BY :TME
Cabling adapted for use in cable carriers.
In an industrial environment, cables must fulfill far more functions than just transmitting electrical power or signals. They should maintain full reliability even under heavy mechanical loads, in harsh working conditions, and during intensive use.
HELU cables designed for cable carriers (drag chain) are specifically engineered for dynamic applications. They perform well in both fast-operating machine tools with limited installation space and in port installations where long travel distances are required. Each of these applications demands appropriately selected materials, construction, and technical parameters. Below we present an overview of such HELU products – adapted to diverse and most demanding applications in industry and automation.
In this article, we cover topics such as:
- Ethernet infrastructure in mobile installations
- Control cables for robotics
- Hybrid cabling, i.e., control and power
- Advantages of polyurethane insulation
- Requirements for drive power cables
- Signal conduction in dynamic systems
HELUKAT® Network Cables
HELUKAT® cables are advanced cabling for Ethernet applications, also ideal for industrial automation systems. HELU offers cables adapted to work in drag chains and in challenging environmental conditions. The products meet the PROFINET standard requirements and offer high transmission parameters – from category 5e to 7e.
The cable construction is standardized, so RJ45 connectors are mounted at the ends using a standard crimping tool. The outer jackets are made of flame-resistant PVC or material with FRNC properties.
MULTIFLEX 512® Series
MULTIFLEX 512® cables are designed for use in drag chains. They come in unshielded and double-shielded versions, using braided copper wires. Their main purpose is signal transmission in static and dynamic installations. The latter includes machines, machine tools, robots, etc. The flexible control cables MULTIFLEX 512® have sliding properties and provide optimal operational durability, thanks to the use of PP core insulation and an outer PUR sheath, free from adhesive substances and resistant to cuts.
MULTIFLEX 512® cables have 2 to 36 cores (numerically marked) with cross-sections from 0.75mm2 to 2.5mm2. The rated voltage is 300/500V. Regardless of the version, the cores are made in a stranded format, providing the cables with the highest possible flexibility.
Hybrid Solutions TOPSERV® and TOPGEBER
“Hybrid” cables are those that simultaneously serve for power supply and signal transmission. Such demand most often occurs when controlling servomechanisms, which is why many hybrid solutions from HELU belong to the TOPSERV® series. They are adapted for use in advanced production processes, robotics, tool industry, etc. The cable may have, for example, an additional overall shield and is most often made in compliance with various standards (VDE, UL, and CSA).
The cable specifications match the parameters provided by leading servo drive manufacturers, so that the cables can be used without obstacles in the machine industry, construction and installation of production robots, in automation, and in other applications within production engineering. All the hybrid cables described here are also adapted for laying in cable chains.
PURö Cables
HELU brand cables from the PURö series are solutions designed for work in demanding industrial conditions, where mechanical and chemical resistance is crucial. Their key construction aspect is the polyurethane (PUR) sheath, which provides high resistance to abrasion, oils, greases, UV radiation, atmospheric factors, as well as coolants, ozone, etc. Due to their high flexibility, these cables perform well in moving applications, such as cable carriers, robots, or CNC machines. Typical operating temperature ranges and bending resistance make them a more durable alternative to classic PVC cables, especially in applications where significant mechanical loads occur.
The cables are resistant to temperatures ranging from -40°C to 80°C. Their rated voltage is 300/500V. A single cable can contain up to 50 cores with a cross-section of 1.5mm2 while maintaining class 5 flexibility, i.e., relatively high flexibility, although their diameter in such cases reaches 24.2mm. Selected products from various PURö series meet the Eca CPR standard requirements.
TOPFLEX®611 Series
The TOPFLEX® series includes power cables mainly intended for use in regulated drives, especially with inverters. Their polyurethane insulation provides high resistance, similar to the PURö solutions described above. The products are adapted for installation in dynamic systems, characterized by good flexibility and durability even with frequent bending.
The products are available in two variants: shielded and unshielded. Both versions are used, among others, in industrial automation, production lines, and drive systems.
SUPERTRONIC® Series
Cables from the SUPERTRONIC® 310-PVC and SUPERTRONIC®-PVC series offered by HELU are flexible control and signal cables intended for use in industrial automation and electronics. Variants marked with the letter “C”, such as SUPERTRONIC® 310-C-PVC and SUPERTRONIC®-C-PVC, have a copper shield. Differences between the “310” variants and the standard SUPERTRONIC® series result from construction and purpose, with the 310 models being more suited for precise signal applications and data transmission.
SUPERTRONIC® cables support rated voltages up to 1500V (selected versions). They have 2…25 cores with a cross-section of 0.14mm2, 25mm2 or 34mm2 – always made in a stranded format, to ensure high flexibility. Individual cores are color-coded. The PVC insulation ensures that the products have good resistance to oils and work in dynamic installations.
Text prepared by Transfer Multisort Elektronik Sp. z o.o.
