Analysis of the Core Differences and Selection Applications between Class A Non-Combustible Cables and Flame-Retardant Class A Cables

To clarify the core differences between Class A non-combustible cables and flame-retardant Class A cables and to provide guidance for engineering selection, a comparative analysis of their structural design, product and test standards, and application sites was conducted. The results indicated their distinct emphases on fire performance: Class A non-combustible cables, requiring a total heat value of materials below 2.0 MJ·kg⁻¹, concentrate on maintaining circuit integrity and functionality during fire; flame-retardant Class A cables, requiring a charring height below 2.5 m in bunched burning tests, concentrate on inhibiting vertical flame spread. It was concluded that cable selection should be based on project standards, site fire risk, occupant density, and code requirements. Class A non-combustible cables are suitable for extremely high-risk scenarios such as fire protection and safety-critical systems, while flame-retardant Class A cables are applicable for main circuits in areas with high fire risk and high occupant density.