Basic installation of wire & cable can have a major impact on how long the cables will last. If you are installing cables on a welding robot, in a tray or cable reel, following some basic guidelines will always help.
1) Allow the cable to hang freely for 24 hours is possible, this will allow any tension in the cable to be released. Tension is imparted to the cable by pulling on the jacket. Typically, when cables are spooled onto a cable reel there will be some type of pulling which can cause this tension.
2) Do not exceed the cables rated pull tension. This type of information will vary from cable to cable, if you don't know the cables rated pull tension you should consult with your cable supplier. Exceeding this rating is one of the fastest ways to "kill" a cable. The conductors will get pulled out of their lay and begin to sprial or "corkscrew". This is the first sign of a problem.
3) Do not exceed the cables bend radius. This is typically determined by multiplying the outside diameter of the cable by a factor to determine the minmum bend radius. Static cables which will not be flexed once installed can usually have a minimum bend radius of around 5 times the overall OD of the cable. Cables which will be flexed when installed have a bend radius of anywhere from 6-10 times the outside diameter. Again, if you aren't sure you should consult your cable supplier.
4) Use a mesh strain relief at both ends of the cable if possible. This will help spread the load of the jacket of the cable and prevent jacket stretch and pressure on the conductor bundle.
Each application will be slightly different but these basics will be a good start to improving the live of your electrical wire. For more information you can go to http://www.tpcwire.com.
| Cable Guide.pdf |
