Marine Control Cable Buying Guide
Uses of marine control cable
Advantages of marine control cable
Frequently Asked Questions about Marine Control Cable
Introduction to Marine Control Cables
When it comes to buying or selecting cables, one of the things that you need to consider is the area of application. If the control cable will be used in the marine areas, then you need to marine control cable.
Keep in mind that there are different types of control cables. However, not all of them are suited for the marine environment. The physical and even electrical properties of marine cables make them suitable for the marine environment.
Are you planning to buy marine control cable for sale or even for personal use? It is important that you go through this guide. We are going to reveal to you everything that you need to know about these cables and even show you how to select the best marine cable.
1. What is Marine Control Cable?
This is a type of control cable that is designed and manufactured to be used in the marine environment. Marine control cables are flexible instrumentation cables that are designed for measuring, controlling and regulation.
These cables are mainly used in the field of automation whereby various components of the machinery need to run continuously with minimum supervision.
Marine control cables are very flexible thanks to the multi-core copper conductor that is inside them. The galvanized steel wire braid is used for giving the cable mechanical strength. The cables also feature an insulating material and a protective sheath.
The insulating material of a marine control cable is made of either XLPE or PVC. The sheath is usually made of PVC and in most cases, it is transparent.
2. Types of Marine Control Cable
Planning to buy marine control cables in China? One thing that you should know is there are different types of marine control cables. These are CY SY and YY marine control cables.
So, which of these three marine control cable should I buy? Let’s have a brief look into them and you will be in a position to decide the right control cable that will work for you.
(i) SY marine control cable
SY control cable is mainly used for regulation, controlling and measuring instruments and machinery. Just like a typical control cable, SY cables are very flexible and are well-protected.
Most SY control cables have PVC insulation though some feature XLPE material. They also have an external sheath for protection.
A typical SY cable has a voltage rating of between 300V and 500V. It not advisable to use them on Extra Low Voltage applications.SY marine control cables are commonly used in the marine transport industry. They are also used in the communication gadget and manufacturing tools that are located in the marine areas.
(ii) Marine CY control cable
This type of marine control cable is also known as screened flexible cable. They are mainly used for regulation and measurement cables in different types of equipment.
Marine CY control cables are common in computer units, line conveyors and even in the production lines of big factories.
Like other control cables, CY cables have an external sheath and insulating material for protection against interference of the circuit.
(iii) YY Marine Control Cable
YY cable is another type of control marine cable that can be used for serving various purposes.
These cables mainly serve as interconnecting cables for control, regulation, and measurement. You will need them in the production, handling and assembly environments. Transport and manufacturing industries tend to enjoy the advantages that come with using YY control cable.
The insulation and the sheath of the YY marine control cables are made of PVC material. However, some insulations are made of XLPE which can easily cope with the harsh marine environment.
Although the features of these marine control cables seem to be the same, there are some differences that determine the overall performance and effectiveness of the cable.
Some cables will perform well in a certain environment and fail in others. If you are not sure about the type of control cable to buy, You should consider contacting a marine control cable manufacturer or even an expert for advice. You will be given appropriate advice on choosing the best marine control cable.
3. Features of Marine Control Cable
Marine control cables are not your ordinary control cables. They have unique features that enable them to serve well while at the same time last for long in such harsh conditions.
Although there are different types of marine control cables, all of them seem to have certain common characteristics. Here are the main features of the marine control cable:
-The conductor: Copper is the main conductor for marine control cables. It has several desirable conductive properties and that is why it is chosen for these cables.
The copper cable is usually stranded to enhance its flexibility.
-Insulation: Due to the marine environment, strong insulation is usually chosen for the control cables. XLPE insulating material fits the bill due to its reliability especially when it comes to protecting the cable.
-Armoring: The marine cable is further shielded against the mechanical stress by armoring material. This is because the cable will be subjected to pulling forces during the installation process. Steel wires are usually used as the main armoring material for the marine cables that have single cores.
The armoring material used must not have any magnetic effect on the cable.
-Outer protection: There a protecting material that is on the outer of the cable. Usually, PVC is the most preferred material for the sheath. It protects the cable from different factors that can cause physical damage.
3.1 Marine Cable parameters
The characteristics of the marine cables that we have listed above are usually based on various parameters. The parameters are simply the elements that can affect the performance and operation of a marine control cable. These parameters include:
-Ambient temperature: While designing and manufacturing the marine control cables, the manufacturers must consider the temperature of where the cable will be installed. This can be the sea temperature, room temperature or even land temperature.
-Position of installation: Some marine control cables can be installed on the ground, others underground while others can be hung on the wall. The features of the cable should match the location of the installation.
-Electrical conductivity: The conductivity property of the cable has a big impact on its characteristics. It will affect the type of conducting that you will use and even the cross-section area of the conductor to be used for the cable.
-Voltage rate: While coming up with the cable, the manufacturer will always keep in mind the voltage rating of the cable.
4. Marine Control Cable Specifications
How do I know that the marine control cable that is planning to buy will do its job well? This is quite simple. Just look at the marine control cable specifications. They give details about the physical and electrical properties of these cables. From this information, you will be in a position to know what to expect from your cable.
Before you buy marine control cables, here are some of the key specifications that you should look at:
1. The conductor of the marine control cable
The marine control cable conductor should comprise of stranded annealed copper. This conductor should provide maximum flexibility and should have minimum dimensions to enhance ease in handling.
You should also check the rated voltage of the conductor before buying it. Ensure that the voltage rating of the cable matches the power need of the equipment.
2. Insulation material
The most preferred insulating material for the marine cable is XLPE. There are numerous reasons why we choose this material over other insulators. One of the reasons is the ability to withstand high temperatures.
XLPE insulators are better than the ordinary thermoplastic insulators in many different ways. Apart from just strength, they are able to survive under harsh conditions. XLPE is also resistant to chemical reactions: a common feature in the marine environment. The insulator is in line with the IEC 60092360 which stipulates the maximum temperature for the insulators.
3. Fire resistance
Marine control cable should be able to preserve the integrity of the circuit even when there is fire. The cable should meet the IEC 60331-1 and IEC 60331-2.
These standards indicate that the cable will remain functional even when the temperature exceeds a certain limit for a particular period. The fire resistance standards of these cables can vary depending on their diameter.
4. Sheathing material
Marine control cables also have the sheathing material. These are thermoplastic compounds that give the cable extra protection against various elements that can affect the state of the cable.
The material provides protection against mechanical forces, halogen, flame, smoke, and other toxic gases.
This material should also meet the minimum SHF1 and IEC 60092-360 standards.
5. Climatic condition
While the control cable is designed for the marine conditions, the manufacturer should go ahead to specify the specific climatic conditions under which the cable can survive.
Some of these conditions include the maximum and minimum temperatures, ambient temperature, maximum humidity, height above and below sea level, maximum wind pressure among others.
6. Design feature
The design will dictate the physical appearance of the control cable for instrumentation and will also affect how you handle them.
For the purpose of flexibility, the copper conductor should be stranded and the cable should be thin. It should also smooth and the quality should be uniform throughout the cable.
5. Tests and Standards of Marine Control Cable
How will you be able to tell that the marine control cable will perform as per your expectations?
The surest way is by looking at the tests that the cable has undergone. A marine control cable manufacturer should indicate thee tests that have been carried out on the cable to prove that they are of high quality.
One of the tests is known as the Type tests and samples of the cable are taken to undergo various tests.
The cable can be taken through the fire test to determine its fire resistance capability. In the fire test, the cable is subjected through flames of the different temperature ranges.
Another test is the halogen resistance test. Here the cable is exposed to halogen gas to see whether the gas will manage to penetrate through the insulator and the sheath.
On the other hand, the chemical test is carried out to test the reaction of the cable to different chemicals. A marine control cable is usually taken through a strength test to determine its physical strength.
5.1 Standards and Approvals of the marine Control Cable
In addition to the internal tests, the marine cable for sale should also have approval from the external bodies. These are organizations that set up the global standards which all the marine control cables should meet.
One of the approvals is the IEC and it sets the standards for various properties that all the cables should meet. There are various IEC standards and some of them directly affect the properties of the marine cables.
XXX Cable Group has met all the accreditation and the approvals that are given by various third party bodies. These approvals show that we are an organization that is committed to manufacturing the best and reliable marine control cables.
6. Advantages of the Marine Control Cable
After looking at the key features of the marine control cables, we can easily point out the benefits that you stand to gain from them. Here are some of the advantages that come with buying, installing and using marine control cable:
-A wide range of applications: We have already listed various uses of the marine control cable. These cables are highly reliable and this is just one of the reasons why they can be used in different areas of application.
-Highly flexible: The lightweight nature allows these control cables to be very flexible. This, in turn, makes it easy to install anywhere without straining.
-Excellent conductivity: The good choice of the cable’s conducting material minimizes the voltage loss. The insulators also prevent interference of the electric transfer from the external sources.
You should also take note that these cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference.
-Strong and durable: One unique characteristic of the marine control cable is its tensile strength. These cables are designed for tough marine conditions and this explains their immense strength. You will not spend lots of money dealing with replacement costs.
7. Difference Between Marine Control and Marine Power Cable
Are you on a mission to buy marine cables? There is a high chance that you have encountered these two cables: marine control and marine power cables. Are they the same types of cables? If not, what is the difference between the two types of marine cables?
Marine control cable and power cable tend to have some similarities. Both of them are used in electrical applications, whether it is in a building or a factory. Also, both cables have different power or voltage ratings.
The first difference is the purpose of the cables. While the power cables are used for the transmission of electricity, marine control cables are used to control and measure in their respective fields of application. They send signals that are used to control the functioning of automated instruments or machines.
Another key difference is in terms of the sheathing of the cables. Marine power cables are covered with thick layers of the sheath to protect them against tensile strength among other external forces. This is because the cables carry high voltage electricity.
On the other hand, the sheathing layer that is on the control cable is not too thick. It is just enough to prevent the leakage of electric signals from the cable. The minimal thickness also ensures that the cable fits into any machine or instrument without any problem. Usually, the sheath is transparent so that the operators can easily see or identify the problem and act immediately.
Another difference between marine power cable vs marine control cable is in the conductor that is used. The plain annealed conductor is the main cable that is used in the control cable. On the other hand, power can use either copper conductor or aluminum conductor.
With this information, you should be able to differentiate marine control cable vs marine power cable. The two are very different in various ways and are designed for different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marine Control Cable
Are there other things that you would like to know about marine control cable? Don’t worry. Here is a compilation of the most common questions that people ask with regards to the marine control cables:
Q: What is cable shielding in marine control cable?
A: Cable shielding entails wrapping the material around the control cable so as to shield it from the electromagnetic effects.
Usually, the shield comprises a dielectric insulator that is wrapped in a plastic jacket. A metal braiding and metal tape are then used for enhancing the shield strength.
Q: What is the difference between control cable jackets and insulations?
A: A jacket is an outer sheath that protects the cable from the mechanical and chemical elements. They are also resistant to fire and flame. On the other hand, insulation is directly taped onto the wire to prevent the uncontrolled flow of electricity.
Q: Does the fire rating of the cable means it won’t burn in case of fire?
A: The screen rating means that the cable will continue operating for a particular period in case there is fire. It will only guarantee circuit integrity during that time, beyond that, the flow cannot be guaranteed.
Q: What is the difference between unsheathed and sheathed marine control cable?
A: Unsheathed means that the cable is not sheathed. Sheathed means that the marine control cable is protected by the sheath.
Q: What is the price of marine control cable?
A: There is no universal price of marine control cables. Instead, the price depends on the specifications of the cable that you want. The best way of knowing the price is by contacting the marine control cable manufacturer directly.
Q: Where can I buy the best marine control cable?
A: The surest place to get the cable is from a reputable marine control cable manufacturer in China. Here you will get high-quality cables at good prices.
8. SSG Cable Group- Reliable Marine Cable Manufacturer in China
Finding the best marine control cable is not an easy task. This is why we at the SSG cable group are here to ensure that you get good control cables. We are a reputable marine control cable manufacturer in China.
We are highly experienced in this field and we deal with a variety of marine control cables. We have an able team of specialists who ensure that everything is done correctly. We follow all the due procedures including the quality assurance and control processes so that the cable meets the highest standards.
In case you are looking for quality marine control cables in China, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will ensure that your ultimate goals are met.
In the past decades, SSG aims offering our worldwide customers with superior quality and safest standard marine control cable. Our selected marine cables help you run your equipment at optimum safety level in severe marine conditions.