Nearly every business today relies on the use of cables in some way for its operation. Whether it be for connectivity within an office or making different parts of machines and robots work together in a warehouse, or even for the smooth running of essential utilities like trains.
Protecting these cables can seem like a low priority when you have to juggle various business processes such as customer relations, sales, hiring and financial accounting. But ignoring this cable protection can be detrimental to your business in various ways – productivity losses, health and safety accidents and financial and reputational damages. Adequate protection on the other hand can keep your machines and systems running smoothly, your employees safe and help you drive profits. Let’s examine why cable protection is critical for your project success.
Cable protection lowers operational stresses on cables
In their continued usage, cables are subjected to a lot of stress, which leads to various types of wear and tear. These stresses could originate from different sources such as:
Mechanical
Demands on cables arising out of pushing, pulling or abrasion caused by friction.
Heat
Excessive exposure to heat and light such as when sparks and splashes of molten metal or glass in factories land on cables. Conversely, extremely cold temperatures can also crack the cable sheathings.
Chemicals
In some situations such as oil refineries or Food & Beverages sectors, chemicals can erode the cable sheaths or break the wiring.
UV light exposure
If cables are used in areas with direct exposure to sunlight, they can be damaged through ultraviolet radiation.
There are different cable protection options to help counter these stresses, including braided sleeves for protection against mechanical stresses, conduits based on plastic or metal to provide resistance against heat and chemicals and more.
They help protect against environmental damage
Other aspects of the environment such as water, rodents and pests and foot traffic stepping on the cables can also cause significant damage if they are not protected.
When water mixes with electricity, it can lead to short circuiting, especially if the cables are corroded. Pests are a threat that can often be overlooked but some creatures with sharp teeth can gnaw on the cable sheath and cause serious damage. Special rodent-resistant braided sleeving can come in handy for protection in these scenarios.
Protecting cables means fewer health and safety incidents
In warehouses and other settings where many workers move around, it is important to keep cables tidy and protected. If they are not organised or arranged together in a compact way, workers could trip over them. If the cables then catch fire or short for some reason, it can cause serious damages to the health and safety of workers.
Robust cable protection can give you peace of mind
Aside from the direct benefits of protecting cables from operational stresses and environmental damage, cable protection helps businesses indirectly in other ways too.
Good cable protection allows you to do away with the need to buy or renew cables that suffer from wear and tear quickly. This means you can save money that may otherwise have been spent on buying new cables.
Protectors also help you save the time-consuming task of untangling cables and organising them. By extending the life and maximising the performance of your cables, you can spend your time and money on other revenue-generating aspects of your business.
LAPP’s SILVYN® brand of protective cable conduits comprises various products with their individual characteristics suited for specific applications. Whether you are looking for conduits that can withstand thermal, chemical or mechanical stresses, the SILVYN® range has you covered. Discover more about LAPP’s SILVYN® products to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Download our new e-book for a chance to win!
The choice of cable harnessing makes a big difference in production efficiency and cost. We’ve created the ultimate in-depth guide on all things cable harnessing. Download “The Ultimate Guide for Cable Harnessing Assembly” now for free and, for a limited time, enter a lucky draw for an exclusive prize!