The Importance of High-Quality Cables in Efficient Power Transmission
Electricity is considered the most essential need of our modern era. A significant portion of the technological devices and tools that occupy a large part of our lives and increase in number every day operate on electricity. In every field where electricity, electronics, and technology are involved, cables suitable for different usage areas are needed in parallel with the diversity. Since the use of electricity without cables is impossible, it is important that the cables of technological devices have certain features in terms of human health and perfect transmission.
Cables are conductors made of copper wires, insulated with a plastic insulating material, used for transmitting electrical current. The quality of transmission directly depends on whether the wires are single (mono) or multi-core (flexible). Low current systems can be defined as systems that provide the flow of information, communication, control, and security arrangements and management within structures.
In addition to devices requiring high power and energy, there are also devices that operate on low currents. These devices function through low current cables designed to suit their usage area. Low current cables, produced from various materials according to their usage areas, are used for energy, control, communication, and information transmission.
Despite using different materials in the production of low current cables, a cable integrity that ensures the safe operation of both the devices and the system even in the event of danger is designed for the locations where the cables will be used.
The basic conductive material of cables is electrolytic copper and its alloys, while there is a significant variety in insulation and sheath materials. This variety primarily stems from the differences in the areas where they will be used.
Low Current Cables Have a Wide Range of Applications
Low current cables have a very wide range of applications. The increase in smart buildings, developments in nuclear energy, solar energy, and wind energy production facilities due to advancing technological progress, and the automation of many establishments in the industrial sector are reasons for the increasing variety of low current cables.
Among the types of low current cables are control cables, coaxial cables, welding cables, railway cables, fire-resistant cables, composite cables, CCTV cables, silicone cables, bus cables, energy cables, instrumentation cables, marine and yacht cables, fire alarm cables, installation cables, and audio-visual cables.
Low current systems are characterized by an electrical infrastructure that carries a low voltage and is safe for humans. Low current cables are generally used in indoor cable applications in buildings. They are preferred for applications under 1kV, such as video, alarm systems, CCTV security camera systems, audio, data transfer and data flow, security systems, and telephone systems within buildings. Low current cables perform exceptionally well in all areas, making them the best choice for homes and buildings.
Low current cable types are also used in shopping centers, cinemas, fire detection systems, burglar detection systems, access control systems (turnstiles, card access, facial recognition, fingerprint scanners, barrier systems), telephone exchanges, emergency announcement systems, central TV systems, smart home technologies, and data/network infrastructure systems. Low current systems, usually located within buildings, typically operate at 12V. It is crucial to meticulously plan and implement low current systems to ensure the safe living environment and energy efficiency of buildings. Additionally, in buildings with high human traffic such as hospitals, cinemas, schools, residences, airports, tunnels, factories, universities, public buildings, and sports facilities, ensuring that low current systems comply with regulations and standards is a top priority.
What to Consider When Selecting Low Current Cables?
When selecting low current cables, the following criteria should be considered:
- The internal and external installations of the structure,
- Whether the use is residential or industrial,
- The average air temperature of the environment in the structure,
- Resistance to potential rodents in the environment,
- The load capacity that can be placed on the cable.
Additionally, the fire and flame resistance of low current cables, and whether they emit flame or smoke in case of a fire should be checked. In environments with risks such as impact, strain, or rodents, careful consideration should be given to the appropriate sheath selection or the need for cable armoring. If low current cables are exposed to adverse factors such as moisture, chemicals, or oil in the environment, they should have protective features. Moreover, ensuring that the power supply of all low current cables is from a UPS is one of the most important aspects. If there is another signal in the environment that could affect the signal transmitted by low current cables, shielding may be necessary. The quality of shielding should be ensured by paying close attention to braid coverage ratios.
Low current cables are expected to comply with local or international standards depending on the type of circuit and the areas where they will be used. There may also be situations where compliance with specific specifications is required.
Intekar Global is cable factory based in Macedonia.