
APAR Shakti FR PVC
Shakti FR-PVC is what most people search for as FR wire, FR PVC wire, fire retardant wire or flame retardant house wire. FR stands for flame retardant: the PVC insulation is compounded so that it resists catching fire and does not keep burning once the source of the flame is removed. It is the entry grade of house wire made to IS 694.
Description
OverviewShakti FR-PVC is APAR's flame retardant house wire, the grade most electricians simply call FR wire. The PVC compound is mixed in-house so the insulation resists ignition and stops burning once the flame source is taken away. That is what keeps a fault in one room from travelling along the cable into the next. Single core, 1100 V, 0.75 to 16 sq mm, made to IS 694.
This is the everyday grade: lighting and socket circuits, motor and appliance connections, control panels, battery leads. The conductor is annealed electrolytic copper, drawn fine and stranded so the wire pulls through a conduit without fighting you. If the building has enclosed stairwells or basements where smoke would block an escape route, look at Shakti FR-LSH instead, which adds a low smoke and low halogen compound. For circuits that run warm all day, such as a geyser or an air conditioner, the heat resistant HR-FR grades are the better fit.
Why this wire
Key benefitsCharacteristics
At a glance| Application | Versatile low-voltage wiring for homes and commercial buildings, motors, appliances, control panels and battery circuits. |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | FR-PVC insulation; flame-retardant and self-extinguishing; melt-resistant with high dielectric strength. |
| Applicable standard | IS 694. |
| Product range | Single-core, 1100 V grade, 0.75 – 16 sq mm. |
| Advantages | 100% conductivity copper; energy-saving with low power loss; ~25-year service life; better flexibility. |
Construction
Cutaway- 1Flexible copper conductorFinely drawn annealed bare copper strands of electrolytic grade
- 2FR-PVC insulationTwin-Screw formulated; flame-retardant, melt-resistant, high dielectric strength
- 3Printed identification & ISI markingGrade, size, 1100 V, IS 694 and BIS licence number
Dimensions & ratings
Technical data| Size (sq mm) | Construction (No./mm) | Insulation (mm) | O.D. (mm) | Resistance (Ω/km) | In conduit (A) | Clipped (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.75 | 24/0.2 | 0.6 | 2.20 | 26 | 6 | 7 |
| 1 | 32/0.2 | 0.6 | 2.40 | 19.5 | 11 | 12 |
| 1.5 | 30/0.25 | 0.7 | 2.85 | 13.3 | 13 | 16 |
| 2.5 | 50/0.25 | 0.8 | 3.50 | 7.98 | 18 | 22 |
| 4 | 56/0.3 | 0.8 | 4.00 | 4.95 | 24 | 29 |
| 6 | 84/0.3 | 0.8 | 4.50 | 3.3 | 31 | 37 |
| 10 | 80/0.4 | 1.0 | 6.1 | 1.91 | — | 46 |
| 16 | 126/0.4 | 1.0 | 7.3 | 1.21 | — | 62 |
| Temperature index | Oxygen index | Smoke density | Acid gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≥ 250°C | ≥ 29% | ≤ 60% | ≤ 20% |
Standards & approvals
ComplianceManufactured and tested to IS 694:2010, the Indian Standard for PVC-insulated cables for working voltages up to and including 1100 V. Every drum is ISI-marked and BIS-certified.
Flame-retardant grade as defined in IS 694:2010.
The BIS licence number is printed along the wire, so an electrician or buyer can verify a genuine product at the point of sale.
Applications
Where it's usedUse the APAR Wire-Size Calculator to size a circuit in seconds.
Documents
DownloadsFAQs
Good to knowWhat does FR PVC mean?+
FR PVC is Flame-Retardant PVC. Its high oxygen and temperature index makes the insulation self-extinguishing, so the wire does not sustain a flame once the ignition source is removed.
What is it used for?+
Versatile low-voltage wiring — electrical appliances, motors, control panels, DC power transformers, electrical boards and battery cable systems in homes and commercial spaces.
What is the service life?+
Over 25 years under normal operating conditions, thanks to its durable FR PVC insulation and high-purity copper conductor.
Which standard does it meet?+
It complies with IS 694 for PVC-insulated unsheathed and sheathed cables.
What does FR mean on a wire?+
FR stands for flame retardant. The PVC insulation is formulated to resist ignition and to self-extinguish once the flame source is removed. It is the baseline safety grade for house wire under IS 694. FR does not mean the wire is fireproof; it means it will not help a fire spread along the cable.
What is the difference between FR and FRLS wire?+
Both are flame retardant. FRLS (also written FR-LSH) additionally uses a low-smoke, low-halogen compound, so if it does burn it gives off far less dense smoke and less acid gas. For stairwells, lifts, basements and anywhere people may need to find an exit through smoke, FRLS is the better choice. See the Shakti FR-LSH page.
Is FR PVC wire good enough for a normal home?+
For ordinary lighting and socket circuits in a ventilated house, an ISI-marked FR PVC wire of the right size is the standard choice across India. If the building has enclosed escape routes, or you want lower smoke in a fire, step up to FR-LSH. If you want heat resistance for kitchens, geysers or AC runs, look at HR-FR.
Sizing or selecting a cable? Browse our guides & charts →
Request information
Get a quoteRequest a quote
Tell us your requirement — our team will get back to you.
Enquire for pricing, request the datasheet, or find your nearest authorised dealer.
