will lose its insulating properties causing shorts to the copper cladding, and thence to earth. It is often necessary to remove of the MI cable and splice in a new section to accomplish the repair. Depending on the size and number of conductors, a single termination can take between one and two hours of labour. Alternatives Circuit integrity for conventional plastic-insulated cables requires additional measures to obtain a fire-resistance rating or to lower the flammability and smoke contributions to a minimum degree acceptable for certain types of construction. Sprayed-on coatings or flexible wraps cover the plastic insulation to protect it from flame and reduce its flame spreading ability. However, since these coatings reduce the heat dissipation of the cables, often they must be rated for less current after application of fire-resistant coatings. This is called current capacity derating. It can be tested through the use of IEEE 848 Standard Procedure for the Determination of the Ampacity Derating of Fire-Protected Cables. See also Listing and approval use and compliance Passive fire protection Circuit integrity Fireproofing Cable tray Copper wire and cable References Power cables Passive fire protection Electrical wiring