· 4 min read
Every copper house wire sold in India carries the same current. What separates them is the insulation, and in particular what that insulation does when it gets hot. The letters on the box tell you.
What the abbreviations mean
| Marking | Stands for | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| FR | Flame retardant | The insulation does not keep burning once the flame source is removed. |
| HR / HRFR | Heat resistant, flame retardant | A PVC that tolerates higher conductor temperatures before softening. |
| FR-LSH | Flame retardant, low smoke and halogen | Much less smoke and acid gas if the wire does burn. |
| HFFR / FRHF | Halogen-free, flame retardant | No halogen at all, so no corrosive hydrochloric gas when burning. |
Why smoke and halogen matter
In most building fires, people are harmed by smoke before they are reached by flame. Ordinary PVC releases thick black smoke and hydrogen chloride gas, which is toxic and corrodes electronics. Low-smoke and halogen-free compounds keep escape routes visible for longer and reduce damage to equipment.
How the Newtek range maps to these grades
- Shock Free (HRFR) is the everyday choice for independent houses and standard circuits.
- Fire Free (FR-LSH) suits apartments, offices and shops, where many people share corridors and stairs.
- Home Shield (halogen-free) is the safest choice for bedrooms, hospitals, schools and rooms full of electronics.
All three use the same class 5 flexible copper conductor, more than 99.95% pure, and all conform to IS 694. See the sizes and packing on the house wires page.