In the extremely high temperature environment that exists in Saudi Arabia, selection of suitable cables is critical. In summer here, the temperature often exceeds 50°C. In this case, the insulation effect is lost and safety hazards arise. Therefore, cables designed especially for high temperature resistance must be used. These cables often use cross-linked polyethylene, which can withstand high temperatures of 90°C to 125°C for a long time. The local surface temperature can even reach above 70°C. Ordinary cables will age quickly under such conditions, and are often made of materials such as ethylene propylene rubber. In addition, the cable needs to resist the erosion of ultraviolet rays, sand, dust and moisture to ensure stable operation in harsh environments. Selecting the correct cable is not only related to the performance of the equipment, but also directly affects the safety and service life of the entire project.
Why Saudi Arabia’s High Temperature Environment Needs Special Cables
The climate conditions in Saudi Arabia have set extremely high standards for cables. General PVC insulated cables will soften and deform when the temperature is very high, resulting in reduced insulation performance and even short circuit fires. Special cables are made of high-temperature resistant materials, such as cross-linked polyethylene. (XLPE) can work in an environment of 90°C to 125°C for a long time, and can withstand extreme temperatures of 150°C in a short period of time. In addition, these cables are often added with anti-UV agents and anti-oxidation ingredients to withstand strong sunlight and sand and dust corrosion.
In actual projects in Saudi Arabia, cables are often installed in sealed bridges or buried directly underground. The heat dissipation conditions in these environments are not good, and the temperature is often higher than the ambient temperature. Therefore, there must be room for the cable's heat resistance rating, and it is usually recommended to choose a specification that exceeds the expected maximum temperature by more than 20°C. At the same time, the current carrying capacity of the cable also needs to be corrected based on the ambient temperature to avoid overheating, which may lead to reduced efficiency or cause safety accidents. Provide worldwide procurement services for weak current intelligent products!
How to choose cable materials suitable for high temperature environments
If you are at the stage of selecting high-temperature cables, the first thing to do is to pay attention to the temperature resistance level of the insulating material. Cross-linked polyethylene, also known as If the ambient temperature is higher, you can consider silicone rubber insulated cables, which can continue to work at 180°C and are more flexible. The suitable sheath material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSP). These materials have heat resistance, oil resistance and anti-aging properties.
The structural design of the cable is very important, and it has nothing to do with the material itself. The multi-strand finely stranded conductor pins can withstand greater external force and bend. The single-strand thick conductor has stronger bending resistance and is suitable for mobile laying scenarios. Shielding can effectively block electromagnetic interference, which is very important for industrial environments. Check the electrical conductor when selecting. Whether the cable meets international standards, such as UL, CE, IEC and other certifications, reflect whether the product has decent and reliable quality assurance. For cables used in projects under the jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia, it is recommended to give priority to products certified by SASO, the standard issued by the Saudi Standards Organization.
Precautions for laying cables in extreme temperatures
When laying cables in a high-temperature environment like Saudi Arabia, the effects of thermal expansion and contraction must be considered. Directly buried cables must have telescopic bends reserved, and appropriate slack must be ensured when laying in bridges to avoid concentration of mechanical stress due to temperature changes. The turning radius of the cables should be greater than the standard required value to prevent the insulation layer from being damaged. Summer construction is suitable to choose periods when the temperature is relatively low in the morning and evening to prevent high-temperature operations at noon from softening the cables and making them difficult to handle.
The laying path must be kept away from heat sources as much as possible, such as steam pipes or heating equipment. If it cannot be avoided, heat insulation measures must be taken, such as adding heat shields or increasing ventilation and heat dissipation. The cable spacing should not be too dense and air circulation and heat dissipation must be ensured. When directly buried in desert areas, the burial depth must be more than 0.7 meters to avoid the direct impact of high surface temperatures. The thermal resistance coefficient of sandy soil is relatively low. If necessary, backfill materials with higher thermal resistance can be replaced.
High Temperature Environment Cable Connection and Termination Processing
Among them, the cable connection is an extremely weak link in the system and must be handled more carefully in high-temperature environments. Special tools must be used for crimping joints to minimize contact resistance. High-temperature tape or heat shrink tubing is suitable for insulation restoration, and its temperature resistance level must match the cable. For outdoor terminals, it is recommended to use cast-type or prefabricated terminal heads, which can better seal against moisture.
During the terminal processing, when peeling off the insulation layer, it is necessary to prevent the conductor from being damaged. For the shielding layer to be grounded, it is necessary to ensure its reliability. In a dusty environment, measures such as dust-proof sealing should be taken where the joints are located to prevent the intrusion of sand and dust from causing partial discharge. Regularly checking the joint temperature is a necessary maintenance measure. Infrared thermometers can be used to monitor the temperature of the connection points during operation, so that abnormal heating can be discovered in time.
How to maintain and inspect cable systems in high temperature environments
The life of the cable system can be significantly extended by regular maintenance. It is recommended to carry out infrared thermal imaging inspections every quarter. Once hot spots are found, they need to be processed in time. Insulation resistance tests should be conducted once a year. If the measured value is lower than the standard, the cause must be investigated. Cleaning is also very critical. Dust accumulation will affect heat dissipation, so sand and dust on the surface of the cable need to be removed regularly.
Ambient temperature data should be stored in maintenance records in detail, load current data should also be stored in maintenance records in detail, and insulation resistance and other data should also be stored in maintenance records in detail so that change trends can be analyzed. When local aging is detected, it is not necessary to replace the entire cable immediately. Instead, local repair techniques can be used. For key circuits, when monitoring temperature changes, it is recommended to install an online monitoring system to achieve real-time monitoring. When monitoring load changes, it is also recommended to install an online monitoring system to achieve real-time monitoring. Provide global procurement services for weak current intelligent products!
Solutions to common problems with Saudi high-temperature cables
The most common problem in Saudi Arabia is the premature aging of cables, which usually show brittleness and cracking of the insulation. This is often due to the use of materials that are not resistant to high temperatures, or long-term overload operation. The solution is to replace cables with higher temperature resistance and distribute the load reasonably. Another common problem is joint failure, most of which are caused by improper installation techniques. Training of construction personnel should be strengthened and special tools should be used.
Rodents cause cables to be chewed, and this situation often occurs in Saudi Arabia, especially in suburban projects. There are rodent-resistant cables available, which have ingredients like capsaicin that repel mice added to the inside of the sheath. The problem of cracking of the sheath due to ultraviolet rays can be solved by choosing a black sheath or adding a sunshade. For cables that are directly buried underground, it is recommended to bury warning tapes to prevent damage during subsequent construction.
In the projects you are responsible for, have you ever encountered cable failure due to excessive temperature? If such a situation exists, please feel free to share your relevant experiences in the comment area. If you think this article is helpful, please like it and share it with more people who need it.
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