• • • CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT • • •
ENSURING CABLE SAFETY AND QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN
quality product is produced. The quality of a cable product must also be maintained during the delivery and installation processes; which essentially relies on effective partnerships, careful management, understanding of best practice and strong quality control measures throughout the supply chain. The responsibility of maintaining the levels of cable quality from the moment it leaves the factory ultimately falls to those distributing and installing it. It is vital to meet the required levels of quality and
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safety throughout the whole process, from design, manufacture, production, delivery, handling, site- storage and installation, to ensure that the end user of a cable product will be able to live and work within a safe environment. Installing quality cable products that have been properly managed throughout the supply chain processes reduces the chances of future repair work being required or having to undergo replacements. This in turn means less downtime due to factors such system failure, a reduction in overall maintenance costs and out of pocket running costs still incurred if power or plan is required to go offline.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
A good cable is designed and manufactured to exacting specifications and performance standards. Independent third-party product approval and certification, by organisations such as the British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), acts to add value to verify compliance. There are, however, many potential risks impacting the product as it is passed through the supply chain which should be considered to ensure great cables are installed into an end application As cable quality is a partnership and requires a
esigning and manufacturing a cable product to meet the standard’s requirements is important to ensuring a
shared understanding between specifiers, manufacturers, distributors and installers, each party has a key role to play in delivering a product that is fit for purpose to the end user. This article highlights the importance of ensuring quality is top of mind and a responsibility of all stakeholders, which is essential to making cables great.
SPECIFICATION
An important part of the project is specification and the decisions made by the specifier are crucial, as this has an impact on the design and performance of the cable product once in operation. Specifiers will design end applications and will
need a cable to be compatible with the output or performance needs, so keeping safety in mind at all times is vital. As part of the cable design specification, considerations are also made for the size and construction of the cable, as well as factors such as metallic screen CSA, armour type, outer sheath type, UV resistance, oil or hydrocarbons resistance, and fire-safety performance, which may be required to match the application operating conditions or as additional protective measures.
There are several aspects that could prove to be a risk following installation if non-compliant cable is used. Examples of these include the increased risk of fire and mechanical and electrical risks. These could result in sparking and short circuits, as well as other problems resulting if the materials used in the cable sheath deteriorates or cracks as a direct output of the conditions within which the cable needs to function. There are also many potential cost risks associated with not specifying cable that has been third party approved, for instance complete cable replacement may be required which is both expensive and time consuming.
MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing is implemented after cable design specification. Once the required performance in terms of quality and safety has been outlined and understood, cable manufacturers will work to produce the cable. The design stage is especially important for
producing a quality cable product, as it also provides the blueprint guide for the on-going manufacture of that specific cable. Material types and quantities are selected at this stage, which will have a direct impact on the quality and
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2020 13
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