Artic Hookup cable. Never mind the cost feel the flex.

Pete and Liz

Pete and Liz

Joined
Mar 13, 2021
Posts
80
Likes collected
715
Location
East Yorkshire, UK
Funster No
79,726
MH
Hymer B698
Exp
2018
All
Just thought I would let you know the experience I have had with buying some Artic Yellow cable to use a new hookup cable.
After having issues winding up the standard orange cable after a cold night I though it would be a good idea to invest in some to the Artic cable which is supposed to remain flexible down to -40 according to the BS. So I ordered some from Toolstation the other day £67 for 50Mt, not the cheapest and not the most expensive but as I have used the like of Toolstaion before a safe bet I thought.
The drum arrived and when unwinding 25Mt I did think it was a little stiff but put it down it being on the drum a long time. After cutting the cable and make the new commando plug connections I did think it was very stiff and not like any Artic cable I had used before. So I thoughtI would give it a test. I cut off 1Mtr and put it in our freezer which is set a steady -15. After 30 mins I took it out and it was a stiff as iron rod, hardly flexible at all without a lot of effort. The cable drum was marked up with the correct EN and CE markings but clearly doesn't meet the specification.
I did email Toolstaiton customer help but no response and I have email the manufacturer Pitacs so it will be interesting what they say.
So if you fancy a flexible winter hookup cable best to go down to your local electrical supplier and feel before you buy so you don't waste your time and money like I have done.
 
I had a similar experience with blue arctic cable some years ago, can't remember where I got it but it was totally useless stiffer than the ordinary cable.
 
vzac said:
Did not know there was artic or arctic cables perhaps should test out Antarctic cables as well.
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Apologies for my spelling error.

As A Dyslexic it is hard enough to post on here as it is so you will see the odd ,and sometimes more, grammatical or spelling error.

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It says it was manufactured in Turkey although the company Pitacs has a big base in the UK.
 

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I have a blue arctic cable which remains flexible when cold but unhelpfully I can't remember where I bought it. So it does exist but I suspect there is also counterfeit stuff about.
 
Pete and Liz said:
Apologies for my spelling error.

As A Dyslexic it is hard enough to post on here as it is so you will see the odd ,and sometimes more, grammatical or spelling error.
Click to expand...
I do this all the time, and not just don't bother trying to fix...most folk will know what I mean.
if not they can go pray to dog :)

I find people a lot more knowledgable on these things these days and more acepting.

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Pete and Liz said:
It says it was manufactured in Turkey although the company Pitacs has a big base in the UK.
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I would return it and tell them what you think of it.
Although I asked if Polish the usual problem with Polish cable is lack of chalk in it making it difficult to strip.

Although a lot more expensive I would buy a British made cable like BICC or Delta.
 
I have both blue and yellow Arctic cable , used to use it at work before i retired so bought it trade and been using it 10 years,the yellow is a bit more flexible than the blue but both wind up on my reels fairly easily. Cant remember the supplier but Uk supplied and used to get it in 100m drums.
 
Pete and Liz said:
All
Just thought I would let you know the experience I have had with buying some Artic Yellow cable to use a new hookup cable.
After having issues winding up the standard orange cable after a cold night I though it would be a good idea to invest in some to the Artic cable which is supposed to remain flexible down to -40 according to the BS. So I ordered some from Toolstation the other day £67 for 50Mt, not the cheapest and not the most expensive but as I have used the like of Toolstaion before a safe bet I thought.
The drum arrived and when unwinding 25Mt I did think it was a little stiff but put it down it being on the drum a long time. After cutting the cable and make the new commando plug connections I did think it was very stiff and not like any Artic cable I had used before. So I thoughtI would give it a test. I cut off 1Mtr and put it in our freezer which is set a steady -15. After 30 mins I took it out and it was a stiff as iron rod, hardly flexible at all without a lot of effort. The cable drum was marked up with the correct EN and CE markings but clearly doesn't meet the specification.
I did email Toolstaiton customer help but no response and I have email the manufacturer Pitacs so it will be interesting what they say.
So if you fancy a flexible winter hookup cable best to go down to your local electrical supplier and feel before you buy so you don't waste your time and money like I have done.
Click to expand...
Your argument is with Toolstation.

You have 'Bu&&ered up' (Technical term) your rights under the Consumer Act
by cutting off the metre length.

You could be cheeky and connect up the connector and still complain.

That is up to you.
 
Emmit said:
Your argument is with Toolstation.

You have 'Bu&&ered up' (Technical term) your rights under the Consumer Act
by cutting off the metre length.

You could be cheeky and connect up the connector and still complain.

That is up to you.
Click to expand...
Cable doesn't meet the claimed spec doesn't matter that he has cut it.

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Emmit maybe I wasn't very clear. I got it a a 50Mt unterminated reel . I cut off 25Mts to make up the hook up cable and then cut off a further 1Mtr as a test for the freezer.
Interestingly the Manufacture has emailed me back asking for the details of the cable ,pictures of the drum with all the markings and the writing on the cable and is going to get back to me. So we will see what happens .
 
Lenny HB said:
Cable doesn't meet the claimed spec doesn't matter that he has cut it.
Click to expand...
That's true but it gives Toolstation mitigation (although I accept that would be disingenuous.)
 
Well the manufacturer has just offered me a replacement 50Mtr reel but insists that the cable has been verified and certified in the UK and meets the standard. I also found out that Pitacs actually import and distribute most of the Arctic cable brands in the UK. I have accepted the offer I wonder what it will be like.?
 
Pete and Liz said:
Apologies for my spelling error.

As A Dyslexic it is hard enough to post on here as it is so you will see the odd ,and sometimes more, grammatical or spelling error.
Click to expand...
Hi it was not meant to be a criticism, I 2 am dyslexic so know what it's like 1st hand. It was more about a lot of people get artic, and arctic mixed up, one is a truck the other a big ocean up north. If you watched the apprentice last season, one group made an almighty cock up with the 2 words. Only reason I knew the difference is geography ( conservation etc) is my ( was my work). 🙂

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UPDATE:
New reel of cable arrive from the manufacture. Looks the same, feels the same, has same EN CE marking and still not very flexible at room temp (26 C today) . Cut off 30cm's as a test and in to the freezer for 30 mins at -19 C. 30 mins later stiff as heck, it would not be possible to wind it on to a cable drum without significant effort.
Not sure if I am expecting too much or has the EN BS specification changed but as I remember it Arctic cable used to be soft and super flexible at room temp and a lot more flexible than the standard Orange on a cold morning decamp.

Idea's ?

Just for a direct comparison I put 30cm of my old Orange 2.5mm2 cable in the freezer for the same time and its more flexible but I can really quantify by how much more.

It's not that I don't have better things to do its just that you expect things to do what they say on the tin or cable in this case.
 
Check this out. It is clearly not artic grade if not flexible at domestic freezer settings of -18.
 
vzac said:
It was more about a lot of people get artic, and arctic mixed up, one is a truck the other a big ocean up north
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Surely artic is short for articulated, ie flexible and bendy. Arctic is a polar region up north, frozen solid in winter. :smiley::wait::smiley:
 
I will add to what Lenny HB mentioned earlier, being a sparky most of my life, I would only use BASEC approved cables, many cable reels will state BS CE Approved but if it doesn't meet The BASEC approval grade then I wouldn't have fitted it. I used BICC, Delta & Pirelli most of the time, and was never disappointed.
Link to Basec Approval Service standard for cables.
www.basec.org.uk

Cable products we can certify | BASEC

British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is an independent and non-profit accredited certification body. Our mark is synonymous with quality and safety.
www.basec.org.uk www.basec.org.uk
This is an example of the quality/grade you should be looking for from these suppliers, give them a call, they may supply you with 25Mtrs the amount you need. Its your choice as to whether to go for 1.5mm or 2.5mm 3 core, but 1.5mm will accept a max of 16 amps current which should be OK with volt drop less than 3-4%
www.elandcables.com

318-A / Arctic Grade Cable | Eland Cables

View Eland Cables' range of 318-A Artic Grade low temperature cables manufactured in accordance with BS6004. Technical support, fast quote and fast delivery.
www.elandcables.com www.elandcables.com
LES
 
Pete and Liz said:
UPDATE:
New reel of cable arrive from the manufacture. Looks the same, feels the same, has same EN CE marking and still not very flexible at room temp (26 C today) . Cut off 30cm's as a test and in to the freezer for 30 mins at -19 C. 30 mins later stiff as heck, it would not be possible to wind it on to a cable drum without significant effort.
Not sure if I am expecting too much or has the EN BS specification changed but as I remember it Arctic cable used to be soft and super flexible at room temp and a lot more flexible than the standard Orange on a cold morning decamp.

Idea's ?

Just for a direct comparison I put 30cm of my old Orange 2.5mm2 cable in the freezer for the same time and its more flexible but I can really quantify by how much more.

It's not that I don't have better things to do its just that you expect things to do what they say on the tin or cable in this case.
Click to expand...
My idea would be to sell both of them and buy a better cable

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Just move to Spain, then you won’t need cold climate cables😀
 
Wack said:
My idea would be to sell both of them and buy a better cable
Click to expand...
Well it is BASEC , has the sticker and the manufacture is on their list of approved cables. I did check this before ordering and downloaded the spec sheet.
 

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This is a description of a similar problem from a few years ago, may be relevant. It's about ordinary cable being passed off as arctic grade, but it shows a physical test that you could perform on a frozen cable to see if it splits.

I wonder what could possibly be the reason for the relaxation of electrical standards of imported goods that we are starting to see...

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