What Is BFOU Cable?
The BFOU cable is a fire-resistant offshore and marine power cable rated 0.6/1kV, designed to maintain circuit integrity during fire conditions per IEC 60331. The designation “BFOU” follows the NEK 606 / IEC 60502 standard system: B indicates fire-resistant insulation, F indicates flexible conductor, O indicates oil-resistant sheath, and U indicates PVC/LSZH outer sheath. BFOU cables are critical for offshore oil platforms, ships, and marine installations where fire safety and power continuity are essential.
TEBAOFLEX manufactures BFOU cable to NEK 606 and IEC 60331 compliance with DNV, ABS, and LR certification support. View our BFOU 0.6/1kV fire resistant offshore power cable product page for detailed specifications.
BFOU Cable Construction
The BFOU cable features a specialized multi-layer construction engineered for fire resistance and offshore durability:
Conductor
- Material: Tinned copper (Class 2 or Class 5 per IEC 60228)
- Type: Flexible stranded copper for marine vibration resistance
- Tinning: Tin coating prevents oxidation in marine atmosphere
- Sizes: 1.5mm² to 400mm² per core
Fire Barrier Layer
- Material: Mica glass tape wrapped over each conductor
- Function: Maintains electrical integrity during fire by protecting conductor from direct flame
- Fire rating: IEC 60331-21/31 — circuit integrity maintained at 750°C to 950°C for 90-180 minutes
Insulation
- Material: Silicone rubber or EPR (ethylene propylene rubber)
- Temperature rating: 90°C continuous, 250°C short-term emergency
- Dielectric strength: Excellent electrical properties maintained at elevated temperature
Inner Sheath and Filler
- Material: LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) compound
- Function: Flame retardant, low toxic gas emission in fire
Armour
- Material: Galvanized steel wire braid (GSWB) or tinned copper wire braid
- Function: Mechanical protection, electromagnetic screening, and physical durability
Outer Sheath
- Material: LSZH (low smoke zero halogen) compound, typically orange (ST1) or black
- Properties: Flame retardant (IEC 60332-3), low smoke (IEC 61034), low halogen (IEC 60754)
- UV resistance: Suitable for outdoor deck installation
- Oil resistance: Resistant to hydraulic oils, fuels, and lubricants
BFOU Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard | NEK 606 / IEC 60502-1 / IEC 60331 |
| Voltage Rating | 0.6/1kV (600/1000V) |
| Conductor | Tinned copper Class 2/5 per IEC 60228 |
| Fire Barrier | Mica glass tape over each core |
| Insulation | Silicone rubber or EPR |
| Armour | Galvanized steel wire braid (GSWB) |
| Sheath | LSZH (orange ST1 or black) |
| Fire Resistance | IEC 60331-21 (750°C, 90min) or IEC 60331-31 (950°C) |
| Flame Retardancy | IEC 60332-3-22 (Category A) |
| Smoke Density | IEC 61034 (light transmittance >60%) |
| Halogen Content | IEC 60754-1 (0% halogen) |
| Max Conductor Temp | 90°C continuous |
| Min Operating Temp | -20°C (fixed), -15°C (flexing) |
| Min Bending Radius | 8× OD (fixed), 10× OD (during installation) |
| Oil Resistance | IR2 per EN 50363 |
Available Configurations
| Cores × Cross-Section | Approx. OD (mm) | Approx. Weight (kg/km) | Conductor Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 1.5 mm² | 8.0 | 90 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 2.5 mm² | 8.5 | 110 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 4 mm² | 9.5 | 145 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 6 mm² | 10.5 | 180 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 10 mm² | 12.0 | 250 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 16 mm² | 13.5 | 340 | Class 5 |
| 1 × 25 mm² | 15.5 | 470 | Class 2 |
| 1 × 35 mm² | 17.0 | 600 | Class 2 |
| 1 × 50 mm² | 19.5 | 800 | Class 2 |
| 1 × 70 mm² | 22.0 | 1080 | Class 2 |
| 1 × 95 mm² | 24.5 | 1400 | Class 2 |
| 1 × 120 mm² | 27.0 | 1720 | Class 2 |
| 3 × 1.5 mm² | 13.0 | 220 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 2.5 mm² | 14.5 | 280 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 4 mm² | 16.0 | 360 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 6 mm² | 18.0 | 460 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 10 mm² | 21.0 | 650 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 16 mm² | 24.0 | 900 | Class 5 |
| 3 × 25 mm² | 28.0 | 1250 | Class 2 |
| 3 × 35 mm² | 31.0 | 1600 | Class 2 |
| 3 × 50 mm² | 35.0 | 2100 | Class 2 |
| 3 × 70 mm² | 40.0 | 2800 | Class 2 |
| 3 × 95 mm² | 45.0 | 3700 | Class 2 |
| 4 × 1.5 mm² | 14.0 | 250 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 2.5 mm² | 15.5 | 320 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 4 mm² | 17.5 | 420 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 6 mm² | 19.5 | 540 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 10 mm² | 23.0 | 780 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 16 mm² | 26.5 | 1080 | Class 5 |
| 4 × 25 mm² | 31.0 | 1500 | Class 2 |
| 4 × 35 mm² | 34.5 | 1900 | Class 2 |
Note: Values are approximate and for reference only. Contact TEBAOFLEX for detailed datasheets and project-specific configurations.
Standards and Certifications
- NEK 606: Norwegian standard for offshore installation cables
- IEC 60331-21/31: Fire resistance test for cables — circuit integrity at 750-950°C
- IEC 60332-3-22: Flame retardancy (Category A — most stringent)
- IEC 61034: Smoke density measurement (light transmittance >60%)
- IEC 60754-1/2: Halogen content and acidity of gases evolved
- IEC 60228: Conductor standards
Classification society certifications available: DNV (Det Norske Veritas), ABS (American Bureau of Shipping), LR (Lloyd’s Register), BV (Bureau Veritas). View TEBAOFLEX certification documents.
BFOU Cable Selection Guide
- Confirm fire rating required: IEC 60331-21 (750°C/90min) for general fire safety, IEC 60331-31 (950°C) for critical zones
- Choose voltage: 0.6/1kV for LV distribution; for MV, see our RFOU offshore cable range
- Calculate current: Determine full-load current with derating for ambient temperature and grouping
- Select core count: 1C for feeders, 3C/4C for 3-phase distribution, multi-core for control
- Verify classification society: DNV, ABS, LR, or BV as required by project specification
- Confirm LSZH: Ensure sheath material meets IEC 61034 and IEC 60754 for enclosed spaces
Why Choose TEBAOFLEX for BFOU Cable?
- Full IEC 60331 fire resistance compliance with mica glass tape fire barrier
- LSZH sheath meeting IEC 61034 and IEC 60754 for maximum fire safety
- DNV, ABS, LR, BV classification society certification support
- Galvanized steel wire braid armour for mechanical durability
- Wide range: 1.5mm² to 400mm², 1 to 48 cores
- Custom configurations for specific offshore project requirements
- Global export experience with documented offshore project references
- Factory-direct competitive pricing — typically 30-50% lower than European brands
Browse our oil, gas & marine cable products or request a quotation for your BFOU cable requirements.
