a new breed of halogenhalogen--free category … new breed of halogenhalogen--free category...

A New Breed of A New Breed of HalogenHalogen--Free Category CableFree Category Cable

Giovanni (John) DiscenzaNational Sales Manager, General Cable

AgendaAgenda• What is LEED?• Why focus on green?• What defines a “green” cable?g• What are halogens?• Effects of halogens on the environment and

humans• Why are halogens used in category cables?

A b d f h l f bl• A new breed of halogen free cables• FAQ


What is LEED?What is LEED?• LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification

system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across alldesigned and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

• LEED promotes integrated, entire building design and construction practices and encourages awareness of various green building benefits.

• LEED recognizes performance in six key areas of human and environmental health:health: – Sustainable Site Development– Water Efficency– Energy and Atmosphere– Materials and Resources– Indoor Environmental Quality– Innovation & Design Process+ Regional Priority Credits Regional Priority Credits Source: USGBC


What is LEED?What is LEED?LEED-certified buildings are designed to:• Lower operating costs and increase asset value• Lower operating costs and increase asset value. • Reduce waste sent to landfills. • Conserve energy and water. • Be healthier and safer for occupants. • Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. • Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in

hundreds of cities. • Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship

and social responsibility.

Source: USGBC


Why Focus on “Green?”Why Focus on Green?


LEED Point SystemLEED Point System• LEED 2009 rating systems

– 100-point scale – 10 additional points for regional priorities


LEED Point Opportunitiesfor Wire and Cable

• LEED Pilot Credit 2: PBT Source Reduction: Dioxins and Halogenated Organic CompoundsHalogenated Organic Compounds – Aimed at reducing PBTs (persistent bio-accumulative toxic chemicals),

associated with the life cycle of building materials, including electrical wiring and cable jacketing

– Use materials manufactured without added halogenated organic compounds1 for at least 75% (by cost) of the material totals in a minimum of three of the following four groups:

Exterior components (including at a minimum, roof membranes, te o co po e ts ( c ud g at a u , oo e b a es,waterproofing membranes, window and door frames, siding). Interior finishes (including at a minimum, flooring, base, ceiling tiles, wall coverings, and window treatments). Piping conduit and electrical boxesPiping, conduit and electrical boxes. Building-installed electrical cable and wire jacketing

– Value – 1 point* Source: USGBC. Please see LEED Pilot credit for complete details.



• Innovation and Design – To provide design teams and projects the opportunity to be awardedTo provide design teams and projects the opportunity to be awarded

points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED Green Building Rating System.Green Building Rating System.

– Point available for LEED accredited professionalValue – Up to 6 points

• Materials and Resources (where applicable)– MR 5 Regional Materials – Distance between project and final

manufacturing location (500 miles)V l 1 2 i tValue – 1-2 points

* S SG C f* Source: USGBC. Please see LEED credit library for complete details.



• What is the value of a point?– 1 point (low)

» 2 5% of baseline certification (40)» 2.5% of baseline certification (40)» 2% of gold certification (50)» 1.7% of silver certification (60)» 1.25% of platinum certification (80)

– 3 points (mid)» 7.5% of baseline certification (40)» 6% of gold certification (50)6% o go d ce t cat o (50)» 5% of silver certification (60)» 3.75% of platinum certification (80)

– 6 points (high)15% of baseline certification (40)» 15% of baseline certification (40)

» 12% of gold certification (50)» 10% of silver certification (60)» 7.5% of platinum certification (80)p ( )


What are Halogens?What are Halogens?


What are Halogens?What are Halogens?• Halogens

– Group 17 on the Periodic TableChlorine, Fluorine, Bromine, Iodine, Astatine

– Highly Reactive Produces bio-accumulative and toxic chemicalsFire hydrogen chloride/fluoride/ bromide/iodideFire – hydrogen chloride/fluoride/ bromide/iodide

Water – hydrochloric/flouric/bromic/iodic acids All of which can be considered toxic to the

i t d h i ffi i t titienvironment and humans in sufficient quantities


What are Halogens?What are Halogens?• Persistent Bio-Accumulative and Toxic Chemicals

PBT ll t t h i l th t t i i t i– PBT pollutants are chemicals that are toxic, persist in the environment and bio-accumulate in food chains and, thus, pose risks to human health and

t Th bi t b t PBTecosystems. The biggest concerns about PBTs are that they transfer rather easily among air, water, and land, and span boundaries of programs, geography,

d iand generations.

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)


Effects of HalogensEffects of Halogens • Environmental Examplep

– Chlorine exposed to hydrogen in a fireHydrogen Chloride: Toxic, corrosive, colorless gas

Attacks metals & limestone resulting in corrosion to buildings, monuments, and natural rock formsContributes to acid rain, resulting in pollutants being , g p gtransported throughout the atmosphere

In the upper atmosphere, chlorine-containing molecules have been implicated in the destructionmolecules have been implicated in the destruction of the ozone layer.


Effects of HalogensEffects of Halogens • Human Examplep

– Chlorine exposed to hydrogen in a fireHydrogen Chloride: Toxic, corrosive, colorless gas

Irritating and corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes Exposure to higher levels can result in narrowing of the p g gbronchioles and accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which can result in death.


Why are Halogens Used in Category Cables?

• Materials that contain halogensMaterials that contain halogens– PVC, CPE, Neoprene, FEP, and flame retardants are commonly used

because they are durable, resistant to fire, and relatively inexpensive

Compound Use

Polyvinyl Chloride Jacket (CMR & CMP)Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Jacket (CMR & CMP)

Fluoropolymers (FEP) Plenum (CMP) Insulation

Flame retardants Cross-web members, insulating materials, and jacketsmaterials, and jackets


What defines Green for Data communication cables?

? RoHS – Restriction of hazardous substances (European standard)

? Recycled Material – copper, packaging (Cardboard, plastic)

? Reduced Material – scrap reduction, smaller diameter cable

These are all environmentally responsible, but what makes the cable itself green?


Introducing 17 FREE™: A New Breed of Halogen-Free Cables

GenSPEED® 17 FREE ™ CMR rated cable uses a halogen free jacketing compound to replace the traditional PVC

g

free jacketing compound to replace the traditional PVC jacketing compound

• Halogen-free & UL Rated • Reduced Toxicity• More environmentally friendlyy y• Increased flexibility over European LSZH products

for easy installation


Benefits of a Halogen Free CableBenefits of a Halogen Free Cable


17 FREE™ CMR cables are electrically and physically equivalent to traditional cable

Traditional Category 5e CMR

Cat 5e CMR –17 FREE™

q

5e CMR 17 FREEUL 1666 CMR RatedMeets Cat 5e Electrical RequirementsMeets UL 444 Physical RequirementsCold Bend Failure Temperature (°C) -25 -45*

*17 Free has improved cold bend characteristics


Acidity Indicator TestAcidity Indicator Test


IEC 60754-2 Halogen Acid Gas Evolution Testing

The closer the pH value is to zero, the more acidic

5Recommended pH = 4.3 or <5

6

p

3

4

1.45

1

2

0Traditional Cat 5e CMR PVC Jacket

CompoundNew GenSPEED® 17 FREE™ CMR

Jacket Compound


Benefits of a Halogen Free CableBenefits of a Halogen Free Cable


Additional Points to PonderAdditional Points to Ponder• Abandoned cable

The NEC defines abandoned cable as installed cable– The NEC defines abandoned cable as installed cable that is not terminated at both ends at equipment other than a connector and not identified for future use

– Hidden fire hazard with environmental/human impact– Hidden fire hazard with environmental/human impact

“A plenum that is packed with cabling can create the same fuel load as gasoline, says John Michlovic, manager of technicalload as gasoline, says John Michlovic, manager of technical

services and marketing for H.H. Robertson Floor Systems. But fire is not the only problem. The plastics also release toxic

smoke in a fire. The fire doesn’t necessarily ignite the cabling jackets immediately, but the heat can cause it to release clearjackets immediately, but the heat can cause it to release clear or white gases that are nearly undetectable. These gases can

be blinding or halt the respiratory system.”

Source: facilitiesnet.com, Hidden Fire Hazard: Abandoned Cable, By Rita Tatum, January 2007


FAQFAQ• Why not just use low-smoke, zero-halogen cable?

LSZH i E t d d th t i t li t d– LSZH is a European standard that is not listed as a UL 1666 CMR or NFPA 262 CMP ratings.

– Typically, LSZH category cables are more expensive yp y g y pand difficult to work with. The compound that produces the low-smoke attribute tends to be stiff and adds to the cost increase of approximately 30-40%.pp y


FAQFAQ• Can a product be LEED certifed?

N Th USGBC d t tif d t Th if– No. The USGBC does not certify products. Thus, if you buy 17 Free cable, you will not necessarily get a LEED credit. It is simply a halogen free cable that should be h l f l t d th LEED Pil t C dit 2 I tihelpful towards the LEED Pilot Credit 2, Innovation Credit, or Materials & Resource. Consult a LEED AP for complete information.

• What are the opportunities beyond the USGBC and LEED?– There are several organizations that encourage green building and g g g g

the reduction of harmful substances in building products (ex. ASHRAE, CALGreen). Additionally, many companies aim to be green without requiring certification.


Questions?Questions?Questions?Questions?


a new breed of halogenhalogen--free category … new breed of halogenhalogen--free category...

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