Reeling & Trailing Cables For Cranes & Mining — Feichun Special Cable Blogs - Explore Feichun's Expert Solutions For Reeling Cables Used In Cranes And Ship Unloaders, And Trailing Cables For Mining. Our Blog Shares Technical Insights And Product Information To Ensure High Performance And Safety In Demanding Industrial Environments.

17 Min Read

Tratos Tratosflex-ES3 3x50+2x25/2 6/10kV heavy-duty medium-voltage reeling cable designed for port machinery, STS cranes, mining draglines, and subsea umbilical applications. Covers nominal PUR jacket thickness specifications, manufacturing tolerance windows, detailed polyurethane chemistry and superior environmental protection properties compared to chloroprene (CR) and PVC alternatives, mechanical stress distribution mechanisms during ultra-high-speed reeling operations up to 300 m/min

on27/02/2026

How Thick is the PUR Jacket on Tratosflex-ES3 3×50+2×25/2 6/10kV Medium-Voltage Reeling Cable?

Tratos Tratosflex-ES3 3x50+2x25/2 6/10kV heavy-duty medium-voltage reeling cable designed for port machinery, STS cranes, mining draglines,…

Discover More

21 Min Read

The nominal outer diameter of NSHTÖU-J 4G50 (four 50 mm² power conductors plus one integrated green/yellow earth conductor, five total) is approximately 42.0–48.0 mm, whereas the equivalent 4x50 configuration (four 50 mm² power conductors only, four total, no dedicated earth conductor) is nominally approximately 38.5–44.5 mm, representing an outer diameter differential of roughly 3.5–4.0 mm in nominal specification ranges. This diameter increase in the 4G50 configuration reflects the spatial and mechanical requirements necessary to integrate the additional green/yellow earth conductor into the cable cross-section while maintaining proper insulation distances between all conductors, adequate mechanical spacing to distribute stress during high-speed reeling operations, and structural integrity under the extreme tensile loads encountered in port cranes, mining draglines, and industrial lifting applications. The 4G50 configuration typically exhibits copper content of approximately 1,920 kg/km (including the earth conductor), while 4x50 exhibits approximately 1,680–1,750 kg/km (earth conductor copper excluded), and total cable weight differs by approximately 300–400 kg/km, reflecting the substantial additional material required to safely integrate the fifth conductor. Both configurations comply with DIN VDE 0250-814 requirements for heavy-duty rubber reeling cables, but they serve different grounding architecture philosophies: the 4G50 is integrated-earth design (ground circuit built into the cable cross-section), while the 4x50 typically requires external earth/ground conductors or relies on external armor or cable tray grounding, making it more suitable for installations where ground paths can be established through equipment frames or external conductors.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Outer Diameter Difference Between 4G50 and 4×50 in NSHTÖU-J 0.6/1kV Cable Specifications?

The nominal outer diameter of NSHTÖU-J 4G50 (four 50 mm² power conductors plus one integrated green/yellow earth conductor, five total) is…

Discover More

21 Min Read

The nominal overall diameter (O.D.) of a Nexans AmerCable 37-102594BS 2/C #4 AWG 600/1000V bronze armored and sheathed marine power cable is approximately 28.45 mm (1.120 inches), with a standard tolerance window of ±1.0–1.5 mm producing a permissible range of 26.95–29.95 mm. The cable features two parallel Class 5 tinned copper main power conductors each rated for 4 AWG (approximately 21.2 mm² cross-section), with a Gexol® XLPO (cross-linked polyolefin) insulation system providing superior low-frequency and high-frequency electrical integrity for 600/1000V marine applications. The outer protective architecture comprises a high-density bronze wire braid armor layer (approximately 1.5–2.0 mm thickness) specifically engineered to resist saltwater corrosion and mechanical abuse, overlaid with an arctic-grade halogen-free thermosetting rubber jacket (approximately 2.0–2.5 mm thickness) providing extreme durability in harsh offshore, subsea, and deep-freeze industrial environments. The approximate total weight is ~1,380 kg/km (927 lbs/1000 ft), with pure copper content approximately 380 kg/km. This cable achieves IEEE 1580 Type P certification, meeting or exceeding all critical flame-retardance, electrical stress distribution, and mechanical protection requirements for offshore drilling platforms, large vessel power systems, subsea equipment power distribution, and Class I Division 1 hazardous zone installations where conventional industrial cables cannot operate safely.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Overall Diameter (O.D.) of AmerCable 37-102594BS 2/C #4 AWG Bronze Armored Cable?

The nominal overall diameter (O.D.) of a Nexans AmerCable 37-102594BS 2/C #4 AWG 600/1000V bronze armored and sheathed marine power cable is…

Discover More

14 Min Read

(N)TSKCGEWÖU 3x150+3x25/3 3.6/6kV cable with split three-part earth conductor is approximately 65 mm (2.56 inches), with a standard tolerance window of ±3.0 mm producing a permissible range of 62.0–68.0 mm. The inner jacket (the intermediate protective layer between the insulation and outer sheath) typically has a nominal thickness of approximately 0.8–1.0 mm, contributing to overall diameter build-up but not typically measured as a separate "inner diameter" in engineering specifications because the inner jacket is not a defined outer boundary—it is a layer embedded within the cable structure. The outer jacket (the final thermosetting rubber compound layer) has a nominal thickness of approximately 2.5–3.0 mm, providing the cable's mechanical interface with the environment. The approximate total weight of this cable is 8,200 kg/km (5,510 lbs/1000 ft), with copper content approximately 4,560 kg/km. It features three 150 mm² Class 5 tinned copper main phase conductors, three strategically distributed 25/3 mm² split earth conductors for electromagnetic symmetry, a 3GI3 high-dielectric EPR insulation system rated for continuous 90°C operation, an anti-torsion braid reinforcement layer, and a 5GM5 thermosetting halogen-free outer sheath providing extreme abrasion and tear resistance.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Inner and Outer Jacket Diameter of (N)TSKCGEWÖU 3×150+3×25/3 3.6/6kV Splittable Earth Cable?

(N)TSKCGEWÖU 3x150+3x25/3 3.6/6kV cable with split three-part earth conductor is approximately 65 mm (2.56 inches), with a standard tolerance…

Discover More

10 Min Read

BFOU 0.6/1kV P5/P12 fire-resistant offshore power cable with 3 × 95 mm² tinned copper conductors is approximately 45 mm (1.77 inches), with a standard tolerance window of ±2.0 mm producing a permissible range of 43.0–47.0 mm. This specification is critical for cable gland selection because offshore and marine cable glands are manufactured with specific bore diameters engineered to accommodate this dimensional range. The approximate total weight of this cable is 4,950 kg/km (3,330 lbs/1000 ft), with copper content approximately 3,350 kg/km. It features three 95 mm² Class 2 tinned copper main power conductors, a halogen-free EPR insulation system, a critical mica tape fire-resistance layer rated for 830°C continuous operation (IEC 60331 certified), tinned copper wire braid armor providing mechanical protection and electromagnetic shielding, and an SHF2 halogen-free thermosetting outer sheath rated for extreme marine and subsea conditions.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Cable Gland Sizing: Finding the OD Tolerance for BFOU 0.6/1kV P5/P12 3×95 mm² Offshore Power Cable

BFOU 0.6/1kV P5/P12 fire-resistant offshore power cable with 3 × 95 mm² tinned copper conductors is approximately 45 mm (1.77 inches), with a…

Discover More

13 Min Read

The nominal width of a (N)TSFLCGEWÖU 4x120 0.6/1kV shielded flat trailing cable is approximately 91 mm (3.58 inches), with a tolerance window of ±3.5 mm producing a permissible range of 87.5–94.5 mm. The nominal thickness is approximately 27.5 mm (1.08 inches), with a tolerance window of ±1.5 mm producing a permissible range of 26.0–29.0 mm. The approximate total weight of this cable is 8,200 kg/km (5,500 lbs/1000 ft), with copper weight approximately 5,250 kg/km. It features four 120 mm² main power conductors rated for 321 amperes continuous operation at 30°C ambient, supplemented by individual copper braid shielding on each conductor for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with variable-frequency drives and other sensitive equipment. The distinction between width and thickness for flat cables differs fundamentally from round cable specifications because flat cables do not have a single outer diameter. Instead, engineers must manage two dimensions simultaneously, and these dimensions directly determine whether the cable will fit into festoon track systems, contact shoe assemblies, and guidance rail configurations commonly deployed in overhead crane systems and automated material handling equipment.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Width and Thickness of (N)TSFLCGEWÖU 4×120 0.6/1kV Shielded Flat Cable?

The nominal width of a (N)TSFLCGEWÖU 4x120 0.6/1kV shielded flat trailing cable is approximately 91 mm (3.58 inches), with a tolerance window…

Discover More

11 Min Read

The nominal outer diameter of a Type SHD-GC 3/C 350 MCM 15kV flexible mining trailing cable is approximately 73 mm (2.87 inches), with a maximum permissible outer diameter of approximately 74.9 mm (2.95 inches) per ICEA S-75-381 and NEMA WC-58 standards. The approximate weight of this specific cable geometry is 10,900 kg/km (7,300 lbs/1000 ft). It features three 350 MCM (177 mm² equivalent) main power conductors rated for 435 amperes continuous operation, supplemented by two 2/0 AWG earth conductors and one 6 AWG ground-check monitoring conductor for enhanced mining safety systems. The distinction between nominal (design target) and maximum (allowable limit) outer diameter is critical for mining operations because reel systems, conduit systems, and terminal connectors are engineered based on these dimensional constraints. A cable that exceeds the maximum outer diameter will not fit into equipment designed for the nominal specification, creating logistics delays and operational disruptions that cost far more than any cable savings.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Maximum Outer Diameter of Type SHD-GC 3/C 350 MCM 15kV Mining Cable?

The nominal outer diameter of a Type SHD-GC 3/C 350 MCM 15kV flexible mining trailing cable is approximately 73 mm (2.87 inches), with a…

Discover More

15 Min Read

(N)TSCGEWÖU 3x185+3x35/3 6/10kV cables in large-scale mining operations, the outer diameter is not merely a specification number—it is a critical interface parameter determining whether the cable fits your reel system, passes through underground shaft collars, mates with terminal connectors, and allows proper tension management during deployment and retrieval.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

What is the Exact Outer Diameter of (N)TSCGEWÖU 3×185+3×35/3 6/10kV Reeling Cable?

(N)TSCGEWÖU 3x185+3x35/3 6/10kV cables in large-scale mining operations, the outer diameter is not merely a specification number—it is a…

Discover More

17 Min Read

LAPP ÖLFLEX CHAIN 896 P 4G16 is a premium-tier industrial drag chain power cable engineered for the most demanding continuous-flex applications in modern manufacturing automation. The cable's specialized design delivers 76 amperes continuously while withstanding millions of dynamic bending cycles in CNC machine tools, industrial robotic systems, automated storage and retrieval equipment, wind turbine yaw and pitch systems, and mobile material handling platforms. Every aspect of the cable—from the ultrafine Class 6 copper conductor stranding through the thermosetting halogen-free PUR outer jacket—reflects LAPP's commitment to reliability in environments where mechanical fatigue is the primary failure mode, not electrical stress.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Direct Replacement for LAPP ÖLFLEX CHAIN 896 P 4G16: High-Flex Drag Chain Cable Equivalents

LAPP ÖLFLEX CHAIN 896 P 4G16 is a premium-tier industrial drag chain power cable engineered for the most demanding continuous-flex…

Discover More

26 Min Read

Type W 4/C 2/0 AWG 2000V portable power cables represent the heavy-duty backbone of North American mining operations, temporary power distribution systems, and construction equipment supply chains. These cables deliver 237 amperes continuously while withstanding the mechanical abuse, thermal cycling, oil exposure, and moisture ingress endemic to underground mining, drilling rig operations, and industrial emergency power applications. The designation "Type W" codifies a specific engineering philosophy: maximum flexibility through extreme copper stranding (259 to 342 fine wires per conductor), robust outer sheathing rated for tractor drag and ground abrasion, and flame-retardant chemistry meeting the rigorous MSHA standards that govern underground coal mining environments.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Sourcing Type W 4/C 2/0 AWG 2000V: Generic Equivalents Meeting MSHA Standards

Type W 4/C 2/0 AWG 2000V portable power cables represent the heavy-duty backbone of North American mining operations, temporary power…

Discover More

18 Min Read

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Cost-Effective Replacement for Nexans RHEYFIRM (RS) 3×50+3×25/3 12/20kV

Nexans RHEYFIRM (RS) 12/20kV is a premium-tier medium-voltage reeling cable specifically engineered for high-speed, high-stress port machinery…

Discover More

21 Min Read

Prysmian PROTOLON (SM) 3x150+3x25/3 6/10kV is a specialized high-voltage reeling cable engineered for environments where mechanical stress, torsional loading, and cable flexibility are as critical as electrical performance. Unlike standard medium-voltage power cables, PROTOLON cables are designed for continuous reeling and unreeling—the cable must bend, twist, and flex thousands of times over their service life without insulation cracking, conductor breakage, or protective conductor separation.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Cross-Reference Guide: Exact Equivalents for Prysmian PROTOLON (SM) 3×150+3×25/3 6/10kV

Prysmian PROTOLON (SM) 3x150+3x25/3 6/10kV is a specialized high-voltage reeling cable engineered for environments where mechanical stress,…

Discover More

22 Min Read

AmerCable 37-102594BS, part of the Nexans AmerCable Gexol® premium marine cable family, represents a highly engineered solution for extreme environments—drilling rigs, floating production platforms, heavy-duty ship systems, and industrial facilities where cable failure is not an option. However, procurement teams worldwide face recurring supply challenges: extended lead times, regional availability constraints, price volatility tied to raw material markets, and the need for local certification or supplier support within specific geographic jurisdictions.

Technical Department

on27/02/2026

Looking for an Alternative to AmerCable 37-102594BS? Marine & Offshore Power Cable Solutions Guide

AmerCable 37-102594BS, part of the Nexans AmerCable Gexol® premium marine cable family, represents a highly engineered solution for extreme…

Discover More

15 Min Read

The designation BFOU(c) is not arbitrary—it is a highly structured labeling system derived from the NEK 606 Norwegian marine standard that encodes critical information about the cable's construction, safety properties, and intended application. By understanding what each letter represents, you gain immediate insight into the cable's fundamental characteristics and whether it is suitable for your specific marine environment. BFOU(c) 代号是从 NEK 606 挪威海洋标准派生的高度结构化标签系统，编码了电缆的关键安全特性和预期应用。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Datasheet & Specs: Technical Specifications for BFOU(c) 150/250V S4/S8 4x2x1.5 mm² Marine Instrumentation Cable

The designation BFOU(c) is not arbitrary—it is a highly structured labeling system derived from the NEK 606 Norwegian marine standard that…

Discover More

16 Min Read

The minimum bending radius for the (N)TSKCGEWÖU 3x95+3x16/3 3.6/6kV cable ranges from a minimum of approximately 348 millimeters for fixed installations to a maximum of 1,160 millimeters for S-curve transitions and forced-bend applications, with the most common reeling drum application falling in the 725–870 millimeter range. However, these numbers are meaningful only if you understand what they represent, why different installation types require different radii, and what happens to your cable if you bend it tighter than the specified limit. 最小弯曲半径范围从固定敷设的 348 毫米到 S 型转弯的 1,160 毫米不等，卷筒应用通常为 725–870 毫米。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Minimum Bending Radius: How Tight Can You Bend a (N)TSKCGEWÖU 3×95+3×16/3 3.6/6kV Cable?

The minimum bending radius for the (N)TSKCGEWÖU 3x95+3x16/3 3.6/6kV cable ranges from a minimum of approximately 348 millimeters for fixed…

Discover More

16 Min Read

NSHTÖU-J 4G16 0.6/1kV flexible rubber cable weighs approximately 1.17 to 1.30 kilograms per meter, depending on the specific manufacturing tolerance and the composition of the outer sheath material used by your cable supplier. This means that a 100-meter length of cable would weigh roughly 117 to 130 kilograms — about the weight of a fully grown man for every 100 meters of cable. Understanding what this weight represents, where it comes from, and how it affects your equipment design and installation planning is far more valuable than simply knowing the number. NSHTÖU-J 4G16 电缆的每米重量约为 1.17 至 1.30 千克，具体取决于制造公差和外护套材料。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Weight Calculator: What is the Weight per Meter of NSHTÖU-J 4G16 0.6/1kV Flexible Rubber Cable?

NSHTÖU-J 4G16 0.6/1kV flexible rubber cable weighs approximately 1.17 to 1.30 kilograms per meter, depending on the specific manufacturing…

Discover More

19 Min Read

Ampacity is the maximum electric current that a conductor can safely carry continuously without exceeding a specified temperature limit, usually 90°C for power cables used in mining and industrial applications. The word itself is a contraction of "ampere" and "capacity," and it represents a fundamental constraint imposed by the physics of electrical resistance and heat dissipation. Understanding ampacity is not an academic exercise — it is the critical foundation for ensuring that your mining equipment receives reliable power, that cables do not overheat and fail prematurely, and that your operation avoids unplanned downtime due to cable damage or failure. 载流量是导体在不超过指定温度限值（通常为90°C）的条件下能连续安全承载的最大电流。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Ampacity Rating Guide: How Much Current Can a Type SHD-GC 3/C 4/0 AWG 8kV Cable Handle?

Ampacity is the maximum electric current that a conductor can safely carry continuously without exceeding a specified temperature limit,…

Discover More

13 Min Read

The (N)TSCGEWÖU cable designation is not a casual product name — it is a highly standardized engineering specification that contains critical information about the cable's construction, materials, voltage rating, and intended application. Each letter and number in this alphanumeric code tells a specific story about what this cable is designed to do and under what conditions it will perform safely and reliably. (N)TSCGEWÖU 电缆代号不是随意的产品名称，而是高度标准化的工程规格。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

What is the Outer Diameter (OD) of (N)TSCGEWÖU 3×185+3×35/3 6/10kV Reeling Cable?

The (N)TSCGEWÖU cable designation is not a casual product name — it is a highly standardized engineering specification that contains critical…

Discover More

7 Min Read

In port machinery, material handling equipment, stacker-reclaimers, festoon systems, and industrial cranes operating at speeds up to 240 meters per minute, trailing cables experience a distinctive and punishing stress pattern called reverse S-bending. The cable is not simply bent in one direction — it repeatedly curves left, then right, then left again, following the path of the equipment as it traverses an S-shaped trajectory or as cable spools alternately bend the cable in opposite directions during reeling and unreeling cycles. This reverse bending motion is fundamentally different from the static or single-direction bending challenges faced by underground mining cables or fixed installations. The cable experiences rapid alternation between tensile and compressive stress on its individual conductors, combined with torsional (twisting) forces that attempt to unwind the cable's spiral structure. For a standard cable, this combination of stresses creates a perfect recipe for premature fatigue failure, conductor breakage, and insulation degradation.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

S-Bend Fatigue: Why (N)TSKCGEWÖU Lasts Longer in High-Speed Applications

In port machinery, material handling equipment, stacker-reclaimers, festoon systems, and industrial cranes operating at speeds up to 240…

Discover More

19 Min Read

When a reeling cable passes over a sheave, pulley, or diverter roller during normal operation, it undergoes mechanical bending that imposes significant stress on its internal conductors and insulation layers. Unlike a cable running in a straight line, where tension is distributed relatively evenly, a cable wrapped around a curved surface experiences localized compression and tension that can cause permanent deformation, insulation cracking, and conductor fatigue within surprisingly short timeframes if the geometry is not carefully controlled.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Change of Direction: Managing Bending Stress in Reeling Cables

When a reeling cable passes over a sheave, pulley, or diverter roller during normal operation, it undergoes mechanical bending that imposes…

Discover More

20 Min Read

NSHTÖU cables, this limit is 15 newtons per square millimeter. This specification is not arbitrary—it is determined through extensive materials testing and represents the maximum sustained tensile stress that the copper conductors and the surrounding insulation can endure without permanent plastic deformation or rupture. When a cable is subjected to tension exceeding this limit, the copper conductors begin to yield, permanently elongating and losing mechanical strength. The insulation, which is bonded to the conductors, separates from them as the conductors stretch. The result is a cable that may appear to function electrically but is mechanically compromised and unsafe for continued operation.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Cable Tension Formula: Setting Motor Torque on Cavotec Reels for NSHTÖU Cables

NSHTÖU cables, this limit is 15 newtons per square millimeter. This specification is not arbitrary—it is determined through extensive…

Discover More

10 Min Read

Derating is one of the most important — and most frequently misunderstood — concepts in electrical cable engineering. Many engineers view derating as an administrative requirement imposed by standards, something to be looked up in a table and applied mechanically. In reality, derating exists because of a fundamental physical law: the rate at which a cable can dissipate heat is directly proportional to the surface area exposed to the surrounding air or cooling medium, and inversely proportional to the thermal resistance of the insulating materials surrounding the conductors.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Derating Factors: Calculating Ampacity for Multi-Layer Type 441 Cables

Derating is one of the most important — and most frequently misunderstood — concepts in electrical cable engineering. Many engineers view…

Discover More

26 Min Read

The corkscrew effect, also known as birdcaging or helical twist deformation, represents one of the most catastrophic failure modes in medium-voltage reeling cables. It occurs when a cable develops a permanent spiral distortion that resembles the twisted form of a corkscrew or the expanded form of a wire cage — hence the colorful industrial terminology. Unlike simple insulation cracking or conductor breakage, which may occur at a localized point, corkscrew deformation is a systemic problem that compromises the cable's structural integrity across its entire length or in extended sections. To understand what causes this failure, we must first recognize that a cable is not a monolithic object but rather a carefully engineered composite structure with multiple layers of conductors, insulation, and sheathing, all held in precise geometric alignment through precise manufacturing. When the cable is wound onto a reel and subjected to mechanical stress, that geometric alignment can be disrupted. The conductor strands, which are wound in a helical pattern, can slip out of position. The insulation layer, which must flex repeatedly without tearing, can separate from the conductors it insulates. The outer sheath, which protects everything inside, can develop stress cracks that accelerate moisture ingress and corrosion. The corkscrew effect amplifies all of these problems simultaneously.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Corkscrew Effect: Top 3 Installation Mistakes Causing (N)TSCGEWÖU Cable Failure

The corkscrew effect, also known as birdcaging or helical twist deformation, represents one of the most catastrophic failure modes in…

Discover More

17 Min Read

Spring-driven reels represent a mechanical cable management system where a large coiled spring provides the retracting force that automatically winds electrical cable back onto a drum after equipment has been operated or material handlers have moved. Unlike powered motor-driven reels (which can maintain consistent tension), spring reels operate under variable mechanical stress — the tension changes as the spring unwinds during deployment and rewinds during retraction. This mechanical reality creates a unique set of demands on the power cable itself, demands that generic multipurpose cables may not fully satisfy. The question of whether to use standard H07RN-F cable (a versatile, general-purpose heavy-duty rubber cable rated for 450/750 V applications) or to invest in NSHTÖU (a specialized reel drum cable engineered specifically for winding and unwinding cycles) is one that electrical engineers and procurement teams encounter regularly. The answer depends on understanding not just the electrical characteristics of each cable type, but also their mechanical behavior during coiling, their resistance to torsional stress, and their long-term fatigue durability under the specific application's duty cycle.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Spring-Driven Reels: Sizing Generic H07RN-F vs. NSHTÖU for Low-Tension Applications

Spring-driven reels represent a mechanical cable management system where a large coiled spring provides the retracting force that…

Discover More

28 Min Read

Modern industrial lifting and material handling equipment operates under increasingly stringent design constraints. Gantry cranes in container yards must span wider distances with reduced structural weight. Ship-to-shore (STS) cranes must achieve higher transfer speeds without exceeding motor power budgets. Mining draglines must extend to greater heights while maintaining cable reeling capacity within physically constrained drum widths. In each of these scenarios, the reeling cable becomes a critical design bottleneck. The cable must simultaneously deliver high electrical current (high ampacity), fit within limited spatial envelopes (constrained outer diameter), maintain mechanical strength for decades of cyclic loading, and remain cost-competitive against alternative designs. These competing requirements have historically forced engineers into uncomfortable compromises: oversizing conductors to achieve required ampacity while accepting larger outer diameters and additional weight, or accepting reduced ampacity and undersizing equipment performance. XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated cable technology breaks this compromise by fundamentally altering the physics of electrical insulation, enabling smaller outer diameters and higher ampacity at equivalent mechanical performance levels. Understanding when this technology delivers genuine advantage versus when traditional elastomeric designs remain optimal requires careful analysis of the underlying physics and realistic comparison of total system performance.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

(N)GRXGöu vs. NSHTÖU: When to Use XLPE-Insulated Reeling Cables Over Standard EPR Insulation for Higher Ampacity

Modern industrial lifting and material handling equipment operates under increasingly stringent design constraints. Gantry cranes in container…

Discover More

24 Min Read

Slag transfer cars represent one of the most thermally demanding applications in modern industrial operations. In an integrated steel mill, molten slag—a byproduct of iron ore reduction and steel refining processes—emerges from the blast furnace or electric arc furnace at temperatures approaching 1,400 to 1,600°C. This extremely hot slag must be transported from the furnace area to cooling and processing areas, sometimes over distances of 50 to 200 meters. The slag pots or ladles are suspended from overhead cranes and transferred between station points via specialized transfer cars, which are essentially motorized flatbed vehicles that roll on rails beneath the suspended load. The reeling cable that powers the electromagnetic magnet holding the slag pot, or that supplies power to the transfer car's motor and control systems, is exposed to radiant heat from the slag pot itself, heated air rising from the slag, and ambient air that may be heated to 80 to 100°C by the nearby furnace operations. The cable must operate continuously—sometimes 18 to 24 hours per day—in this thermal environment without failure, while simultaneously handling the mechanical stresses of starting and stopping a 100+ ton load, acceleration forces, and repeated coiling and uncoiling on the transfer car's reel system. 渣罐转运设备代表现代工业运营中最具热挑战性的应用之一。在综合钢厂中，熔融渣（铁矿石还原和钢精炼工艺的副产品）从高炉或电弧炉产生的温度接近1,400至1,600°C。

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Slag Transfer Cars: Heat-Resistant Reeling Cables (Up to 120°C) for Steel Mill Transfer Operations

Slag transfer cars represent one of the most thermally demanding applications in modern industrial operations. In an integrated steel mill,…

Discover More

26 Min Read

Scrap metal recycling yards represent one of the most mechanically punishing environments for industrial electrical cables. Unlike controlled manufacturing facilities or even mining operations where equipment operates within defined parameters and spaces, scrap yards combine continuous mechanical abuse, unpredictable sharp debris, contamination with oils and cutting fluids, and the psychological pressure of near-zero downtime expectations. An electromagnet suspended from a reeling cable must lift payloads of 20 to 40 metric tons repeatedly throughout the day, while the cable itself is dragged across jagged metal shards, torn aluminum siding, concrete floors embedded with sharp steel fragments, and rusted edge conditions that would immediately puncture or notch a conventional rubber sheath. When a notch forms on a neoprene (CR) cable—which happens within weeks in aggressive scrap environments—the material's inherent brittleness means that continued mechanical flexing and abrasion at that point of weakness leads to catastrophic tearing and complete cable failure. Polyurethane (PUR) cables like LAPP ÖLFLEX® CRANE PUR were specifically engineered to resist this exact failure mode through fundamentally different material physics.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

LAPP ÖLFLEX® CRANE PUR vs. Neoprene (CR): Is Polyurethane Really Superior for Scrap Yard Lifting Magnet Cables?

Scrap metal recycling yards represent one of the most mechanically punishing environments for industrial electrical cables. Unlike controlled…

Discover More

22 Min Read

$A bucket wheel excavator is a remarkable piece of mining equipment: a massive rotating wheel fitted with buckets that continuously scoops material from a mining face, lifts it high into the air, and deposits it onto a conveyor system. The electrical cables that power such equipment face challenges that are fundamentally different from the cables used in stationary equipment or even in traditional draglines and shovels. As the main bucket wheel rotates continuously — sometimes for 12 to 20 hours per day — the flexible power cables that deliver electricity to drive motors must rotate with the wheel while simultaneously being wound and unwound through the cable reel system that connects the mobile equipment to the fixed power supply. This simultaneous rotation and reeling creates torsional stress — twisting force — that attempts to spiral the cable around its own axis. A standard single-sheath cable, designed primarily to withstand tension and bending, will gradually degrade under this torsional loading, with internal conductors ultimately fracturing and failing. A properly designed double-sheath cable with an anti-torsion braid can withstand decades of this continuous torsional punishment without degradation. Understanding why this distinction matters is the key to extending cable life and preventing expensive equipment failures.$

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

(N)TSKCGEWÖU Double-Sheath Design: Why Anti-Torsion Braid is Critical for Bucket Wheel Excavators

A bucket wheel excavator is a remarkable piece of mining equipment: a massive rotating wheel fitted with buckets that continuously scoops…

Discover More

26 Min Read

Deep underground mining operations depend on sophisticated systems for moving workers, equipment, and materials between the surface and mining zones that may be hundreds of meters below ground level. One of the most critical systems in these operations is the basket or cage suspension system that safely lowers and raises workers and cargo through vertical mine shafts. These systems rely on flexible (N)SHTÖU cables to deliver electrical power for lighting, ventilation, and communication equipment in the basket, while the mechanical support for the basket itself is provided by separate wire ropes or cables. The electrical cables must be suspended alongside the main support ropes, and this suspension relies on devices called mesh grips — specialized clamping devices that gently but firmly grip the cable without damaging its insulation or internal conductors.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

(N)SHTÖU (Vertical): Selecting the Right Mesh Grip Size for Mine Shaft Basket Cables

Deep underground mining operations depend on sophisticated systems for moving workers, equipment, and materials between the surface and mining…

Discover More

12 Min Read

The critical difference between NSHTÖU-J and NSHTÖU-O is whether this safety pathway is provided within the cable itself. Understanding this distinction is not merely an academic exercise in cable naming conventions — it is a matter of worker safety that requires proper engineering knowledge to implement correctly.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

NSHTÖU-O vs. NSHTÖU-J: The Green/Yellow Earth Conductor in Mining Hoists

The critical difference between NSHTÖU-J and NSHTÖU-O is whether this safety pathway is provided within the cable itself. Understanding this…

Discover More

28 Min Read

When electrical engineers and equipment operators discuss the capacity of a dragline or shovel reeling cable, they often refer to a specification that seems disconnected from the typical electrical characteristics — the maximum permissible tensile load, expressed in units of pounds per thousand circular mills (lbs/mcm). This specification is fundamentally different from ampacity (which measures the cable's ability to safely carry electrical current) or voltage rating (which specifies the insulation quality). Instead, tensile load capacity describes the maximum mechanical force that the cable can withstand before the metallic conductors themselves begin to yield, stretch, or break. For a reeling cable used on heavy dragline or shovel equipment, this mechanical specification is often more critical to equipment safety and service life than the electrical specifications, because the cable is typically exposed to enormous pulling forces that can exceed the weight of the equipment being supported.

Technical Department

on26/02/2026

Type SHD-GC (Reeling): Maximum Permissible Tensile Load for Heavy-Duty Dragline Cable Reels

When electrical engineers and equipment operators discuss the capacity of a dragline or shovel reeling cable, they often refer to a…

Discover More

AS/NZS 1802 - Reeling cables for underground mining

30 Min Read

$A stacker-reclaimer at a Newcastle coal export facility began experiencing intermittent loss of load cell signals, causing the control system to alarm and sometimes force the equipment into manual operation. Initial inspection found no obvious cable damage, and preliminary multimeter continuity tests showed the pilot conductors intact. However, when the equipment was operated at full speed during testing, the pilot conductor resistance measurement jumped from approximately 8 ohms to 45 ohms, demonstrating clear intermittency. A TDR test located the fault at approximately 450 meters along a 600-meter cable run. Detailed microscopic analysis of a cable section removed from the fault location revealed fatigue-induced microfractures in multiple copper strands within the pilot core. The root cause was identified as excessive vibration from poorly lubricated reeling drum bearings. The cable was successfully spliced at the fault location using a mid-cable connector kit, and bearing maintenance was performed to address the underlying vibration problem. The repaired cable has since operated successfully for over three years without additional pilot core failures.$

Technical Department

on26/02/2026