Type P Polyrad Gas XLPO: The King Of Marine Cables
Marine and shipboard environments are some of the most demanding for wire and cable, as the cables need to operate in extreme temperatures and under the risk of corrosion while constantly being subjected to the impact of harsh saltwater. Modern marine and shipboard cables from trusted sellers are equipped to perform this job very well. They are quite pricey because they need innovative construction to navigate the demands of the marine environment.
However, when it comes to extremely harsh conditions, such as offshore drilling facilities and deep-sea rigs, you need something more extra than a good marine and shipboard cable. Modern offshore facilities are very demanding, and the technologies are constantly updated. The wires in marine industrial applications need to be even more reliable than most. That is when Type P Polyrad Gas XLPO Cable comes to play. This is a premium industrial marine cable designed to perform well in the most demanding conditions. Read on if you care to know what makes it the king of the marine cables.
Type P Cable And Its Applications
Type P Cable is also known as IEEE 1580 Type P based on the main marine cable standard that it meets, IEEE Recommended Practice for Marine Cable for Use on Shipboard and Fixed or Floating Facilities. The letter "P" in the cable's name stands for polyefilin, the material its insulation is made of.
Different types of Type P cables are used for all kinds of applications in offshore drilling, marine rigs, and petroleum facilities.
While the cable is not NEC-listed, it is very often used in the oil and gas industry in NEC 500 and NEC 505 applications thanks to its superior oil resistance properties and its behavior in the event of flame exposure. However, all components of the cable are put in the explosion-proof box when used in this way to minimize all the risks.
What Makes Type P Cable Superior To Other Marine Cables?
The things that make Type P cable stand out include:
- Its superior thermal balance.
- Wonderful mechanical properties.
- The thermoset system that makes the cable easily adaptable to various environmental conditions.
While these factors make the cable excellent, they also understandably keep it in a premium price segment.
Thermal balance makes it possible for Type P Cable to withstand the temperature range between -55ºC - +125ºC, making the cable suitable for offshore rigs from the Arctic to the equator. Type P cable passes UL cold impact and cold bend tests at its lowest temperature.
The mechanical properties of Type P Cable are also a wonder. The cable is designed to withstand severe stress both at the installation and during operation. The cable passes the crash and impact test required by UL 2225, meaning that it survives and performs well in extreme conditions, abrasion, mechanical impact, vibration, drilling, and other severe mechanical stress.
The cross-linking thermoset system of Type P cable is superior to most thermoset systems on the market. It enhances the flexibility of the cable, making it easier to install it in the arctic climate. The thermoset system also does not have many extra elements, such as separator tapes, further easing cable installation. The system also ensures that the cable is well protected against moisture that it is constantly exposed to. As a bonus, the colors on the cable do not fade out even in the most demanding conditions, making the identification safe at all times. A non-chlorinated flame retardant system also produces less harmful gases in the event of a fire.
Benefits of Type P Cable Construction
Type P cable is equipped with a flexible tinned soft copper conductor and a Cross-linked Polyolefin (XLPO) insulation. Let us look into more details regarding these elements of construction and see what benefits they provide.
A flexible tinned soft copper conductor is highly conductive and easy to install. Tinning provides superior resistance to corrosion, which is critical in offshore facilities. The conductor conforms to the highest marine standard of IEEE 1580.
Cross-linked Polyolefin (XLPO) insulation, which also meets IEEE 1580, is flame-retardant. Since the temperature rating of this insulation is 125ºC, it allows the use of smaller cables at a higher ampacity.
These elements are present in a basic Type P Polyrad Gas XLPO Cable, but the manufacturer has additional elements to offer depending on your needs.
Variations of Type P Cable and Its Construction
While all Type P perform similar functions, there is a variety to them that you should consider when choosing what to buy.
Depending on the purpose, Type P cables include power cables, control cables, instrumentation cables, VFD cables, or medium-voltage cables, with the former two being the most common categories. Power cables are used to transfer energy to the marine equipment, whereas control cables ensure the functioning of the marine equipment.
Type P cables come with one, two, three, four, five, or multiple copper conductors. The number of conductors you need depends on the unique application properties. The cables also come in 600 v /1000 v and 1000 v / 2000 v double voltage ratings.
Extra construction elements that are available for the Type P cable are armor and sheathing.
The armor in question is a premium bronze braid. While the physical properties of Type P cables are already on point, a bronze brain helps to significantly enhance abrasion resistance. Braiding also improves flexibility and helps to protect it from electrical interference.
The sheathing is a cross-linked Chlorinated Polyethylene (XL-CPE) jacket that provides superior protection from mud, oil, and abrasion, which is a must in industrial, marine applications.
At Nassau National Cable, we carry an extensive library of Type P Polyrad Gas XLPO Cables, and our specialists can help you pick the cable that is perfect for your particular marine industrial application.
