Armoured Cables

Armoured Cables


Armored cables, as the name suggest are the type of cables covered with a lot of protection. These armored cables are covered with strong steel strands wrapped round the cable. They are usually used for transferring power either underground or overhead. Armored cables are mostly used for burial wiring because the ordinary mains cable may be damaged by the hit of a spade or other sharp tools.




Structure of Armoured Cable
The armoured cable is constructed of three layers of protection. The innermost core is generally multi strand and each one is individually sheathed from each other. There may be two, three, or four strands depending upon the application. Then an overall plastic sheath covers these individual strands altogether in a single unit. Further it is covered by a protective wire armour. Finally there is a outer sheath to hold it. The three core cable - live, neutral and earth - is mostly used in domestic installations while the four core cable is used when there is a three phase supply is in use.

Applications of Armored Cables
Armored cables are used for power networks, underground, outdoors, indoors and in cable ducting.


Armored cables are used particularly where fire, smoke emission and toxic fumes create a major threat.
Installation
Installation of armor cables shouldn't be done on your own level. It should always be done by professional electricians or contractors. Though it is not so much difficult to install armoured cables but due to the safety implications it isn't advised to do it on your own.

Steel Wired Armoured (SWA) cable
Armouring wires are designed for use in mains electricity supply. For underground installation, steel wired armoured cable is widely accepted as the standard one. It makes the underground and underwater wiring easy and safe. The chances of accidents or any harming situation is minimized because mechanical protection is provided with them for external or burial use.

Coaxial Cables

Coaxial Cables


Coaxial cables are a type of electrical cables, which consist of a round conducting wire that is surrounded by an insulating spacer, and which is again surrounded by a cylindrical conducting sheath. All these layers are surrounded by a final insulating layer. Coaxial cable is used as a high-frequency transmission line for carrying a high-frequency or broadband signal.




The coaxial cable was invented in the year 1929 and was first used commercially in the year 1941.

The coaxial cable is popularly called coaxial because it has one physical channel (the copper core), which carries the signal surrounded by another concentric physical channel (a metallic foil or braid), and an outer sheath or cover, all running along the same axis. The outer channel acts as a shield (or ground).

Coaxial cables are available as both rigid and flexible. Rigid coaxial cable has a solid sheath, while flexible coaxial cable has a braided sheath, usually of thin copper wire.



Coaxial Cable Variations
Triaxial cable or Triax is a form of coaxial cable that makes use of a single center conductor with two shields. This composition helps in a greater transmission distance with less loss due to interference from outside electrical signals. These special cables consist of three - conductor cables.


Twinaxial cable or Twinax is two coaxial systems packaged within a single cable.
Coaxial Cable and Triaxial Cable Dielectric Include:
Polyethylene
Fluorinated ethylene propylene
Foamed polyethylene
Foamed fluorinated ethylene propylene





Important Parameters of Coaxial Cables
Impedance: It is measured in ohms (O) and can becalculated from the ratio of the inner and outer diameters and the dielectric constant.


Capacitance: It is measured in farads per metre.


Resistance: It is measured in ohms per metre.


Attenuation or loss: It is measured in decibels per metre.


Outside diameter: It dictates which connector must be used for terminating the cable.



Cutoff frequency: It is the boundary at which energy entering the cable begins to be reflected instead of being transmitted.
Applications
Coaxial cables are used in diverse fields and applications. These include:
Short coaxial cables: Home video equipment, measurement electronics.

Long distance coaxial cable: Used for connecting radio networks and television networks.
Micro coaxial cables: Used in various consumers devices, military equipment, and in ultra-sound equipment.

Telephone Cables

Telephone Cables


Telephone cables are the backbone of any country's telecommunication structure. Without their help any organization is unable to work properly and efficiently. Usually a telephone cable is a multi conductor cable constituting of twisted pairs for the purpose of telephone audio use.

Telephone cables are available in different lengths and colors. Usually they have a PVC jacket to ensure a durable line cord that make possible their extensive use. Generally it is constructed from a copper wire with a high-micron, gold-and-nickel-plated termination. The specific properties of these materials ensure excellent sound and data transfer.





Telephone Cable Materials
The materials used for constructing the telephone cables should be such that the transmission of signals and data must be uniform and clear. Usually they are made of homogeneous mixtures of highly refined hydrocarbons. They are petrolatum based with added elastomer and polymers. Such materials are added to get their unique characteristics.


Telephone Cable Types
Cable provides the medium through which data and information is transferred from one network device to other in the form of analog signals. Different types of cables are required for varieties of applications. For the successful functioning of a network, it is necessary to understand the features of different types of cable.
Copper cable
Fiber optic cable
Pressurization of Telephone Cables
Moisture is the main threat to telephone cables (conductor pairs). Paper or pulp is used as insulation between the layer of individual conductor pairs made of copper. It provides magnificent insulation characteristics as long as it remain dry. For a long time pulp has been used for insulating the telephone cables. It had almost no competition from any other material. But in recent years plastic insulated conductor (PIC) cable has occupied its position strongly in the market and has acquired the top spot.

The telephone cables are under grounded almost 7 feet below the surface. If the cables are surrounded with water then for each foot of water level above the cable approximately 0.43 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) of pressure is applied. There will be a lot of water pressure bearing down on the cable. In case of any crack in the cable, water will pervade and will damage the conductor. The pressure within the cable should be in excess of the pressure that could be exerted by the water. To acquire this particular objective, telephone companies have declared a minimum air pressure standards for cables in different environments.

Telephone Cable Installation Tips
Never install the telephone cables in the holes containing high voltage wiring. It is a very common mistake. Doing this will result in bringing the telephone cables close and parallel to high voltage wiring. It will result in interference on the telephone wire. The electricity flowing through the high voltage wire can create electromagnetic field in the telephone cable and it can disturb the communication through the wire and might create noise. The telephone cables should be kept at least 16 to 24 inches away from high voltage wires. And it is possible to drill a separate hole for telephone cables.

Type and Size of Telephone Cables
The type and size of telephone cables should be appropriate according to the need. 22 or 24 gauge twisted pair solid conductor wire is generally preferred. 6 conductor wire should be used instead of 4 conductor so that 6 wires are grouped together inside the outer insulation

Control Cables

Control Cables



Control Cables is generally used in the electric utility, industrial and commercial market place. Copper Cable is used in control circuits, power circuits, in assembly lines, in production lines etc. It is used to transmit currents that directly cause operation of some machinery parts like relays, solenoids, motor starters, or circuit breakers. It is suitable for dry, moist and wet areas and also suitable for outdoor applications.

These control cables serve for long time and they offer the type of quality and reliability needed for consistency. Even in harshest environments they ensure top performance. They are available with multiple armoring and jacketing options which make them ideal for all industries.




Properties of Signal Control Cables

They are resistant to mineral oils and synthetic oils.
They are also resistant to refrigerants.
There is no effect of any type of radiation or gases on these cables. They are resistant to UV-radiation, ozone and oxygen.
They are highly abrasion resistance, notch resistant, tear and cut-resistant.
Applications of Control Cables
Control cables is used in a number of different industries. It is used for variety of functions and purposes. Some of the main industries where it is used:
Automation Industry
Wastewater Treatment
Tool Making Machinery
Conveyor Systems
Air Conditioning
Iron Industry
Steel Industry
Chemical Industry
Mining Industry
Cement Industry
Types of Control Cables:

Sheathed Control Cable
PVC Insulated Control Cable
Plastic Insulated Control Cable
Silicone Control Cable
Flame Resistant Control Cable
Signal Control Cable
Push Pull Control Cable
Signal Control Cable
Signal control cables are required for industrial instrumentation and control applications. These rugged, multi-conductor cables are specialized for industrial environments. They are used for a number of applications like connections of electronic devices. Also used for monitoring, electric, metering and automatic devices system.

The conductor used in these wires is made of copper or high strength copper alloys. These cables are insulated from certain materials which include Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyurethane, PVC, Nylon and FEP. The cable jacket is needed for prevention from chemical or abrasion resistance. The material used include Polyurethanes, PVC, ETFE and FEP as needed by the application.


Silicone Control Cable
Silicon control cables are high temperature multi-conductor cables. They are especially used at those places where high temperatures quickly cause other cables to deteriorate and fail. Generally they are halogen free and flame retardant. They are preferred where PVC insulated cables are more prone to damage due to more temperatures fluctuations.

Features of Silicone Control Cable
The material used to insulate these cables is mainly silicone rubber. It has several properties which help it to be used in extreme conditions.
It is resistant to animal fat and vegetable fat, different types of oil and diluted acids.
It is also resistant to ultra violet rays.
When it came in contact with different alcohols or alkaline solutions, no decomposition occurs at all.
It is flexible as well as cost effective.
It is also resistant to oxygen and ozone.
Even if by chance the cables burn a protective layer of silicone dioxide will remain on the conductor to prevent it from short circuiting.
Applications of Silicone Control Cables
Due to their excellent properties in extreme conditions and atmosphere they are used in a number of industries for varieties of purposes. Their uses include:

Foundries
Metallurgical Industries
Steel Mills
Glass Factories
Plastic Factories
Furnaces
Commercial Baking Equipment
Other High Temperature Operations.
Sheathed Control Cable
Sheathed control cables are used for a lot of applications and in numerous fields. They are specially used at those places where the damage to cables is likely to occur. The damage to the cables or wires may be due to fire, scratches, stretching, pressure, heat etc. These cables are covered with such a stiff material that they can withstand the outer effects for quite a sometime without the cables being damaged.

A sheathed control cables consists of four main layers. The innermost layer is the conductor itself. Surrounding it is a cable-guide duct of a material which has a low coefficient of friction. Then there is an armoring surrounding the cables-guide duct, and finally there is an outer sheath providing mechanical protection. A number of industries like automobile, machine tools, heavy electrical, and various other manufacturing industries use sheath cables.

Industrial cables

Industrial cables


Industrial cables are the type of cables which are used specially in different types of industries. They are designed in such a way that they are able to be used in extreme conditions or harsh temperature environments. These industrial cables are manufactured by using such materials which are capable of withstanding abrasion, heat, and direct flame contact.

Operating industrial machinery and maintaining it is not an easy job at all. The machinery which operate continuously at higher speeds without any stoppage require specific kind of industrial cables. Industrial cables need to perform under such uneven conditions. These cables should be ready to work in high and continuous flex applications. They should be capable to handle harsh environmental conditions and they have to be resistant against chemicals, flame, abrasion, oil, dirt, welding slag, paint, grease and extreme temperatures.






Industrial Cables Features
Industrial Cables are capable to sustain high voltages and temperatures. The constructions of cables are available to withstand:

Abrasion
Direct flame
Chemical reactions
High levels of gamma radiation.
Extended periods of high tempreature.

Different Types of Industrial Cables
Industrial power cables
Industrial control cables
Industrial flexible cables
Industrial armored cables
Industrial sheathed cable
Industrial coaxial cable


Applications in different industry
Industrial cables are used and applied in a number of fields and industries in different machineries and their components. Some of the main industries in which they are primarily used are heavy industry, light industry, entertainment industry, transport industry, service industry etc.
Heavy industry: This industry includes those which form the backbone of any countries production and economy. Foundries, oil refineries, power generations, mining operations, chemical plants, lumber mills are only few to name. Here are given some devices and processes in which the industrial cables are used. They are overhead cranes, large batch mixers, forging and bending operations, communication and monitoring devices, conveyor lines, and process controls.


Light industry: It includes mainly those industries which are responsible for production of small machineries or are involved in small scale processing like food processors, assembly plants, pharmaceutical manufacturers, machine shops, textile mills etc. In these industries they are used in different devices and processes like robotics, conveyors, communication and monitoring devices, process controls, product handling and inventory equipment.


Entertainment industry: Industrial cable is also largely used in entertainment industry in different ways like movie and theater sets, radio broadcasting, TV broadcasting, special effects, robotics, etc.


Transportation industry: Industrial cables are also used in transportation industry in ships, airplanes, trains and automobiles. They are used in airplane operations, communications and maintenance, train operations, communications and maintenance, auto, truck and bus operations and communications, cable lifts and elevators, monorails and subway systems.


Service industry: Industrial cables are also used in medical facilities, hotels and motels, restaurants, retail stores, police and fire departments, and sports venues. They are applied in police/fire fighters communications and protection, surveillance equipment, food processing elevators and dumb waiters, utility controls, sporting applications (ski lifts, timing devices, monitoring devices, etc.)

Industrial Network Cables
These are special type of cables used in different types of applications like automation, control and data acquisition. Bulk cables, cable assemblies, and patch cables or patch cords are the three basic types of network cables. Bulk cables are generally sold in reels or sometimes by the foot. Cable assemblies are group of cables or wires combined into a single frame such that at least one connector is provided at one of the ends. Patch cables or cords are flexible cables. They are provided a plug at both ends.

There are several product specifications for different types of industrial network cable. They include industry, technology, cable construction, connector configuration, and cable performance. They are designed for extreme environments and clean rooms.

fiber optic cable

fiber optic cable


A fiber optic cable is composed of one or more transparent fibers that are enclosed in protective coverings and strength members. There are different types of fiber optic cables available in the market including:
Simplex: These cables have a single optical fiber.
Duplex: These cables have two optical fibers.
Multifiber: These cables have several optical fibers.
Patch cord: These short length cables also have connectors.
Bare fiber: This is a fiber optic core with cladding only.
All of These cables can can have single mode or multimode fibers.





Important Considerations
Listed below are some of the important parameters that must be considered while purchasing fiber optic cable:
Fiber core size
Cable diameter
Cable weight
Specifications to be Considered
There are certain features and specifications that one must consider while purchasing fiber optic cables. These specifications are as follows:
Features of Optic Fiber Cables
Polarization maintaining
Graded index
Metallized
Performance specifications include:
Wavelength
Numerical aperture
Maximum attenuation
Bending radius


Buyers Guide
Fiber optic cable buyers must check the below mentioned information while buying these cables. The section also contains classification of fiber optic cables that are used in different areas.

Fiber optic cables are manufactured based on their end use. These cables have standard set of markings for indicating their primary use, the name of the manufacturer, a National Electrical Code Rating and a UL approval code. The information also contains the number of fibers contained within the cable, the outside diameter of the cable, and the manufacturer's product nomenclature. All the above points should be checked while purchasing cables.



Fiber Optic Cable Classification

Fiber Cable
Classification General Purpose
Inside Plant Used for device to device wiring.
Horizontal, or Intra-office Used for running on a single floor and between rooms.
Riser or intra-building Used for running between floors in a building, usually in an elevator shaft or conduit.
Plenum Used for meeting fire codes for cable run within an air space.
Inside-Outside Used for transition between outside plant and inside plant.



Manufacturers also provide a metallic armored sheath to the cable for providing added strength and protection against rodents.

Optical fiber cable manufacturers provide a standard color coding for ensuring effective management of cables because of the normally high strand counts contained within a cable. The manufacturers make use of 24 color combinations. Below is the optical fiber cable color identification chart for the use of buyers:


Types of Fiber Optic Cable

Loose Buffered Cable Tight Buffered Cable
Individual fibers can move freely within a buffer tube. Fibers are tightly bound into a bundle.
Large cable diameter for accommodating buffer tubes. Small cable diameter.
Fibers get protection from cable pulling forces. Used for running between floors in a building, usually in an elevator shaft or conduit.
Primarily used for outside plant. Primarily used for inside plant and distribution.


Optical Fiber Cable Color Identification Chart:

Buffer Tube / Fiber Strand Number Color
1 Blue
2 Orange
3 Green
4 Brown
5 Slate
6 White
7 Red
8 Black
9 Yellow
10 Violet
11 Rose
12 Aqua
13 Blue/Black Tracer
14 Orange/Black Tracer
15 Green/Black Tracer
16 Brown/Black Tracer
17 Slate/Black Tracer
18 White/Black Tracer
19 Red/Black Tracer
20 Black/Yellow Tracer
21 Yellow/Black Tracer
22 Violet/Black Tracer
23 Rose/Black Tracer
24 Aqua/Black Tracer

Electrical sockets

Electrical sockets


Electrical sockets are the small devices which are used to connect electric appliances to the commercial power supply so that current can flow into them and they can operate. Electrical sockets are paired with electrical plugs and combinedly both of them are responsible for the proper running of the domestic as well as the industrial electrical system.

Electrical sockets also called power sockets are female electrical connectors which have holes or slots inside them. Pins or blades of power plugs are inserted in those slots and then electricity is supplied to the appliances.

Electrical Socket


Holes Inside Electrical Sockets
Usually there are two or three slots or holes in electrical sockets. The two hole sockets are used for two pin plugs and three hole sockets for three pin plugs.

* Two hole sockets: These sockets carry two wires one of which is the live or hot wire carrying alternating current from main AC supply to the appliances. The other wire is the neutral wire which backs the current from the equipment to the mains supply.

* Three hole sockets: In these sockets the function of two wires (live and neutral) are same as in two hole sockets but the additional or the third one is earth or ground wire. In case any fault occurs in the system, the ground wire ensures that the exposed conductive surfaces should be at the same electrical potential equal to the earth. It minimizes the risk of electrical shock in case any person touches the device.

Electrical Socket Materials
Electrical sockets generally have either plastic or metal body.

* Plastic Body: Sockets with a plastic body usually have a separate ground wire to complete the lighting circuit.

* Metal Body: Sockets with a metal body often use the body of the socket itself as the ground connection.

Safety Issues Related to Installing Electrical Sockets
It looks simple to use electrical sockets but it can create potential danger to the users if the wires are not connected properly. Some of the main points to be taken care of are as follows:

* The Connection of live wire to the ground contact is very dangerous. The appliances conductive case is made live and it may cause death.

* If the appliance isn't earthed and a fault is occurred between the live wire and conductive case, then it becomes very dangerous.

* If the system has only a single pole switch and then live and neutral wires are swapped then it creates danger. It does not have any immediate danger but has the possibility of enhancing the risk of shock if anybody tries to work on the appliance without disconnecting it or if there is another fault.

Multi Standard Electrical Sockets
Multi standard sockets have many incompatible plug types. These type of plugs are mainly used in developing countries due to lack of electrical standards. They are able to accept both 120 V and 240 V plugs. Due to a significant difference in the input voltage, the devices are more prone to damage by the wrong voltage. They have one or more earth holes to allow the use of 3 pin plugs. While using such sockets, care should be taken to avoid the use of incompatible voltage and grounding connections.

Certain devices which are best fit for use in these sockets are:

* Those devices or appliances which are designed to auto-adapt to different voltage and frequency standards.

* Those appliances or devices which do not require a ground contact.