This Defence Standard (Def Stan) covers the manufacture and testing requirements of rubber insulated Limited Fire Hazard (LFH) sheathed cables for power, lighting, control and communication and instrumentation circuits in HM Surface Ships and Submarines.

Unless otherwise specified in the Tables of Dimensions contained in Annex B, cables shall be rated at 440 V (rms sinusoidal) between cores and earth/screens and be suitable for use on systems in which the frequency of supply is up to and including 400 Hz.

Cables shall be used in applications where fuel and lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids and water are present, and shall be suitable for use within the temperature range –30° to +105°C. The maximum continuous conductor temperature shall be 90°C. The lower temperature limit refers to weatherdeck applications under ‘arctic' conditions, and the maximum continuous conductor temperature limit to the combination of ambient temperature and temperature rise due to maximum current flow. The insulation and sheathing materials shall have a service life exceeding 40000 hours at the maximum continuous conductor temperature before deterioration, as a direct result of thermal ageing, requires cable replacement.

Cables are required to withstand the conditions of reeving, temporary support and glanding into equipment and through bulkheads, that are accepted practices in the shipbuilding and ship refitting industry.