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All Electrical Cable Protection Systems Are Not Created Equal
For the past several decades, most industries within the North American market have been dominated using PVC jacketed metallic conduits (known as Liquid Tight) as a standard for a wide array of cable protection applications. PVC jacketed Liquid Tight conduits and associated fittings are still widely used throughout the industry. However, Polyamide cable protection technologies from Aeros USA are gaining acceptance and by far outperform PVC jacketed metallic conduits and fittings in all aspects.
Conversely, the European market has not used PVC jacketed metallic conduits since the 1980’s. Many European industry leaders have taken advantage of the latest in cable protection technology. This new technologically advanced system is a highly engineered polyamide system. The most compelling advantages of this high-performance polyamide system are the dramatically reduced assembly times, high impact resistance and flexibility associated with the polyamide conduits, fittings and associated accessory products.
A recent study completed by a Manufacturing Engineering Manager at one of the country’s largest contract manufacturers confirmed the use of Aeros USA’s Polyamide conduits and fittings will reduce assembly times to one fifth the time it takes to assemble PVC Jacketed metallic conduits and fittings. Thus, cost reductions realized with the labor savings will positively impact overall productivity. Furthermore, this manufacturing expert advised that Aeros USA’s Polyamide PA6D conduits and fittings offer much greater impact resistant than PVC jacketed metallic conduits. He demonstrated this by running a forklift over both Aeros USA engineered Polyamide PA6D conduit and PVC jacketed metallic conduit. The results of this test showed the PVC jacketed metal Liquid-Tight conduit crushed under the pressure of the forklift. Additionally, the PVC jacketed metal conduit had created sharp edges which pierced the insulation of the internal conductors resulting in intermittencies. Whereas the Aeros USA engineered Polyamide PA6D material withstood the pressure of the forklift with no damage done to the conduit or the conductors within.
Polyamide cable protection technology is the standard in conduits and fittings within the worldwide rail, transit, hybrid vehicle, and wind industries. However, it is still not widely known in comparison to the dated, yet heavily standardized PVC jacketed metallic Liquid Tight. The reason for this is the Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection systems are relatively new to the North American market and the majority of electrical and mechanical engineers throughout the United States and Canada are not aware of the superior technical advantages of the Aeros USA technology. It is Aeros USA’s foremost goal to educate our clients of these unique advantages. Below are examples of the distinct advantages of Polyamide conduits and fittings over PVC jacketed metallic conduits and fittings.
Assembly Time
The Manufacturing Engineering Manager’s recent time study concluded the Aeros USA Polyamide conduits and fittings vs. PVC jacketed metallic Liquid Tight, offers savings of up to one fifth the time to assemble as compared to PVC jacketed metallic conduits and fittings. The cutting procedure for PVC jacketed metallic conduits requires either a hacksaw or a band saw which take approximately one to two minutes per cut and results in sharp jagged edges which must be de-burred. Aeros USA Polyamide conduits, on the other hand, are literally cut to length in seconds with a simple cutting tool and require no de-burring procedures and produce no sharp edges that may cut hands or conductors. Aeros USA’s Quick Polyamide connectors are a one-piece, tool-free, IP69K (can be submerged to one meter of water for up to one hour and will withstand 1500 PSI direct pressure spray) connector. The termination time is one to three seconds! And no tooling of any kind is required to make the connection. PVC jacketed metallic connectors are made of numerous pieces and take approximately two to three minutes per connector to properly terminate. In the case of highly engineered Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection systems, a higher quality product will reduce production costs in the long run. Another point to consider, in addition to the drastic reduction in installation and assembly time realized when using Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection systems is the multi-decade longevity of the material. Regardless of extreme environmental conditions such as cold, heat, water, extreme UV exposure, etc. Polyamide is corrosion proof and will last decades in the most severe conditions. PVC jacketed metallic conduits may last a few years before needing to be replaced under similar conditions.
Multiple Recipes, Multiple Applications
Aeros USA Polyamide is a high-performance polymer which is derivative of nylon. There are numerous recipes created within Polyamide for a myriad of applications. A few examples of the superior performance characteristics of the Aeros USA Polyamide high-performance cable protection system are as follows:
Need Corrosion Resistance / Ingress Protection >> Consider Any Aeros USA Polyamide Products
Another of the core concepts behind the development and implementation of Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection systems is that of longevity and mechanical integrity in environmentally challenging applications. Aeros USA PA6 and PA12 Polyamide conduits have proven to remain corrosion proof for over 40 years in outdoor applications. By comparison, PVC jacketed metallic conduits will eventually rust, corrode, and fail within a few years in the field. PVC jacketed conduits also attract rodents which chew through the PVC jacketing and cause system failures when the intruding vermin mark their territories. Due to the molecular structure of Aeros USA Polyamide systems, and the lack of desire by rodents to chew on the polyamide material, this is a non-issue with the highly engineered polyamide system.
Need to Reduce Weight >> Consider Polyamide Conduits
Since fuel costs have increased significantly worldwide, especially in Europe, an additional core concept in the development and implementation of Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection technology has to do with the light weight of the product. Aeros USA’s Polyamide cable protection systems are used almost exclusively in the worldwide rail and transit industry because of the comparatively light weight of the Polyamide conduits and fittings vs. PVC jacketed metallic Liquid Tight conduits. Considering the significant amount of cable protection necessary in commuter and light rail cars, Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection’s light weight has a considerable impact on fuel savings in rail, transit, hybrid truck, bus, and commercial vehicle operations.
Need Chemical Resistance >> Consider Aeros USA Polyamide Products
There are a variety of Aeros USA Polyamide mixtures available for use in a very broad spectrum of applications. One of the best examples of this is the chemical resistance of the Polyamide cable protection system. From standard Aeros USA polyamide 6 & 12 to polypropylene (PP) with highly caustic chemical resistance properties and polyurethane (PU) with good abrasion and microbe resistance properties for use in clean room applications to petro-chemical and waste-water treatment facilities. Thus, a Polyamide product solution is available to meet the many challenges of harsh chemical environments. These products can stand up to harsh chemical wash-down, including jet-deicing. In addition, Polyamide can withstand all petroleum-based fluids and numerous, highly caustic chemicals and fluids.
Need UV Resistance >> Consider Aeros USA Polyamide Products
Aeros USA Polyamide conduits and fittings have been specified in the European and North American solar industries, outdoor security systems industries and many electrical utilities companies based on the exceptionally high degree of UV protection provided by this special polymer. One of the largest solar farms in the world, located in Saudi Arabia, utilized Polyamide exclusively in the construction of their project. Many of North America’s solar installers are quickly becoming aware of the advanced UV resistant characteristics of the Aeros USA Polyamide cable protection system. PVC jacketed metallic conduits, by comparison, will not withstand the prolonged exposure for many years in the sun and will crack, corrode, rust, and fail even under the most ideal environmental conditions.
Specialty Products
One product which is a mainstay in the rail and transportation industry is the Aeros USA specially engineered PA6 with low smoke and low toxicity characteristics rated to UL 94 VO. These flame resistance properties meet several ASTM and SMP specifications for flammability, smoke emission and smoke toxicity. There are also several Aeros USA products with unique characteristics such as shielding for protecting against EMI / RFI interference, high temperature conduits for use in applications rated up to 350°C continuous and oversized jumbo conduits up to 4’’ in diameter, standard-in-stock orange conduits to designate high-voltage, IP69K rated connectors for submersion and high-pressure wash-down and a very low-cost version known as Light-Line for price conscious engineers and buyers.
Summary
There is an Aeros USA High-Performance Cable Protection System product for every possible cable protection application. When comparing the Aeros USA High-Performance Cable Protection System Polyamide technology to PVC jacketed metallic (Liquid-Tight) conduits & fittings, Aeros USA Polyamide will stand out as a wise choice. Not only will mechanical and manufacturing engineers save significant time and cost in the assembly and termination of Aeros USA’s systems, but the product is more rugged than steel, more environmentally secure, more flexible, and lightweight, and more impact resistant than the standard Liquid Tight conduits used in the North American market.
