What is an Armoured Cable?

2. Steel Tape Armour Cable (STA)

The incorporation of steel tape and wire armour layers signifies a meticulous approach to cable protection, boasting high permeability and exceptional magnetic shielding capabilities. This inherent strength renders them adept at repelling low-frequency interference, ensuring uninterrupted signal transmission.

Notably, steel tape armouring emerges as a favored technique for safeguarding fiber optic cables, owing to its proven efficacy and reliability. This method not only fortifies the cables against external threats but also reinforces their resilience in challenging operational environments, thereby safeguarding critical communication pathways.

3. Aluminum Wire Armour Cable (AWA)

Aluminum wire armoured cables offer robust defense against mechanical stress, rendering them ideal for direct burial and outdoor or underground applications where resilience is paramount.

In electrical systems, the flow of current within cables inevitably gives rise to magnetic fields. These fields, in turn, induce electric currents known as eddy currents within the steel armour, potentially leading to overheating in AC systems. However, the utilization of aluminum, a non-magnetic material, for reinforcement effectively mitigates this risk, ensuring optimal performance and safety in diverse operational environments.

4. Braid Wire Armour

The braided armour cable features a meticulously crafted structure comprising numerous fine copper wires intricately interwoven into a tightly meshed tubular configuration that envelops the conductor. This specialized design serves a dual purpose: shielding against magnetic fields and minimizing electromagnetic interference, both within the cable and in proximity to other cables.

Primarily employed in environments where high-speed signal transmission is imperative, such as telecommunications and data networking, copper braided cables offer unparalleled protection against mechanical damage while ensuring optimal signal integrity and reliability.

Difference Between Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) Cable and Steel Tape Armoured Cable (STA)?

Azmat Cables Industries relies on steel tape armoured cable (STA) for applications such as direct burial, pipe laying, common ground installations, and tunnels. Compared to steel wire armoured (SWA) cables, STA cables offer a cost-effective solution. SWA cables, on the other hand, excel in scenarios requiring resistance to longitudinal tension, making them ideal for short-distance aerial or vertical installations. While SWA cables are more expensive due to their complex production process, they are versatile options suitable for network, power, and leaflet armoured cables, tailored to diverse environmental requirements and shielding needs.

Construction of Armoured Cable

The construction of an armoured cable involves several key components meticulously designed to ensure optimal performance and durability in various applications. Here’s a breakdown of its construction:

Conductor

The conductor serves as the pathway for electric current within a cable, facilitating the flow of electricity from one point to another. Typically situated at the core of the cable, it is essential for transmitting electrical energy efficiently and reliably.

Copper boasts superior conductivity compared to aluminum, making it a preferred material for conductors in many applications. However, both copper and aluminum are widely recognized as excellent choices for electric conductivity, each offering distinct advantages depending on the specific requirements of the application.

Insulation

The insulation of cables encompasses a variety of compounds, including PVC, PVC+NYLON, Low-Density Polyethylene, and XLP, chosen based on the cable’s intended usage.

Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) stands out for its widespread application in power cable systems, prized for its exceptional electrical properties and resistance to water. Ensuring that the conductive elements of the cable remain isolated from other conductors or metallic components is crucial. This insulation layer acts as a vital barrier, maintaining separation between the conductive and non-conductive segments of the cable, thus upholding its integrity and performance.

Bedding

The bedding serves as a crucial safeguard, shielding the sheath from potential mechanical harm. Its primary function is to establish a protective barrier, fostering separation between the inner and outer layers of the cables. This barrier not only enhances the cable’s durability but also ensures the integrity of its structural components, safeguarding against adverse environmental conditions and physical stresses.

Armour

Steel wire armour furnishes robust mechanical defense to the cable, enabling it to endure elevated stresses with resilience. This attribute renders armoured cables ideal for underground installations where resilience against external pressures is paramount. Moreover, the shield, typically grounded, serves not only to fortify the cable’s structure but also functions as a protective circuit conductor, commonly referred to as a “ground wire,” for equipment powered by the cable.

Sheath

The sheath, characterized by its commendable flexibility, serves the crucial role of bundling all cable components together. Beyond mere consolidation, it shields the cable from a spectrum of environmental adversities such as UV radiation, water intrusion, and diverse soil compositions, ensuring its longevity and reliability. Moreover, it offers supplementary safeguarding against external pressures. Among the array of sheath materials available, polyethylene (PE), Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF), PTFE, Rubber, and Silicone stand out as notable examples.