Cables that Meet the Critical Shipboard Cable Installation Requirements

Installation of cables on ships demand for special needs to promote the safety of people, ensure greater performance, and save the space of cargo and passengers. Shipboard cables have been designed to ensure advanced cabling with proven fire- performance characteristics. And while many cable manufacturers have made strides in engineering their cable manufacturing process, some may not be up to par with the standards and ratings defined by the industry. A wide range of shipboard cables are available that endure the tough marine environment. Here are some of the shipboard cables that meet the critical installation requirements:

Instrumentation and control cables 
With instrumentation cables, they need to have collectively or individually twisted pairs to allow efficient transfer impedance as well as electromagnetic compatibility.  Both control and instrumentation cables ensure secure functioning of the various trim, navigational, ballast, and control systems in all-weather as well as sea conditions. The shipboard control cables may be armored or unarmored with proper marking for easier, faster installation. Again, the control cables may have reduced volume to save space and this is defined by the cross-sectional area.

A cable like Seacoast 18 AWG 7 Triads Type LS3SF 600 Volts Shielded Cable Non-Watertight Non-Flexing Service MIL-C-24643/44 has an insulation material made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and a jacketing designed of low-smoke, zero-halogen cross-linked polyolefin to ensure greater performance and protection against the harsh marine conditions. The low smoke, zero halogen feature of the jacketing materials ensure safety of the equipment, crew, and passengers in times of fire emergency.

Telephone, coaxial, and data cables 
In shipboard operations, data and communication services should be maintained at optimal level. The telephone, coaxial, and data cables should ensure there is constant flow of information including the telephone services, signaling, indicator systems, and alarm systems. The telephone cables may need to be compact and lightweight for optimal space gain. Data cables need to allow high speed transmissions with optimal reliability of the shipboard LANs.

Regardless of the kind of ship, you need to ensure that all the systems are functioning in times of crisis to ensure communication, navigation, emergency operations, and pumping. If there is open fire, the vital systems should be able to survive the intense heat at least for a given time. On top of that, the cables should have reduced gases, heavy smoke, and fumes to protect the passengers, the crew, and the equipment.

Shipboard power cables 
These cables may be designed to ensure greater performance with their low weight and wide diameter. They can be armored or unarmored depending on the level of cable protection that is needed.

If you are in the market to purchase a shipboard cable, you should know what features to look out for. Of more importance is that, these cables should assure safety and designed to counter fire and other emergency situations. You want to have cables that can survive even when there is scorching heat in the ship to allow the crew and passengers to be able to navigate and respond to the emergency situation.