Engineering projects are being carried out in Saudi Arabia, especially when it involves the deployment of low-voltage intelligent systems. Choosing cables suitable for extreme temperatures is the key to ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the system. Summer temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, and the surface temperature is even more staggering. In some areas, day and night The temperature difference is extremely large, which brings serious challenges to the materials and performance of conventional cables. If errors are made during selection, it will directly cause signal attenuation, premature aging and brittleness of the insulation layer, and even cause short circuits and fire risks, thereby causing huge economic losses and safety hazards. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the technical requirements of cables in extreme temperature environments is a topic that every project planner and engineer has to face.
What is the specific impact of extreme high temperatures in Saudi Arabia on cables?
The high temperature in Saudi Arabia is not just a matter of high ambient temperature. In the case of direct sunlight, the temperature inside the cable tray or pipe may be 20 to 30 degrees Celsius higher than the air temperature, causing the temperature of the cable conductor to be always at a high level when working. This will increase the conductor resistance, which will not only increase energy consumption, but also cause serious attenuation of the signal during the transmission process, thereby affecting the clarity and stability of data communication.
If exposed to extreme heat radiation for a long time, the ordinary PVC insulation layer will accelerate the precipitation of plasticizer, and the material will become hard and brittle, eventually losing its insulation and protection functions. In addition, high temperatures will accelerate the aging process of cable sheaths, reducing their ability to withstand ultraviolet rays and ozone. After dust and humidity changes work together, the risk of cracking increases rapidly. This shows that the network may experience intermittent interruptions, security monitoring may have blind spots, and building automation commands may fail.
How to choose high temperature resistant weak current cable materials
When faced with high temperatures, materials science has provided solutions, using cross-linked polyethylene, also known as XLPE, or fluoroplastics such as FEP and PFA, or high-quality thermoplastic elastomers, namely TPE, which are used as insulation and sheathing materials for cables. They should be selected first. The heat resistance of XLPE materials can generally reach 90°C to 125°C. Its network molecular structure significantly enhances its ability to resist thermal deformation.
For key data transmission lines with higher requirements, such as data center backbone lines or industrial control network lines, you can consider using low-smoke halogen-free (LSZH) materials with very high flame retardant levels and particularly low smoke emissions. This type of material can provide a longer safe escape time in the event of a fire. At the same time, be sure to pay attention to the color of the cable sheath. Light-colored ones (such as white, light gray) are more capable of reflecting sunlight than dark-colored ones, and can reduce the temperature of the cable body to a certain extent. It provides global procurement services for weak current intelligent products. It can assist project parties to directly connect with international cable brands that meet such extremely stringent standards.
How the large temperature difference between day and night in the desert affects cable performance
In places in the desert areas of Saudi Arabia, the temperature difference between day and night may reach or even exceed 25 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon of periodic thermal expansion and contraction is a mechanical stress fatigue condition for cables. Cables have multiple layers of different materials, such as conductors, insulation, shielding, and sheaths. Their respective coefficients of thermal expansion are different. During repeated expansion and contraction, tiny separations or deformations may occur. If this accumulation continues for a long time, it will damage the integrity of the structure.
Temperature cycles will cause condensation to occur inside the cable. When the temperature drops sharply at night, the heat accumulated during the day will cause the air humidity inside the cable to be relatively high. When it is cold, it will condense into water droplets. The intrusion of moisture will reduce the insulation resistance, causing signal crosstalk or short circuit, which is a fatal threat to power cables. Therefore, in areas with large temperature differences, not only the temperature resistance range of the cable must be considered, but also its moisture-proof and anti-water seepage design.
What are the special requirements for the installation and laying of cables in extreme environments?
To ensure the performance of cables, the installation step is the last hurdle. In Saudi Arabia, exposure of cables to direct sunlight should be avoided as much as possible. When laying cables, it is preferable to use underground pipes, indoor bridges or special heat-insulated troughs. If you have to use an outdoor overhead method, you should use double-sheathed cables with a high ultraviolet protection level (UV), and ensure there is sufficient ventilation and heat dissipation space.
When laying pipelines, the filling rate of cables must be strictly controlled. Normally, its value will not exceed 40%, in order to leave corresponding channels for heat dissipation. It is necessary to avoid laying strong current cables and weak current cables closely together in parallel to reduce electromagnetic interference and superposition of heat sources. All outdoor interfaces and connectors must use protective boxes with a high waterproof and dustproof rating (IP rating), and must be sealed to resist the intrusion of sand and dust.
How to test and certify cables for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures
You can't just rely on the verbal promises made by the supplier to select cables. You must check whether it has internationally recognized third-party certifications and test reports. The main standards include UL (Underwriters Laboratories) high-temperature resistance certification, as well as relevant standards of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and GCC for the Gulf region.
Pay attention to the specific parameters given in the test report, such as the temperature required for long-term operation, the temperature during short-term overload, the specific retention value of the elongation after the thermal aging test, the final results of the low-temperature impact test, etc. For critical application scenarios such as fire protection systems, cables must also pass the fire resistance test to ensure that the integrity of the circuit can be maintained for a specific period of time in a flame. Before purchasing, if you meet the corresponding conditions, you can request samples and conduct small-scale testing in actual or simulated environments.
Practical advice on purchasing and maintaining high-temperature cables in Saudi Arabia
When purchasing locally in Saudi Arabia, be sure to choose a dealer with a good reputation, or directly cooperate with a brand authorized agent, and request clear certificates of origin and quality inspection reports to prevent the emergence of fake and shoddy products. In view of the logistics and warehousing conditions, after the cables are delivered to the construction site, they should be placed in a cool and dry indoor environment to prevent long-term exposure to the scorching sun.
It is extremely important to establish a regular inspection and maintenance system. Focus on checking whether the outdoor cable sheath has any signs of hardening, cracking, or fading, and whether the joints are properly sealed. Use thermal imaging cameras to regularly scan distribution cabinets and areas where bridges are concentrated to detect local hot spots in a timely manner. A system made of high-quality, high-temperature-resistant cables, coupled with scientific maintenance, can maximize the return on investment and ensure the stable operation of the intelligent system for decades.
In your engineering projects in Saudi Arabia, have you ever encountered difficult system failures due to cable temperature resistance issues? How did you ultimately troubleshoot and resolve this issue? Welcome to share your practical experience in the comment area. If this article has inspired you, please like it and share it with more peers.