WCA March 2020

Technology news

Weighing in on electrical harnesses

WIRE harness or cable assembly: while the terms are used interchangeably by many, there are fundamental differences between the two. Since individual cables are already protected by their own exterior sheaths, a wire harness presents a simple exterior sheath to bundle the wires and protect them from their environment. A cable assembly, however, provides a more heavy-duty material that not only keeps cable organised in the same way as a wire harness but also shields the bundle from specific environmental factors such as heat, friction, moisture and compression. Which of the two approaches a manufacturer opts for will depend on the operating environment. In either instance, the organised set of wires, terminals and connectors relay information and electric power and therefore play a critical role in connecting key components of end products, such as within cars or washing machines. Each electrical harness or cable assembly bundle must demonstrate two specific qualities: geometrically, they must fit into a specific space – in some cases also serving a larger network of electrical wiring; and electrically, they must protect the cables from damage and adhere to the highest safety levels and standards for the industry in question. Creating the perfect electrical harness or cable assembly begins with a robust design and manufacture of cable and wire − a process that is supported by Cimteq’s suite of software products. CableBuilder’s iterative approach to cable design allows engineers to model variations of the end product before committing to the cost of production. Similarly, the cost of production can be reduced by spotting non-compliance issues early through Cimteq’s cable manufacturing system CableMES. Testing times for offshore cables High-voltage engineering specialist EDS HV Group has completed a cable testing campaign for Vattenfall at Horns Rev 1, after the wind farm experienced network issues. For the first time for the offshore wind industry, EDS used damped AC testing (DAC) to collect partial discharge (PD) and tanδ data to clarify the condition of the array cables and subject the entire array system to a high-voltage withstand test. Using damped AC to test all array cables from one single point on the offshore platform avoided multiple transfers of equipment and personnel. EDS HV Group www.edshv.com

Investing in software designed with the complexities of cable and wire in mind − not just as products in their own right, but also how they perform as an electrical harness or cable assembly − allows cable manufacturers to develop an end product that is bespoke to client requirements. Cimteq Ltd www.cimteq.com ❍ Cimteq produces a suite of software products for cable manufacturers

Jiangsu Qunye Electrical Co., Ltd. is a specialized spools manufacturer. We have highlevel workshops and offices, first class equipment lines and complete inspection facilities, advanced management and quality control systems to fulfill all customers’

requirements. We manufacture all kinds of metal and plastic spools and gain a good market share both at home and abroad.

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Wire & Cable ASIA – March/April 2020