LSF sheathed cables

Hello Sanjay,

Without giving away any company secrets, can you tell us what kind of jacketing material (Not the compound manufacturer and designation) you are using now? Likewise can you tell us something about the wire armour underneath the jacket? (Steel or aluminum, helically applied with no crossovers at all?) If there are crossovers, does the jacket splitting start there?

Is the jacket compound you are using now temperature rated for the thickness and pulling normal forces you are placing on it? What is the thickness that you are using?

Have you simulated the problem in the laboratory so you are confident that it is not your jacketing process?

Have you already discussed this with your jacketing compound manufacturer and, if so, what was their reply?

What prompted you to consider a cushion layer tape over the armour?

Kindest regards,
Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com

I agree. When I said LSF, I meant LSZH cables. I look forward to your recommendations on the best LSZH compound manufacturer & grade and on the application of tape over armour wires to reduce splitting of sheath in hot weather.

Regards,
Sanjay

Please note that:

LSF (Low Smoke and Fume) cable is a UK designation (Low smoke and fume) and is usually to Ministry of Defence Standard DEF61-12 Part 5 LSF.

The materials used are normally sheathing compounds over XLPE or LSF insulations and they have reduced smoke and corrosive gas emissions in a fire when compared with standard pvc insulations.

As we understand it, LSF cable (Low Smoke & Fume) can be manufactured from modified PVC giving off anything up to 18% HCl emissions.

Cables giving off below 0.5% of HCl are classed as Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF), Low Smoke Zero halogen (LSZH) and could also be defined as LSF cable.

Peter J. Stewart-Hay
Principal
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.Stewart-Hay.com

Hello Sanjay
I appears to be a heat related problem under sun,during laying or unrolling of drums at site.
Normally this is observed with bigger diameter cables above 25 mm and with round armoured cables during summer season laying of cables.
I think wrapping of tape over armour may be a solution.
Best Regds
Anil