• • • CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT • • •


Flexicon’s cable protection system keeps London Underground trains clean as a whistle


Flexicon, part of Atkore, has supplied a robust and easy-to-install cable protection system for Transport for London’s (TfL) London Underground train washing plant at the Northumberland Park depot, said Rod Tay, Flexicon’s regional sales manager


W


e supplied our unique Connectabox IP68/IP69, non-metallic circular connection box accessories and fittings,


alongside extra-heavy weight, non-metallic FPAH conduit and FPAU Ultra fittings. TfL’s Victoria Line Underground trains are


cleaned thoroughly at the end of each shift at the maintenance depot, with the exterior being cleaned using a purpose-built train wash. The existing plant at the Northumberland Park depot was built in 1995 and required refurbishment and upgrade to meet the cleaning regimes of up to 47 eight-car trains. Within the train wash facility, lighting fixtures,


panels and sensors are exposed constantly to moisture and cleaning chemicals. Key criteria for the cable protection system were that it could withstand the harsh operating environment and meet high levels of ingress protection and corrosion resistance, while offering fire resistance performance. The flexible conduit system selected


incorporates the Flexicon Connectabox, a weatherproof, IP68/IP69, non-metallic, circular


connection box. It simplifies cable management and save time in the interconnection of circuits and wiring assemblies. Flexicon’s Connectabox was designed to protect


safety and performance-critical cabling. The 110mm, round junction box makes installation simpler and faster, with up to seven connection points, four predefined entry points and quick connect outlets, rugged mounting tabs and a lid locking mechanism. This offers significant time savings compared to


a conventional installation and the peace of mind that the critical circuits are protected by a robust, shock & vibration proof system. Unlike standard enclosures, which utilise


knockouts or require drilling, Flexicon’s Connectabox features four easy-to-connect entry points as standard. These provide quick access and termination and were used in conjunction with Flexicon Ultra (FPAU) push fit connectors. Additionally, the entry points can be blanked off


with the supplied blanking plugs in any orientation, as required by the installer, providing flexibility if new circuits need to be added in the future.


During the installation, the engineers achieved


significant time savings thanks to the intelligent push, twist and lock connector system with integral seals. A reliable connection took just seconds, without having to remove knockouts, drill holes, fit locknuts or even torque tighten any components. This connection method also maximises wiring


space within the enclosure as there is no protrusion of any threads or requirements for locknuts to secure. The Flexicon system specified incorporates


numerous features that have been independently- tested to meet stringent rail-industry demands, including high ingress protection (IP) ratings, resistance to corrosion and low fire hazard performance. For example, the FPAU Ultra conduit fittings


selected offer low fire hazard performance in accordance with EN 45545-2 rating – a standard used throughout the rail industry – and are halogen, sulphur and phosphorus free. Purpose designed to withstand extremes of temperature and vibration, this provides a secure and effective barrier system against fire, smoke and gas. Flexicon Ultra fittings are designed for high


durability to suit the rigours of the rail environment. The tamper-proof construction is ideal for the externally located train wash bay, offering long-life performance to protect the vulnerable cabling. The selection of Flexicon FPAH non-metallic,


corrugated flexible conduit provides the high- compression strength required for the rigours of the train wash environment. With an IP rating of IP66, IP67, IP68 (2 Bar for two hours) & IP69, when used with Flexicon Ultra™ the conduit recovers if crushed to maintain complete cable protection and is self-extinguishing to minimise the spread of fire to ensure high levels of safety.


18 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2022 electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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