In This Issue...

Learn more about variable frequency drives (VFD), installing continuous flex cables into a C-track, enter to win an iPod Mini ....and more!

Variable Frequency Drives

Many electric motor-driven devices operate at full speed even when the loads they are serving are less than their capacity. To match the output of the device to the load, some sort of partial load control is in use for the majority of their life. Examples include pumps, fans, conveyors, injection molding machines, air compressors and chillers.

Many partial load control strategies waste energy. The most efficient method of partial load control, resulting in minimal wasted energy, is the variable frequency drive (VFD). (read more...)

See the VFD Cable Selection Guide on our website or in our catalog under Flexible Specialty Cables or contact your SAB representative.

We've moved! Our new building at 23 Madison Road in Fairfield, NJ will more than double our capacity for stock as well as significant improvements to satisfy our continuous growing customer base.

Q&A

Q. Are there recommended guideline for installing continuous flex cables into a C-track?
A. The laying of cables in cable track has to be done carefully. In general the following points have to be considered:

1. It is recommended to lay the cables separately side by side. In the case that cables with different diameters are laid on top of each other or side by side, we recommend the use of separators.

2. Cables with an outer diameter < 0.394 inches (10 mm) which cannot be installed with separators, should be loosely placed in a guide hose in the cable track. The section of the hose has to be considerably bigger than the sum of all cable sections.

3. The cables should be movable in the separator. There must be 10% free space between the cable diameters and the internal dimensions of the cable track for safety reasons.

4. Please observe that the cables do not exceed the bend radius without being forced. In case of several cable layers, the cables need a corresponding clearance among each other in the bend.

5. A torsion-free laying of the cables in the cable track has to be observed (non-rotational). Therefore, the cables have to be unwound from reels before being installed. (Do not lift off the cables in loops).

6. The weight arrangement in the cable track or in the links has to be done symmetrically. Heavy cables have to be laid towards the outside of the cable track and the smaller ones in the middle.

7. All cables have to be strain-relieved at the fixed point and at the driving feature. It has to be observed that there is only large-surface pressure on the outer jacket. Careful clamping avoids any squeezing of the conductors and at the same any displacement of the cable.

8. In general only cables rated for continuous flex should be used in C-track applications and the allowed stated bending radius of SAB cables has to be strictly observed.

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