3 Features that Characterize Industrial High Temperature Cables
Cables designed for electrical wiring projects come in different sizes, standards, ratings, and design. If you are in the market seeking for cables to use in your industrial high temperature environment, you don’t want to get it wrong. Often, when you use inappropriate cables, it will cost you more in the long run. The cables may wear out fast meaning you will need to replace them. Also, because these cables are used for electrical wiring, malfunctions or short-circuiting could spell disaster. You may encounter huge downtimes and losses in your industrial processes if the wirings are failing. It is therefore imperative to understand the features that define industrial high temperature cables. Here are top three features that characterize these kinds of cables:
Thermal performance
The high temperature cables for use in industrial environments are designed to ensure greater thermal performance. They can work well even in high temperatures or exposure to flame. The rating of the wires can go up to 250 degrees Celsius or more depending on the coating that has been applied on the wire and the insulation. Tin coating allows the industrial high temperature wires like Radix Wire SAB-K and SAB-S High Temperature Cable 200C/600V to be used in applications where temperatures can go up to 200 degrees Celsius. This wire is used in glass and steel manufacturing facilities and in power generation plants. Its extruded silicone rubber insulation and aramid K-fiber jacketing ensure the wire withstands heat and abrasion.
Greater resistance to damaging elements
Industrial environments tend to be characterized by cable damaging elements including fluids, spills, chemicals, ozone, as well abrasion. To ensure the high temperature cables are protected against these elements, they are insulated with materials such as PFA, extruded fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), reinforced mica tape, or extruded silicone rubber.
Wires like the Radix Wire MCS Furnace High Temperature Lead Wire 700C/600V to 1000C/300V have special insulation made of reinforced mica tape because they are intended for use in demanding environments with extreme temperatures. They can be installed in operations with temperatures reaching up to 1000 degrees Celsius or even more for temporary high extreme temperature exposure. That’s why this kind of wire is used to wire kilns, furnaces, and ovens.
Cut-through resistance
Again, industrial environments can be subject to activities or things that could cut the insulation. To ensure the insulation is not cut through easily, the cables are properly jacketed using materials such as aramid K-fiber. This allows great performance even in locations where the insulation could suffer a risk of being cut thus exposing the wire.
If you are in the market to buy a high temperature cable for use in industrial locations, you want to examine whether it has these features. The insulation used to protect the wire or the jacketing can help determine how the wire is going to perform in such conditions where things like abrasion, mechanical abuse, heat, flame, and chemicals may present risks of damage to the wire.