Increasing investments in the standardisation of sustainable wires and cables

As safety concerns in the wires and cable sector grow, the industry feels it is essential to invest in green and sustainable wires and cables that meet national and international requirements. 

Cable attachments are essential components for connecting cables and insulating conductors in direct contact with the ground. Porcelain terminations, heat shrinks, cable couplings, connection systems, and other cable accessories are available. These accessories help power equipment in overhead and subsurface installations last longer. Cable attachments help protect cables against UV radiation, environmental stress, and other natural phenomena that cause deterioration.

India’s push towards green and sustainable cables

In terms of product attributes and manufacture, industries are establishing standards and norms to be followed. Green and sustainable operations are already being implemented by progressive and futuristic businesses, while compliance concerns are currently driving the adoption of green quotients by others.

“Old, hazardous materials are being phased out of the wires and cable business. Green wires, developed by Polycab, have given them a head start. RoHS and Reach laws govern the use of elements like lead and cadmium in insulation”, says Bhushan Sawhney, Executive President and Chief Business Officer, Cables, Polycab India Limited. 

“The perfect product for the suitable application is the factor that has to be improved in India. The appropriate termination of all electrical circuits is another critical criteria,” says Arvind Agrawal, Vice President, Havells India. As a layman, you may not grasp all of the technical nuances of the electrical system, therefore it’s critical to entrust wiring, rewiring, and maintenance work to an experienced expert.

Effects of rising raw material and import costs Raw material costs have been a source of consternation for the whole wires and cables industry worldwide. The average worldwide copper price has increased by 25.7 percent since 2020, while the average aluminium price has increased by 42.18 percent since 2020. Here, explaining its impacts on the industry, Bhushan adds “The domino effect of raw material costs jolted wire and cable prices, causing numerous rapid price jumps in 2021. These sudden price spikes quiver the pre-decided budgets and expenditure plans of the on-going projects. This impacts the entire industry severely.”

In terms of raw material costs, we have witnessed an unparalleled surge in raw material prices over the last year or so. Switchgear, lights, cables & wires, and consumer durables are just a few examples, notes Arvind. Certain product areas, such as switchgears, lights, cables and wires, and consumer durables, have suffered lacklustre growth in recent years, with the COVID waves affecting demand. 

Key benefits of using better and safer wiring and cables

A house’s wiring system is analogous to the neurological system. Although it may appear to be a minor component, a little nerve pinch might result in partial or total paralysis. Further explaining, Bhushan emphasises that similarly, a lack of knowledge in the selection of the proper wire might result in the collapse of the entire building. The use of the correct wires and cables offers a sense of safety and security. Sudden voltage spikes from electrical grids or equipment failures can generate a surge in current flow in the wire or cable. 

If the product is not built to withstand such surges, it may cause a fire or a short circuit. Furthermore, in the case of a fire, smoke and poisonous vapours are more lethal than the flames themselves. As a result, the product’s insulating material should reject flames and generate no smoke or hazardous gases.

In India, the market for fire-resistant and flame retardant cables is thriving. India has one of the world’s fastest expanding economies. With more advanced vertical construction designs and newer technology, the country’s infrastructure will undergo major changes as a result of this expansion, believes Arvind. All of this increasing infrastructure and technological advancement is fuelled by electricity; thus, the quality of wiring and cables has become critical.

Until recently, when multiple news items concerning electrical fires occurred, end-users of wires and the cable business had never been picky about the brand or kind of wire to be used for the electrification of their property. Even today, the end-user consumer is aware yet misinformed. They are aware of the fire danger hazards associated with utilising poor items, but they are unaware of the existence of different types of wires and their characteristics.

Customers who purchase wires and cables on a professional level (project managers, architects, and so on) are well-versed in product varieties and features. They recognise the significance of employing high-quality wire in the properties they construct, as well as the serious consequences of using subpar wire. Today, they, too, value quality above money. Sales of pricey and high-end items such as BMS cables, optical fibre cables, and so on are increasing.

Fulfilling the growing need for a reliable and efficient power supply

According to Bhushan, in the wires and cable sector, there is a high entrance cost as well as a market penetration cost barrier. The acquisition of raw materials, the construction of workshops and factories, the establishment of testing laboratories, supply chain partners, depots, and warehouses, among other things, all draw massive expenditure. “There are very few Indian producers who can process and distribute huge orders of wires, cables, and other electrical items. This is due to the fact that most industries rely on imports and outsourcing for raw materials, and some simply lack the equipment and machinery to meet high demand”, he adds.

“BIS is widely used in India, but other standards such as BS, IEC, and others are used internationally. While producing cables in India, it guarantees that all safeguards and criteria are satisfied. BIS performs frequent audits and tests on the cables and production facilities”, Arvind conclude.

Furthermore, the widespread use of cable accessories in the installation of transmission and distribution (T & D) networks for internet systems, telephones, and power is increasing product demand. Furthermore, the increasing number of private companies in the power T & D industry has resulted in large-scale investments, which are projected to drive the expansion of the Indian cable accessories market in the future years.

There is a high entrance cost as well as a market penetration cost barrier in the wires and cables business.
Bhushan Sawhney, Executive President and Chief Business Officer – Cables, Polycab India Limited. 

Increasing infrastructure and advanced technologies further calls for installation of enhanced cables and wires for industrial safety.
Arvind Agrawal, Vice President, Havells India