What is the powder inside wire insulation?

I don't know whether it's a fire retardant or not but it's primary job is to stop the plastic cores from sticking together.
The plastic will burn like s--t all day long hence electric fires, I once saw a fire in a underground cable tunnel in the steel works and the only thing that put it out was foam so powders didn't do much that day.

Originally Posted by Jules

I don't know whether it's a fire retardant or not but it's primary job is to stop the plastic cores from sticking together.
The plastic will burn like s--t all day long hence electric fires, I once saw a fire in a underground cable tunnel in the steel works and the only thing that put it out was foam so powders didn't do much that day.

I'd say not. It was explained to me that the powder is the same type used by airports to put out fires and has a low working temp so it wouldn't stop a high heat fire. I use to find the powder in older high voltage extension cables but I guess it can be found in any length of cord.