Every genuine house wire prints key information along its sheath. A typical line reads:
APAR ANUSHAKTI HR-FR-LSH 2.5 SQ.MM 1100V IS 694 ISI CM/L-XXXXXXX
What each part means
| On the wire | Meaning |
|---|---|
| APAR Anushakti | Brand / sub-brand |
| HR-FR-LSH | Grade / fire-safety type (see glossary below) |
| 2.5 SQ.MM | Conductor cross-section (size) |
| 1100V | Voltage grade (working voltage up to 1100 V) |
| IS 694 | Indian Standard the wire is made and tested to |
| ISI · CM/L-XXXXXXX | BIS certification mark and licence number |
Grade glossary
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| FR | Flame Retardant – resists the spread of flame. |
| FRLS | Flame Retardant Low Smoke – FR plus reduced smoke and acid-gas emission. |
| HR-FR-LSH | Heat-Resistant, Flame-Retardant, Low-Smoke Halogen – higher temperature rating with low smoke and halogen. |
| HFFR / EBXL | Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant, electron-beam cross-linked (APAR Fire Protekt) – zero halogen, very low smoke, high temperature endurance. |
Why it matters: the ISI mark with a CM/L licence number is your proof the wire is BIS-certified to the stated IS. No ISI mark, or a missing licence number, is a red flag for counterfeit or sub-standard wire.
Exact grade names, voltage grade and standard numbers vary by product – check the specific APAR datasheet for the wire you are buying.