There are so many things that might be boring to you of which discussing power cables might be one but the facts unleashed in this post might just open your eyes. From the first ‘wire’ made in 1882 by Thomas Edison (typically copper tubes wrapped in jute and filled with asphalt for insulation) to the introduction of rubber insulations used in the Niagara Falls Power Project in 1897, the development of wires and cables has been interesting. However, this write up is to show you five facts about power cables you might not have known.
Firstly, the misconception that copper is always a better conductor than aluminium is not true. The conductivity of cable wires is not merely a function of the measure of resistivity but rather a unique combination of the size of the cables and the insulation material that is used. In some use cases, the material and size of the cable required is such that copper would prove less efficient and too expensive. In such cases, like transmitting super-high voltages over long distances, aluminium would prove more economical and more efficient than copper.
Secondly, cable armour is often thought to protect the cable from external physical impact. That is not the case at all. Actually, there is a huge chance that a physical impact on the cable may cause a damage which would be aggravated by the armour. This is largely because the armour is made of steel tapes or gauges which is meant to increase the cable’s tensile measure and not to protect the cable from physical impact.
Thirdly, still on the cable armour, the misconception that a cable is protected from moisture simply because it is armoured can’t be further from the truth. The armour doesn’t protect the cable from water. In fact, exposing the cable to water will damage the armour which then causes the actual cable to be exposed over time.
Fourthly, many people believe that simply because a cable is new it should last long but that is not always true. One reason is that since there are many manufacturers of electric cables, it is highly unlikely that all the power cables that you install will last for a specific period of time. To solve this problem, buy Dante Wires and Cables. Another reason is that there are different types of cables marked by different capacities, durability, usage and other industry-specific characteristics. Moreover, beside all these, the extent to which a cable lasts is heavily dependent on how well the installation is done. A shabby installation will wear the cables down quickly, that is if the entire project doesn’t come crashing down before it happens.
Lastly, the current capacity of a cable isn’t constant!! Yes, let that sink in! No matter the promise made by the brand, the current capacity of a cable still depends on factors like: where the installation is being done, temperature, pressure, and also the depth of the pavement in which it is placed.
Did you know these before now? Apart from these facts, there are so many more facts about wires and cables that you may be surprised to know! The facts mentioned above might be associated with some serious safety risks. Therefore, always get certified engineers to evaluate regulations and compliances before undertaking any electrical projects at home or the office.
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