The installation and maintenance of armored cross-linked cables require special attention to the following matters:
1、 Installation precautions
Environmental Assessment
Before installation, a comprehensive evaluation of the installation environment should be conducted. Ensure that the installation site is dry, clean, and free of standing water, corrosive substances, or flammable and explosive materials. For example, if installed in a damp basement, additional moisture-proof measures need to be taken, such as setting up a drainage system or using moisture-proof materials to treat the cable surroundings to prevent the cable from being affected by moisture and affecting its insulation performance.
Considering the ambient temperature, cross-linked cables are generally suitable for a wide temperature range. However, if installed in high or low temperature environments (such as cold storage or high-temperature workshops), appropriate cable models should be selected and corresponding protective measures should be taken. For example, in high-temperature environments, it may be necessary to add insulation layers, and in low-temperature environments, it is necessary to prevent cables from becoming brittle and damaged due to low temperatures.
cable selection
Choose the appropriate armored cross-linked cable model based on actual electricity demand and installation environment. Consider the rated voltage, current carrying capacity, and other parameters of the cable. For example, if it is used to supply power to large industrial equipment, the power demand of the equipment needs to be calculated, and cables with sufficient current carrying capacity should be selected to avoid cable overload and heating. At the same time, different forms of armor (such as steel belt armor, steel wire armor, etc.) are suitable for different mechanical protection requirements. For example, steel belt armor is suitable for general mechanical protection, while steel wire armor is more suitable for environments with greater tension and pressure.
Attention should also be paid to the fire performance requirements of cables. For places with fire protection requirements (such as high-rise buildings, shopping malls, etc.), armored cross-linked cables with flame retardant or fire-resistant properties should be selected.
laying method
There are various ways to lay armored cross-linked cables, such as direct burial, overhead, cable trays, etc. When directly buried, it is necessary to ensure that the cable burial depth meets the standard, generally above 0.7 meters, and protective measures such as protective plates should be laid above the cable to prevent it from being excavated and damaged. When laying overhead, it is necessary to ensure that the suspension of cables is firm, the spacing is appropriate, and to avoid collisions or wear of cables due to wind swinging and other reasons. When laying in cable trays, the arrangement of cables should be arranged reasonably to avoid cable crossing and overlapping, and attention should be paid to the good grounding of the trays.
For long-distance cable laying, the thermal expansion and contraction of the cable should be considered. For example, when directly burying long cables, expansion joints should be set up or a certain degree of curvature should be reserved according to regulations to prevent the cables from being damaged due to excessive stress caused by temperature changes.
Connection and grounding
The connection quality of cables directly affects the reliability of power transmission. When connecting armored cross-linked cables, it is necessary to ensure that the manufacturing process of the connector meets the specifications. For example, using appropriate crimping tools and techniques to ensure good conductivity and low contact resistance of the connector. For multi-core cables, it is necessary to correctly identify and connect the wires of each phase to avoid misconnection.
The armor layer and shielding layer of the cable must be properly grounded. Grounding can effectively prevent cables from being struck by lightning or other electromagnetic interference, while also ensuring personnel safety. In general, the armor layer should be grounded at both ends, and the grounding resistance should comply with relevant standards. If the cable length is long, it is also necessary to consider the rationality of the grounding method to prevent the generation of grounding circulation.
2、 Maintenance precautions
routine inspection
Regularly inspect armored cross-linked cables to check for any signs of damage, deformation, overheating, etc. on the appearance of the cables. For example, it is possible to visually inspect the surface of the cable for cracks or damage, and use an infrared thermometer to check if the temperature of the cable is normal. If an abnormal increase in surface temperature of the cable is found, it may be due to cable overload or poor contact, and it needs to be promptly investigated and dealt with.
Check the fixing condition of the cable to see if there is any looseness or displacement. Especially for cables near vibrating equipment or passing through areas that are prone to displacement (such as tunnels, bridges, etc.), it is necessary to ensure that they are firmly fixed to prevent damage caused by uneven force on the cables due to looseness.
insulation detection
Regularly conduct insulation resistance tests on cables to determine if their insulation performance is good. Generally speaking, the insulation resistance of newly installed cables should comply with relevant standards. As the usage time increases, the insulation resistance may decrease. If the insulation resistance drops to a certain extent, it is necessary to further check whether the cable is affected by moisture, aging, and other issues. Professional equipment such as a megohmmeter can be used for testing, and the correct methods and steps should be followed to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
For cables used in humid or corrosive environments, the frequency of insulation testing should be strengthened. For example, cables in chemical enterprises may be corroded by chemical substances, which can easily lead to a decrease in insulation performance and require more frequent testing and maintenance.
Fault handling
When a cable malfunction is detected, it is necessary to promptly and accurately determine the type and location of the fault. Cable fault testers and other equipment can be used for detection, and common types of faults include short circuits, open circuits, grounding, etc. For short circuit faults, it may be due to cable insulation damage causing direct contact between wires; The open circuit fault may be caused by external pulling or excessive bending of the cable, resulting in wire breakage.
After determining the location of the fault, correct repair measures should be taken. For minor insulation damage, local repair can be carried out, such as using insulation tape or insulation coating for treatment. But for serious faults, such as extensive cable damage, it may be necessary to replace the cable. After repairing or replacing the cable, strict testing and acceptance should be carried out to ensure that the cable can operate normally.
Cleaning and anti-corrosion
Keep the cables clean and regularly remove dust, dirt, and other debris from the surface of the cables. Especially in heavily polluted environments such as factories and mines, dust and dirt may affect the heat dissipation and insulation performance of cables. You can use a clean damp cloth or specialized cleaning agent for cleaning, but be careful to avoid using highly corrosive cleaning agents to avoid damaging the insulation layer of the cable.
For armored cross-linked cables used outdoors or in humid environments, anti-corrosion measures should be taken. For example, anti-corrosion coating can be applied to the surface of the cable to prevent rusting and corrosion of the armor layer. At the same time, attention should be paid to checking the waterproof performance of the cable, ensuring that the ends and connections of the cable are well sealed to prevent moisture from entering the interior of the cable.
In short, correct installation and scientific maintenance are the key to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of armored cross-linked cables. Only by strictly following the relevant precautions can the service life of the cables be extended and the stable operation of the power system be ensured.