Factors Advance the Use of Cables in Automation
Published on : Wednesday 17-06-2020
There is a wide increase in the development of the 4th Industrial revolution in the global manufacturing sector, as the change in trend from empowering the workforce to automation in the manufacturing plant operations. The adoption of machinery is the key factor to identify the accuracy and product quality of the company in the market.
Considering, the wide shift in adoption from traditional-based methods to carry out maintenance and product operation to industrial automation has further created the opportunities for advance the use of cables in automation to meet the need for proper connectivity and error-free data transmission.
The adoption and end-use integration of the cable system are depending on its application and placement. The following factors are primarily focused while evaluating the use of cables in automation –
Cable installation
In the manufacturing plant, cables are used for outdoor and indoor installations based on the placement of industrial machines. Moreover, the local climatic conditions play an important role in the entire system works. The installation of a cable system must be ensured by the workplace personnel to effectively execute the operation.
Cable construction
While selecting cables for your industrial automation, it is important to check its feasibility as per your cabling arrangement, conductors and insulation capability, and finishing with the covering. Such factors are important to ensure the safety of manpower and machinery in the workspace.
Cable operations
It is important for the cables to withstand all forms of conditions during automation functioning in the workspace. Such conditions include temperature and power. It is necessary to meet the variation in supply-demand of temperature and power across the production area.
Cable size
The size of the cables is depending on the size of the operational zone and demand from the specific operation. The perfect cable size can result in better current carrying capacity, voltage regulation, and short circuit rating. The current carrying capacity is based on thermal heating, the shorter the cable, the quicker it gets heated up, making the complete system being more vulnerable to the threat of being damaged.
Shielding
Shielding in a cable is the key aspect during the evaluation of its qualities and further its capability to handle the intense electric filed and distribution of power. If such is the condition, in the case of high and medium voltage, it gives rise to ionization of air particles thus, damaging the insulating cover of the cable, leading to ozone generation.