IAC TotalArmor®

Low Voltage Armored Cables: Protection and Durability in Installations

What are low-voltage armored cables? Low-voltage armored cables are electrical conductors with an additional layer of metallic protection, making them especially resistant to mechanical damage, abrasion, and adverse environmental conditions. This metallic armor can be made of various materials and configurations, providing different levels of protection depending on the application.

The importance of armored in cables: armor performs several crucial functions in cables:

Mechanical resistance: Protects the internal conductor from impacts, tension, and torsion.
Protection against moisture: Prevents the penetration of water and other liquids, ensuring reliable operation in humid environments.
Abrasion resistance: Prevents cable wear from rubbing against rough surfaces.
Protection against rodents: Prevent animals like rats and mice from gnawing on the cable.

Applications of Armored Cables: armored cables find application in a wide variety of sectors:

Industrial: Powering machinery, lighting, process control.
Construction: Electrical installations in construction sites, tunnels, and bridges.
Energy: Distribution networks, substations, wind farms.
Rail: Electrification of railway lines, signaling.
Maritime: Installations on ships, and offshore platforms.
Mining: Powering equipment in underground mines.

The TotalArmor® range from IAC:

Customized Solutions: IAC, through its TotalArmor® range, offers a wide variety of low-voltage armored cables, designed to meet the most demanding needs of various industrial sectors. In addition to the different armors and combinations between them, TotalArmor® also offers additional properties according to the demand of each project, such as resistance to hydrocarbons, oils, ozone, tropicalized environments, submersible, etc.

Types of armor in the TotalArmor® range

SWA steel wire armor and AWA aluminum wire armor: Offer excellent tensile and flexural strength, ideal for outdoor applications and in environments where high mechanical protection is required.
SBA galvanized steel strip armor and ABA aluminum strip armor: Provides uniform and corrosion-resistant protection, being a popular option for underground installations and in aggressive environments.
Combination of wire armor and strip: Offers a combination of strength and flexibility, adapting to various installation conditions.
Steel wire braid armor: Provides greater flexibility and lower weight than crowns or strips, making installation easier and reducing cable costs.
Corrugated steel tape: Provides additional protection against abrasion and moisture, along with better cable handling during installation.

Why choose armored cables in industrial applications?

Resistance to impacts and abrasion: Armored cables can withstand extreme mechanical conditions without damage.
Corrosion resistance: Cables with galvanized steel or aluminum armor offer excellent corrosion protection, which is essential in humid and aggressive environments.
Flexibility: Armored cables can be installed in confined spaces and follow sharp bends.
Durability: Armored cables have a long service life, reducing maintenance costs.
Safety: Armored cables help ensure the safety of people and facilities by protecting against short circuits and electric shocks.

Specific Applications of Armored Cables in Industry: SWA, SBA, and ABA armored cables find a wide range of applications in industries where working conditions are demanding and require superior mechanical protection. These are some specific examples:

Mining Industry:
- Tunnels and galleries: SWA and SBA cables are ideal for powering equipment in underground tunnels and galleries due to their resistance to impacts, abrasion, and moisture. Additionally, their flexibility allows them to be installed in confined spaces.
- Open-pit mining: SWA cables are used in mobile equipment such as excavators and mining trucks, where they are exposed to adverse weather conditions and strong vibrations.
Petrochemical and Oil & Gas Industry:
- Process plants: SBA cables are widely used in process plants due to their corrosion resistance and resistance to chemicals. They are used in classified areas and in areas with explosion risk.
- Pipelines: SWA cables are used for instrumentation and control of these systems, as they must withstand extreme environmental conditions and potential mechanical damage during installation and maintenance.
- Offshore platforms: SWA and SBA cables are essential on oil and gas platforms, where they are exposed to marine corrosion, high temperatures, and vibrations.
Chemical Industry:
- Chemical plants: SBA cables are ideal for corrosive environments, such as in the manufacture of acids and alkalis.
Pharmaceutical Industry:
- Pharmaceutical plants: ABA cables are used in clean and sterile areas, where a non-ferrous material is required to avoid contaminating products.
Other Industries:
- Food industry: ABA cables are used in areas where food is handled, as they do not generate metal particles that could contaminate products.
- Automotive industry: SWA and SBA cables are used on production lines and in test benches, where they are exposed to high temperatures and vibrations. In summary, SWA, SBA, and ABA armored cables are essential in industries where safety, reliability, and durability are critical factors. Their ability to withstand adverse conditions and their versatility make them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.