Batches of affected Altas Kablo cable originally dated from February this year. However, recent cable testing now clearly shows that the company had manufactured and supplied faulty cables as early as 2009 to the UK market.
Commenting on these findings, a spokesperson for the ACI said: "We are shocked by these findings as it is clear that the company was manufacturing substandard cables as early as 2009 and it isn’t just their declared batches of cable that have been affected.
"The problem installers and contractors face now is establishing how much of this cable has already been installed and energised, and whether installations are safe. From our own age testing we believe that the life of these cables may be dramatically reduced due to the insufficient copper they contain which leads to high conductor resistance and potential overheating.
"We believe that cables manufactured by the Turkish cable manufacturer Atlas Kablo should now be treated as suspect and we would urge contractors and installers to consider and review where they have already installed these cables and to seek guidance from qualified electrical authorities as to what action needs to be taken. Where they still hold product they should return it to the place of purchase.
"Wholesalers and distributors also have a legal responsibility and duty of care to ensure that they are not selling faulty cables which could cause injury or loss of life and should make customers aware of any suspicious and potentially unsafe cable. Any remaining stocks of these cables should not be sold into the market place."
Commenting on this latest issue concerning Atlas Kablo, Robert Cooper of the Health and Safety Executive’s Services, Transportation and Safety Unit said: "The HSE is evaluating the test results and considering further action. We share the same concerns as ACI, in that potentially dangerous products may have entered the supply chain. We would encourage anyone who has bought or installed these products to contact their suppliers or the British Approvals Service for Cables for further information."
The ACI has already brought to the attention of the industry many examples of faulty and dangerous cables including armoured cables, house wiring, arctic grade flex, flexible cords and fire-performance cables. Some of these have subsequently been recalled from the marketplace.
Atlas Kablo now appears to have ceased production. It has had its BASEC product certification licence cancelled and is no longer authorised to use the BASEC registered trademarks. Atlas Kablo’s HAR licence has also been removed.