodent and impact resistance.
  Emergency circuits, fire detection systems, and evacuation routes where LSZH performance is mandated by building codes.
  Data centres and telecommunication facilities housing corrosion-sensitive equipment.


Applicable Standards

  IEC 60502-1 — Power cables with extruded insulation and their accessories for rated voltages from 1 kV up to 30 kV. Governs construction, materials, and testing.
  IEC 60228 — Conductors of insulated cables. Class 5 flexible copper conductor requirements.
  HD 308 S2 — Identification of cores in cables and flexible cords. Colour coding standard applied throughout the core range.
  EN 50575 — Power, control, and communication cables. CPR reaction-to-fire performance, including Euroclass Cca and B2ca designations.
  IEC 60754-1/2 — Test on gases evolved during combustion of materials from cables. Determination of halogen acid gas content (Part 1) and pH/conductivity (Part 2).
  IEC 61034-2 — Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions. 3-metre cube test method.
  Construction Products Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 — Mandatory CE marking framework. Compliance evidenced via Declaration of Performance (DoP) under harmonised standard EN 50575.
  ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU — Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Applies where the cable forms part of an ATEX-certified installation.




Why is aluminium armour used on single-core RZ1MZ1-K cables instead of steel wire?
Single-core cables carrying alternating current generate a time-varying magnetic field around the conductor. A ferromagnetic armour such as galvanized steel wire would concentrate this flux, inducing eddy currents and hysteresis losses in the armour material. This parasitic heating can raise the cable's operating temperature beyond permissible limits and reduce ampacity. Aluminium, being non-magnetic, eliminates these magnetic losses. This practice aligns with guidance in IEC 60502-1, which addresses induced sheath and armour currents in single-core installations.

What does the CPR Euroclass Cca-s1,d1,a1 classification mean in practice?
The classification under EN 50575 and the Construction Products Regulation breaks down as follows:

  Cca: Reaction-to-fire rating on a scale from Aca (highest) to Fca (lowest). Cca indicates limited flame spread and moderate heat release.
  s1: Smoke production class — s1 is the highest rating, meaning very limited smoke emission during combustion (total smoke production < 50 m² and peak smoke production rate < 0.25 m²/s per EN 50399).
  d1: Flaming droplet/particle class — d1 indicates no flaming droplets persisting longer than 10 seconds within the first 1,200 seconds of testing.
  a1: Acidity class — a1 confirms very low acidity of combustion gases (conductivity < 2.5 µS/mm and pH > 4.3 per EN 60754-2).

Where B2ca is achieved, this corresponds to a higher flame-spread resistance than Cca, meeting the stricter requirements of certain EU member state building regulations for high-risk occupancies.

Can RZ1MZ1-K be installed directly underground without additional conduit?
Yes. The galvanized steel wire armour provides sufficient mechanical protection for direct burial in soil, provided the installation complies with local wiring regulations and the burial depth meets the requirements of IEC 60364-5-52 or equivalent national standards. The LSZH outer sheath resists moisture and chemical degradation typical of soil environments. However, the following conditions must be observed:

  The burial route must be free of sharp stones or debris that could concentrate pressure on the sheath. A sand or fine soil bedding layer (minimum 100 mm) above and below the cable is recommended.
  Armour earthing must be carried out at both ends (for multi-core) or in accordance with single-core bonding arrangements per IEC 60079-14 if installed in ATEX zones.
  Where the cable crosses vehicle traffic zones, additional mechanical protection such as reinforced concrete slabs or ducting is advised unless the burial depth exceeds 600 mm.