from

FS
cables
Copper On The Move
A look back at copper fluctuations in 2010 Winter 2010 Issue 9

The rescue of the 33 trapped While fluctuations have an obvious £6,000.00

Chilean copper miners was
perhaps the only good press
copper received in 2010.
Unfortunately as each plucky miner
was rising skyward, so was the
price of copper.
Copper price has soared over the last
12 months. So much so that in
October the LME copper price had
risen to USD8000 per tonne, its
highest level in two years.
This is largely attributed to decreasing
stocks and increased demand from
China’s manufacturers. Copper stocks
are reportedly down 25%, the lowest
since November 2009, to 370,000
tonnes, while China’s economy
continues to grow unabated.
Speculators do suggest however, that
with the strengthening dollar, investors
will move away from metals and into
currency as an alternative investment.
This may put copper back into decline.
What does this mean in reality, and for
the electrical industry in the UK?
effect on the price of electric cable, the
proportion of copper in a cables cost
varies significantly.
Simple cables such as panel wiring,
twin and earth, flexes and armoured
cables have relatively high copper
content compared to the time and
processes involved in manufacturing
them.
Taking the example of a 6491X PVC
Conduit Wire, this may have a cost
make up of 65% copper, 5% PVC and
30% to cover production, packaging,
distribution and profit.
Assuming that all the other elements
remain the same, it is easy to see that
if copper doubles in price, the cost of
the cable will increase by 65%.
The copper content of a cable can vary
Copper Price (£) 2010
£5,000.00
£4,000.00
£3,000.00
Nov Jan Mar
2010 has been a turbulent year for copper price
More complicated cable with multiple
cores or pairs, screens, braids or a
special insulation or jacket material are
less affected by copper fluctuations.
If you have a regular requirement in
the medium or short term, it may be
worth buying it in one go - fixing your
cost and making the most of any
quantity discounts on offer.
This has the sizeable advantage of
securing your cost and insulating
yourself against any future rises and
May Jul Sept Nov
also guaranteeing continuity of supply.
Wherever possible we try and keep our
prices constant. Nobody likes rises and
fluctuations in price, especially in the
current economic climate.
We are happy to discuss fixed pricing
agreements, where cable can be called
off over a pre-agreed period of time.
This means you don’t have the
problems of storage but do benefit
from consistent pricing.

Issue 10 of ‘the little red book’ released In this issue

FS FS
Issue 10 of FS Cables cabling guide include multiple elements such as Cat- • Copper On The Move
cables

‘The Little Red Book’ is out now.
Extended to 176 pages and
increased in size to A5, a host of
new products and updated technical
tables are included.
cables
5E, coax, fibre or control cable • Issue 10 of the Little Red
contained within one distinctively pink
jacket for easy routing. Book Released
• Antennax™ and Connectors
The coax section now benefits from a
• Draka FireTuf Cables
full range of connectors in stock, so you

FS FS
can easily select the accompanying • KNX Update
Be among the first to receive your free
connector when choosing your cable. • Tools
copy, simply return the enclosed
postage paid reply card and we’ll send
A range of tools make an appearance cables cables
• Q&A with Katrina Maltman
one out immediately. for the first time, including cable • Conductor Sizing
cutters, strippers and crimpers, tools for • In Brief
Issue 10 features the new FSC range of coaxial and structured wiring.
high performance HA multimedia • Editorial
cables for home automation. These Continued on page 3

FS FS
cables

cables

+++ Metal Prices +++ Metal Prices +++ Metal Prices +++
23rd November 2010 23rd November 2009 Change %
COPPER £5,274.88 £4,183.73 +26.08%
ALUMINIUM £1,421.48 £1,218.51 +16.66%
SILVER £17.49 £11.30 +54.79%

FS FS
NICKEL £13,562.17 £10,211.65 +32.81%
All prices per 1000kg except silver per oz. Exchange rates apply at time of trade

cables cables

In Brief
Copper Stats
With the price of copper on the
London Metal Exchange (LME) varying
by the hour it is impossible to predict
where it will be tomorrow, let alone
next month. Add to this the variations
in exchange rate, and you’ve got a
recipe for volatility.
Distr
Distributors are on occasion caught
b
St. A Fax: 01 scables
out selling cable at prices below
0 84 www
replacement costs and customers are
sometimes holding off placing orders
in the hope copper will fall. Sadly they
are often disappointed.
The graph on the cover shows the
average copper price in Pounds for
2010 - who knows what it will look
like for 2011. If you fancy a flutter we
know a man in London taking bets!
Prysmian Bids
to Buy Draka
Following an unsuccessful attempt
from Nexans in October 2010,
Prysmian are now bidding to
acquire Draka.
At time of going to press Prysmian
has offered €840 million for Draka the
Dutch based cable manufacturer who
took over Delta Enfield in the 90’s.
Draka has two cable factories in the
UK at Derby and Washington
producing top quality cables. We hope
both factories will continue.
Multipair Cat-3
& Cat-5 cables
Where you need to run large numbers
of pairs of Cat-3 or Cat-5 cables over
distances multipair versions may be
the answer. Cat-3 10, 25, 50, 100 or
200 pair and Cat-5 25 pair are now
held in stock on bulk reels so you can
order just the cut lengths you need.
The cables offer considerable space
saving and are stocked in various
formats including Low Smoke Halogen
Free (LSHF), PE duct grade or
standard PVC.
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Antennax™
The high performance, ultra low loss coaxial cable
Antennax is the new range of high
performance, ultra low loss coaxial
cables designed to carry signals from
a cabinet to an antenna, aerial or dish.
Developed for microwave, satellite and
mobile phone masts, these cables are
manufactured and tested to 6GHz to
ensure optimum levels of
performance.
These cables are suitable for jumper or
patch assemblies in RF communication
systems, antenna feeder runs and
installations where routing requires
compact, flexible low loss coaxial cable.
Draka Firetuf Data and Coax
Becomes FT Data and FT Coax
FS Cables, working in partnership with
Draka are the official distribution
partner for the FT range of high
performance circuit integrity cables.
Previously known as Firetuf, these
cables provide continued functionality
in the event of fire.
Both types of cables meet the stringent
London Underground (LU) fire resistance
requirements for circuit integrity to
BS 5839-1 2002 + A2 2008 flammability
to BS 4066: Part 3, smoke emission to
BS EN 50268-2 and toxic fume emissions
to LU 1-085 A2 .
FT Data cables have been developed to
mimic Cat-5 performance as closely as
possible and are increasingly popular with
system integrators for BMS applications in
public buildings.
The high speed data transmission makes
FT Data the ideal choice for backbone
wiring intelligent fire alarm systems or
emergency telephone links. They are
available as 1, 2 and 4 pair cables and can
be terminated into conventional IDC
connectors for easy installation.
The LSHF version offers protection where
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the evacuation of people or property in the
event of fire is critical. A range of high
a
quality N type and other connectors to suit
Antennax are also available along with
stripping and crimping tools.
For more information on the Antennax
range including connectors, request your
free guide by returning the enclosed pre-
paid card.
characteristics and performance figures
for the cable range the handy guide details
FS
ble
s the appropriate connectors you need when
ca
specifying.
Antennax
Many can replace standard RG cables
where low loss and high performance are
required.
The bonded foil and braid screen delivers
high levels of electrical protection while the
foamed dielectric and flexible outer jacket
ensure that bending and handling
characteristics are not compromised.
Stocked in LSHF (Low Smoke Halogen Free)
and LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) these
cables are ideal for both internal and external
installations. The LDPE version offers long life
expectancy and weatherability, ideal for runs
clipped to masts or towers with a high
degree of exposure.
FS Cables
Join CEDIA
FT Coax is a high performance CCTV FS Cables have joined CEDIA as a trade
supplier. CEDIA is a worldwide trade
cable designed to carry on transmitting
video even in the event of a fire. organisation for the home electronics
industry and promotes professional
The continued functionality provides standards around the design, supply
remote monitoring of tunnels, fire doors and installation of automated
and evacuation routes during a fire electronic systems for the modern
allowing the emergency services to intelligent home.
prioritise response actions and improve
evacuation times - substantially reducing This can include anything from multi-room
the risk of fatalities. audio and home cinema systems to
complete home networks which control
FT Coax & FT Data are LU approved for lighting, security, and HVAC.
use on London Underground and are
Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF)
throughout.
Joining CEDIA demonstrates FS Cables
commitment to this fast growing sector. A
In addition, they meet the fire resistance
number of products for home automation
and building control are currently offered
requirements of BS EN 50200:2000 and from stock including Cat-5/6/7 and the
BS 8434-2:2003 and achieved the recently certified KNX cable.
required performance of BS 8438-2
class PH120 (120 minutes survival time) In addition, a range of high performance
for FR enhanced cables. composite cables which contain multiple
elements such as audio, data and HDMI
To meet recent high demand for the FT transmission are now in the new ‘Little
range, FS Cables have increased stock
Red Book’.
levels on both FT Coax and FT Data. Both
are available for next working-day For more details visit www.cedia.co.uk
delivery.
KNX Update
Cable Certification
In addition to the KNX two pair cable,
FSC now offer duct grade, armoured and
white versions with KNX certification.
The duct grade version features a tough
black UV resistant polyethylene (PE)
waterproof jacket over the standard
LSHF inner sheath.
The armoured version uses the
substantial duct grade cable as a base
with the addition of 0.9mm solid
galvanised steel wires cased in a heavy
waterproof PE jacket - making it one of
the toughest cables around.
For internal installations where the cable
may be visible, the white KNX cable is
ideal. The cable is exactly the same in
construction as the standard green 2
pair 0.8mm but has a white LSHF sheath
with yellow printing.
All three have been certified by the KNX
association as being suitable for use on
KNX systems and bear the KNX logo.
Using certified products ensures the
quality, reliability and guaranteed
compatibility between KNX devices and
equipment.
KNX UK
Since the last issue of Wired, FS Cables
have also joined KNX UK as a
manufacturer member.
KNX UK is a group of manufacturers,
installers and integrators who promote
the KNX standard within the UK.
Joining KNX UK follows FS Cables
membership with KNX International and
subsequent certification of the KNX
twisted pair cable.
For more information please visit
www.knxuk.org
20th Anniversary
This year KNX celebrates its 20th
Anniversary but recent reports show that
that the UK still lags behind Europe in
terms of adopting the KNX standard. Editorial
Compare the 220 certified KNX
engineers listed in the UK to the 294 in
the Netherlands, 447 in Poland, 2,086
in Spain, and 7,344 integrators in
Germany!
Take up of new KNX installers training at
accreditation centres such as British
Research Establishment (BRE) is strong
though, as Wired saw when it visited a
training course in September.
For more information on KNX training
courses available at BRE please visit
www.bre.co.uk
Free KNX Guides It’s been a fascinating year – we’ve
As a member of KNX UK, we are able to certainly worked harder, hopefully smarter,
send out free copies of the ‘KNX
with a record number of shipments.
Consultants Guide’ and the new ‘KNX
Guide to Residential Applications’ to our
readers. Copper fluctuations have been as
challenging as ever with a fine line
If you would like a copy, simply tick the between getting pricing right and
box on the enclosed pre-paid reply card. maintaining stocks.
Overall we’ve increased our stock levels by
around 20% in real terms by broadening
the range and diversity of products. Never
shy of stocking even niche cables we view
stock as an investment and not a liability.

Tools a telescopic handled version (ideal for

To complement our range of cables
we now offer a selection of cable
preparation, cutting and termination
tools. As users of cutting and
preparation tools for many years
ourselves, we wanted to find
products which combined quality
with great value for money.
Manufactured to extremely high
standards and complying with ISO
9001:2000 the tools are robust and built
to last. Heat treated hardened steel is
used so the blades cut cleanly time after
time.
Our portable hydraulic cutters will cut
most cables including armoured, mains,
aluminium and copper, concentric,
telephone and large flexible and
instrumentation cables.
Flip-top rotatable heads which easily
clamp over the cable allow cutting at any
angle in comfort. The dual action
The Little Red Book Continued...
Continued from the cover...
These are all in addition to the existing
pages on data, coax and bus cables,
signal & control, telephone and audio
cables, high temperature including
silicones and PTFE, rubber & crane,
spiral cables and a section on fire &
security cables.
Each page features a clear key
indicating the variety of sheathing
options available over the standard
hydraulic pump closes the cutter jaws
quickly until resistance is met at which
point the second stage completes the
cutting with the least possible effort.
Special versions are also available
designed to cut solid steel rebar used to
reinforce concrete. If you want
a separate cutting head and pump this is
also catered for, ideal when working in
a confined space or for mounting to
a cable winding or payout machine.
Conventional two handed cutters are
also stocked in three lengths from
350mm to 700mm including
PVC, such as Low Smoke Halogen Free,
duct grade or armoured SWA.
As before, selected tables from the
17th Edition Wiring Regulations are
included for reference, as are guides to
British, European and American colour
codes. Also featured are AWG to Metric
conversion charts, stranding charts and
a handy Belden cross reference table.
‘The Little Red Book’ is an ideal cabling
companion either on site or in the office.
carrying in a tool box) capable of cutting
unarmoured cables up to 240mm of
copper or aluminium.
Hydraulic and hand crimpers are also
stocked to suit anything from a 400mm2
lug to a tiny coax connector. The benefit
of the hydraulic crimpers is the ease of
fitting lugs securely onto large
conductors.
Each tool comes with a set of dies to suit
and a handy carrying case. Separate
crimping heads are also available for
bench work, or for working in very
confined areas. The range is rounded off
with hand cutters and strippers for safe,
easy cutting and termination.
With no minimum order quantity you can
buy a single item or more to supply other
sites or engineers.
Full details are available in issue 10 of
‘The Little Red Book’, or if you are
passing St Albans come in and try them
for yourself!
Return the enclosed reply card to us,
email littleredbook@fscables.com
for your free copy, or text CABLES to
65000 followed by your name, company
and address.
If you are having problems obtaining any
cable, talk to us – it may be we have a
suitable substitute or we may have other
customers also asking for it in which case
we may adopt it as a new stock line.
By far the most exciting development has
been our commitment to apprenticeships.
A couple of years ago we offered NVQ’s to
staff and seven members of the warehouse
(including the warehouse manager) took
them up. This year we created 5
apprenticeship roles and with these
successfully filled, we are now looking for
two more people.
These are all long term, permanent jobs
with trainees rotating through all
departments to get a flavour of the
business and ensure their focus is on
looking after the customer. The more they
know and understand about the business
the more of a valuable asset they will
become. So far the signs are highly
promising with each department
developing a training plan.
As the year comes to a close, I would like
to thank all our customers for their support
and business and reiterate if you have any
comments – good or bad – or would like
to discuss anything in this issue of Wired,
please get in touch – email, phone, fax or
just call in for a chat.
Best wishes
Jon Herbert
jon@fscables.com
 Q&A
With Katrina Maltman - Human Resources
What is your role at FS Cables?
I am involved in all aspects of HR
administration. Most of my time over the last
few months was spent on recruitment,
mainly focused on trainees for our
Apprenticeship Training Programme. I am
also responsible for ensuring that all our
policies and procedures are up to date and
meet current legislation.
What functions does HR perform?
Our customer service is key, therefore
training and development plays a big part of
the HR function as the company grows.
In addition, I look after the day to day running
of the department which includes
recruitment, personnel records and issuing
and monitoring staff contracts.
Tell us more about the apprenticeship
programme?
We initially started with 2 apprentices back in
April, which we found to work extremely well.
We have developed the training programme
by introducing a rotational aspect where
each trainee spends time in all departments
in order to have a better understanding of
the entire company and how everything
contributes to overall results.
Each department has produced a training
manual with various modules which are
aimed at three key areas.
Firstly competence - what the trainee will be
able to do when they leave each department.
Secondly awareness - areas which are
outside their direct tasks but will have a
significant impact on the way they look after
customers.
Lastly is general information – any other
useful information in the long term of which
they may have no current knowledge.
Conductor Sizing
There have been high profile cases
FS
recently of substantially undersized
cables
conductors being sold, mainly in
products such as conduit wire, T&E or
flexes, showing total disregard to
safety.
In the good old days when copper was
FS
relatively cheap, conductors were
primarily sized by their cross sectional
area.
cables
This was all set out in IEC 60228 and
BS 6360 with different classes for solid,
FS
Alban Point, Alban Park, Hatfield Road, St. Albans, Herts AL4 0JX
cables
General Sales: 01727 840 841
Fax: 01727 840 842
www.fscables.com
sales@fscables.com
FS
cables
From left to right - Jamie Turner, Carla Luck, Mel Watson, Jensen Smart, Katrina Maltman and Jacques Rose
How does it work?
Apprenticeships are work based training
programmes and are designed around the
company’s needs and the specific roles the
trainees are taken on to do. Once an external
training provider has been appointed they
will support and assess the trainee
throughout the programme.
The apprenticeship framework consists of a
competence based element, an NVQ, a
knowledge based element which is a
technical certificate, transferable or ‘key’
skills and finally employment rights and
responsibilities. A programme will normally
take between 9 to 12 months to complete.
Who has been recruited so far?
We have recruited 5 apprentices this year so
far; Jensen Smart, Carla Luck, Mel Watson,
Jamie Turner and Jacques Rose. Carla and
Jensen have been with the company for 8
months and were employed in the UK Sales
department.
Jensen has started his rotation and is
currently working in the Purchasing
department and is enjoying his time there.
We are currently looking to recruit another
stranded and flexible conductors. While
these standards dictate the number of
strands and maximum strand size, the
overiding element is the maximum
resistance figure.
Originally this was to combat impure
copper conductors. Now however, due to
the high price of copper, many
manufacturers are working entirely to the
resistance figure and conductors are
bearing little resemblance to the correct
mm² size.
OEM Sales: 01727 849 801
Contractor Sales: 01727 849 802
Credit Control: 01727 849 827
Purchasing: 01727 849 805
Marketing: 01727 849 806
two people for the apprenticeship training
programme.
What training do they receive?
Apprenticeships work towards a National
Vocational Qualification (NVQ), this is
designed to test competence and shows that
the trainee can carry out their specific job
role effectively. In conjunction with this, the
assessors will ensure that each trainee will
develop technical knowledge and key skills.
The combination of practical and theoretical
learning ensures that the trainee obtains a
well-formed learning experience.
What are the benefits?
As we see it the benefit to the business is that
we will have fully-trained individuals who have
gained a greater understanding of the
company as a whole and will be able to put
what they have learned into practice.
We are committed to investing in all staff by
offering a fully comprehensive training
programme and the apprenticeship scheme
ensures that our new staff have the practical
This can cause major problems from
crimping on lugs and terminations.
Although a conductor may pass the
resistance test prior to manufacture, by
the time it has passed through the
unavoidable tensions and stresses of the
production process, reeling and
eventually installation, the conductors
can easily become elongated to a point
where the resistance figure is below the
acceptable standard.
skills and qualifications to meet both our needs
and more importantly those of the customer.
Why did the company decide to
implement the scheme?
The current difficulties of the country and in
particular employment issues affecting the
young are well documented.
Our aim was to do our bit to help and at the
same time get really engaged, well trained
employees who will hopefully stay with the
company for many years.
We have been massively impressed by the
quality and enthusiasm of many applicants
and are comfortable we have got some real
talent coming through.
We cannot change the world, but we can
make a difference to a small number of
people leaving school and college in the
Hertfordshire area.
If you have a suitable vacancy it is well worth
getting in touch with your local youth
employment team, you could make a big
difference to someone.
With copper likely to remain high for the
foreseeable future it is important to look
beyond just cost when comparing
quotes.
Suggested weights of copper for any
popular conductor size are shown in the
back of ‘The Little Red Book’ and you can
always get up to date copper prices from
www.lme.com.
As ever, if a price looks too good to be
true it probably is.