wiredInUSA June 2019

Americaˊs online magazine for wire and cable

Issue No. 96 - June 2019

www.wiredInUSA.com

America’s online magazine for wire and cable

wiredIn USA

Coal plant’s change of use Page 9

Opposition for river route. Page 10

Order for armoring. Page 27

New cable plant in Poland. Page 33

Quick Reliable Service Always there to help

www.zumbach.com • sales@zumbach.ch

EDITOR

It is said that green is good, and that’s bad news for coal – especially in New York.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted regulations that require all power plants to meet strict emissions limits, a move which is likely to see the end of coal-fired power plants by 2020. The DEC is also working on proposed regulations that would restrict emissions from power plants meeting peak demand. This would see a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. Turn to page 22 for the full story. As if to highlight the global reach of our industry, South Korea’s LS Cable and System has held a completion ceremony for its new cable production plant in Dzierzoniow, Poland. The new factory is to produce optical communications cables and parts for electric vehicles. The company now has a total of 19 business operations at home and abroad, with nine of them based overseas, including in Vietnam, China and the USA. See page 33.

David Bell Editor

3

wiredInUSA - June 2019

June 2019 Issue No.96 CONTENTS

06 PAGE

Show Diary 2019

09 PAGE

Making the News Industry news from the USA

26 PAGE

Europe news The latest news from Europe

32 PAGE

Asia & Africa News The latest news from Asia & Africa

38 PAGE

Products, Machines & Technology The latest news from machine industries

wiredInUSA - June 2019

4

wiredIn USA

© 2019 Intras Limited UK ISSN 2046 - 9497 Publishers of EuroWire and Wire & Cable ASIA magazines

INTRAS OFFICES Europe: 46 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 4HY, UK

Tel: +44 1926 334137 Fax: +44 1926 314755

Email: read@wiredinusa.com Website: www.wiredinusa.com

USA: Danbury Corporate Center, 107 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 06811, USA Tel: +1 203 794 0444 Email: doug@intras.co.uk

News Editor David Bell david@wiredinusa.com

Features Editor (USA and Europe) Gill Watson Publisher Caroline Sullens

Sales & Marketing (International) Sales Director Jason Smith jason@wiredinusa.com +44 1926 834 684 Accounts Manager Karen Low karen@intras.co.uk

5

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Diary Shows & Events 2019

jUNE 11-12 June 2019

june 13-15 June 2019 Guangzhou Guangzhou, China www.julang.com.cn

CRU Wire & Cable Conference 2019

Brussels, Belgium www.wireandcableconference.com

june 18-20 June 2019 wire Russia Moscow, Russia www.wire-russia.com

September 18-20 September 2019 wire Southeast Asia Bangkok, Thailand www.wire-southeastasia.com October 1-3 October 2019 wire South America São Paulo, Brazil www.wire-south-america.com

september 29 September - 2 October 2019 IWCS 2019 Cable & Connectivity Symposium Charlotte, North Carolina, USA www.iwcs.org

For more info visit: www.wiredinusa.com/showinfo.php

wiredInUSA - June 2019

6

Coal plant’s change of use M A K I N G T H E NEWS

Developer spend $650 million to convert the former Brayton Point coal power station, Massachusetts, into an offshore wind platform. Anbaric is expected tobuilda1,200MW HVDC converter and 400MW of onsite battery storage in order to convert and store electricity generated by offshore wind turbines. The site will also house manufacturing and storage space for large turbine components. The HVDC component is estimated to cost $250 million and the planned storage would cost $400 million. Commercial Development Co (CDC) rebranded the former power station into the Brayton Point Commerce Center in 2018. CDC expects the deep water port to help with offshore wind development, serving as a symbol of the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Anbaric will

TheUnitedStates isbadly inneedofport infrastructure to support offshore wind deployment. Unlike Europe, whose offshore wind development boomed in part through the use of existing offshore oil drilling infrastructure, the states currently leading in US offshore wind never allowed offshore oil drilling, so lack ports capable of supporting the large-scale manufacturing activities required. Anbaric’s construction is expected to begin in 2021, assuming the company wins a bid for the 2019 Massachusetts offshore wind request for power. Edward Krapels, Anbaric’s CEO, believes that high-capacity transmission infrastructure and the coupled battery storage would help maximize offshore wind’s potential; he said: “An HVDC substation is an important piece not only for Brayton Point Commerce Center, but also Massachusetts’ status as a leader in offshore wind.”

9

wiredInUSA - June 2019

North Bergen Liberty Power Plant Image: Liberty Generating

Opposition for river route

The Sierra Club (a US environmental organization) is challenging North Bergen Liberty Generating’s attempt to amend the New York Public Service Commission’s 2003 approval for a transmission cable across the Hudson River. The amendment would authorize construction of two new submarine cables to enable the company to sell electricity from its proposed 1,200MW New Jersey Meadowlands gas-fired plant into the New York electricity markets. “We are opposing the Hudson power line because it is for the North Bergen power plant. Fossil fuel projects will be bad for the environment and the ratepayer. With this proposal, the company makes the money, New York gets energy they don’t need, and New Jersey gets stuck with the pollution, climate and health impacts,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We

will fight, and keep on fighting, natural gas infrastructure because, if we can stop this power line, we can stop the Meadowlands power plant.” If successful in stopping the new transmission lines, environmental groups could curb a significant market for the proposed gas plant and reduce its impact on the environment and public health. In September, the New York Department of Public Service (DPS) denied a request for an Article VII waiver for Meadowlands power plant. In August, New York also rejected Title V permits for the Wawayanda natural gas plant. “New York is also trying to build 2,400MW of offshore wind; more natural gas would undermine those efforts, and New Jersey’s efforts at 3,500MW offshore wind,” added Tittel.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

10

Cable arrives in Chile

centers and submarine cables to serve its users and Google Cloud customers.

Google and SubCom have completed the installation of the Curie submarine cable, uniting Chile and California through Google’s data infrastructure. Curie’s development was announced a little over a year ago as part of Google’s commitment to build a higher-performing public cloud. Between 2016 and 2018 the company invested $47 billion in data

Although this is the 13 th submarine cable that Google has funded, the implementation of Curie makes Google the first technological company that, while not specialized in telecommunications, has invested in the development of a totally private international submarine cable.

Clinton High Frequency Spark Tester

NEW!

Auto calibration with Clinton STCAL system Pinhole and bare wire di erentiation Detachable display can be located 25’ away Flexible front panel password security Optional Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS Modbus TCP and Analog communications Easy connection to most PLCs Voltage Watchdog

HF-15B Spark Tester

(860) 669-7548 www.clintoninstrument.com

When the result matters…

®

For Drawing, Compacting & Tube Ø1.2mm to Ø120.0mm +

Quality UP. Costs DOWN. Nano-die® Performs: very low friction & extreme hardness better Copper and Aluminium utilization +0 tolerance for full die life better surface quality No die polishing/no re-cutting required

Applications include compacting & stranding; wire & tube drawing; rod breakdown. Materials include aluminium & alloys, copper, brass, welding alloys, low carbon & stainless steel. Trial and take advantage of the benefits of Nano-Die® from Nano-Diamond America. (Nano-Die® is a registered trademark. Product distribution is exclusive through select NDA Distributorships) Nano-Diamond America, Inc. 2025 Woodbrook Court, Tel: +1 (434) 220-0435 visit www.nano-die.com/press Charlottesville, VA 22901 Fax: +1 (804) 980-7770 or e-mail admin@nano-die.com

Testing and certification

UL, the independent third-party testing laboratory, has expanded its testing and certification services for photovoltaic (PV) cables to include EN 50618 and IEC 62930. Since their introduction in 2014 and 2017 respectively, EN 50618 and IEC 62930 have become accepted in Europe and around the world for the certification of PV cables for the solar industry. EN 50618 applies to flexible (class 5 – EN 60228) halogen-free cables, from 1.5mm² to

The Beta LaserMike brand has been faithfully serving the wire and cable industry for over 50 years and we have thousands of satisfied customers that rely on our measurement systems every day to improve quality, increase productivity and deliver manufacturing savings. We are committed to your success. Precision Measurement & Control Solutions Cable characteristics can be tested using either targeted testing or under a full test program, according to the latest standards or technical specifications. A UL test report is provided that includes all results data. 240mm², whereas the new IEC 62930 has a larger scope that covers both stranded (from 16mm²) and flexible stranded (from 1.5mm²) cables up to 400mm², both halogen-free cables and those that may contain halogens.

In-Process Gauging Off-Line Inspection Quality Cable Testing

Get more from Beta LaserMike.

See us at Wire Southeast Asia, Booth H35

Making Light Work

www.betalasermike.com

Copper concerns

Sarah Maryssael, Tesla’s global supply manager for battery metals, told a mining industry meeting in Washington DC that the company foresees a shortage of several minerals vital to electric vehicle production. A Tesla spokesperson said Maryssael’s comments were industry- specific, and referred to long-term supply challenges that might occur. Tesla’s particular concerns are securing enough nickel, copper and lithium for its future needs. The company is working

to lower the amount of cobalt used in its batteries because of the controversy surrounding cobalt mining practices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Electric cars use twice as much copper as conventional cars, but other industries are also driving up copper demand. Smart home systems such as Alphabet’s Nest thermostat and Amazon’s Alexa personal assistant will, estimates Reuters, consume around 1.5 million tons of copper by 2030, compared to just 38,000 tons today.

Superconductor passes the test

India’s Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) has selected Superconductor Technologies’ Conductus ® wire for use in its Tokamak fusion development. (Tokamaks are machines for controlling thermonuclear fusion.) “We are pleased our Conductus wire was selected by IPR for development of its future Tokamak fusion device,” said Jeff Quiram, STI’s president and CEO. “IPR is well-respected and experienced in the world of superconductor magnet

development for plasma and Tokamak applications. IPR’s selection process included rigorous analysis of many leading suppliers, with a focus on wire performance, the company’s experience in superconductivity and local support. Conductus wire’s performance was successfully tested by IPR to ensure it met the required specifications.”

DeWAL PTFE Films and Tapes New solutions for challenging applications

DeWAL designs and manufactures a broad assortment of skived, unsintered and low density PTFE films and tapes. Our specialty laminates combine PTFE with porous substrates and films to withstand abrasion, harsh chemicals, hostile environments and irregular surfaces. For cost-effective film and tape solutions for masking, insulating, shielding, conducting and coating, call DeWAL today.

15 Ray Trainor Drive Narragansett, RI 02882

www.dewal.com usa1@rogerscorporation.com 800-366-8356 (International: 001-401-789-9736)

For details and specs, go to www.dewal.com.

15

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Facility investment

Nucor Corporation has announced a capital investment to add vacuum degassing to the engineered bar capabilities at its bar mill in Darlington, South Carolina, enabling the mill to produce engineered bar products that meet some of the most stringent quality specifications in the industry.

our existing bar mills that primarily produce engineered bar products in Norfolk, Nebraska; Memphis, Tennessee; and Wallingford, Connecticut,” said John Ferriola, chairman, CEO and president of Nucor Corporation. Nucor Steel South Carolina was the first steel mill built by Nucor, producing merchant bar, wire rod, special bar quality and cold headed quality bar. The facility will hold an event in June to celebrate its 50 th anniversary.

The degassing system is expected to begin operations in late 2020.

“This strategic investment complements

ECC offers a broad portfolio of customized elastomeric or polyolefin based compounds utilized for medium/high voltage as well as certain low voltage flame retardant applications including: • EPR and Polyolefin Compounds • Elastomeric, Crosslinkable, and Thermoplastic Compounds • Flame Retardant and Halogen Free Compounds • Moisture Crosslinkabe Compounds • Specialty/Custom/FR Masterbatches • Insulation, Jacketing, and Bedding Compounds • ISO 9001 certified manufacturing process ensures quality, efficiency and ultimately customer satisfaction. • Non-carbon black product lines produce super-clean, elastomeric high voltage cable compounds. • Personalized customer service and support to customers worldwide. Wire & Cable Customized Compounds

108 Rado Drive, Naugatuck, CT 06770 USA Tel: +1 203-723-2590 www.ElectricCableCompounds.com

wiredInUSA - June 2019

16

Encore Wire Corporation announced its results for the first quarter of 2019, ended 31 st March 2019. Net sales for the quarter were $314.7 million compared to $291.4 million for the first quarter of 2018. Copper unit volume, measured in pounds of copper contained in the wire sold, increased 13.5 percent and the average selling price of wire per copper pound sold decreased 5.9 percent in the first quarter of 2019, against the first quarter of 2018. Net income for the quarter increased 18.1 percent to $13.4 million versus $11.4 million in the first quarter of 2018. Commenting on the results, Daniel L Jones, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Encore Wire Corporation, said: “In aluminum wire, which represented 7.8 percent of our net sales in the first quarter of 2019, we continue to enforce our rights under the US trade remedy laws. [In April] the US commerce department imposed preliminary countervailing duties on imports of aluminum wire from China at rates ranging from 11.57 to 164.16 percent. The final results of the US Government’s ongoing anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations are not expected until the end of the year. “The US economy appears strong, as is construction activity. Based on discussions with our distributor customers and their contractor customers, we believe there is a good outlook for construction projects for the next year.”

First quarter review

wiredInUSA - June 2019

18

Mid Continent Steel and Wire has been granted most of its requested exceptions to the 25 percent trade tariffs imposed on steel wire from Mexico. The Missouri-based nail manufacturer, owned by Mexico-based Deacero, is the largest nail maker in the US. Prior to the imposition of the tariffs by the US Department of Commerce (DoC) on 1 st June 2018 the company had 500 employees, but reduced the workforce to less than 300 when it lost 60 percent of its business. With the majority of the requested exemptions approved, the company is now recalling some 50 employees. Exemptions from section 232 tariffs are rarely approved. ”This is a great day for our workers, our customers, for southeast Missouri, and for US manufacturing,” said operations general manager Chris Pratt. While Mid Continent can increase nail production, the company notes that the relief is effective for only one year, so it will need to seek further exemptions. Chris Pratt said the company had cut about 60 temporary jobs and over 140 other workers left over concerns about job security and were not replaced.

Tariff successes

wiredInUSA - June 2019

20

Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

Coal phase-out

The of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted regulations that require all power plants to meet strict emissions limits, a move expected to phase out the state’s remaining coal-fired power plants by 2020. The DEC is also working on proposed regulations that would restrict NOx emissions from power plants meeting peak demand. In combination the rules would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030. New York only has two remaining coal plants: the Somerset generating station near Barker, and the Cayuga station in the Finger Lakes. New York Department

Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged in December to bring the state to 100 percent clean energy, including nuclear, by 2040. According to Cuomo’s website, New York is the “first in nation” to phase out coal plants through regulation. Environmental advocates celebrated the state’s new regulations. Lisa Dix, a senior representative for the environmental group Sierra Club, said in a statement that New York “is leading the nation by finalizing the first-of-its-kind regulation. Limiting the most polluting power plants is key to making sure New York hits our goal.”

wiredInUSA - June 2019

22

Photo by Shahadat Shemul on Unsplash

Fiber spread

Horizon, an Ohio-based regional fiber broadband company, has acquired a fiber network in downtown Indianapolis, furthering the company’s aim to become the leading mid-west fiber optic broadband provider. The agreement includes the addition of over 1,000 fiber miles to Horizon’s already extensive network. “We are excited to be expanding our territory and look forward to introducing our extremely reliable fiber services to Indianapolis,” said Bill McKell, Horizon CEO. “This opportunity is the perfect next step, and a great location for Horizon’s continued growth as the region’s premier broadband partner.”

market launch. The Indianapolis conduit and fiber purchase ties into Horizon’s current Indiana facilities and solidifies further growth in the region. Around 20 multi-tenant buildings and data centers will have immediate access to Horizon’s broadband network using existing conduit connections. Ted Mocarski, senior partner at Novacap and chairman of Horizon, added: “This acquisition is part of our strategy to bring high quality connectivity to businesses across the mid-west and we could not be happier with the execution of the deal. The company’s shareholder group enabled the financing to quickly close this opportunity.”

The acquisition follows the April announcement of the Columbus, Ohio,

The acquisition was expected to close within 30 days.

23

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Photo by Aleksandr Eremin on Unsplash

Summer forecast

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a fresh warning that continued “above-normal” growth in electricity demand could require it to enter Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) status to maintain system reliability this summer. As it released its final Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) for the upcoming summer season (June to September), a preliminary assessment for fall, and an updated capacity, demand and reserves (CDR) report, the Texas grid operator said demand this summer could peak at 74,853MW — around 1,300MW higher than the all-time peak demand record set last July. ERCOT said the updated CDR estimates higher planning reserve margins between 2020 and 2023: “Primarily due to an

increased number of potential wind and solar projects that are currently in the interconnection queue and eligible to be included in the CDR.” Since the December 2018 CDR, approximately 733MW of installed wind and solar capacity has been approved by ERCOT for commercial operation, with summer peak capacity contributions of 333MW. Another 22distributedgeneration solar units totaling 143MW were also added to the report (though they have a combined capacity contribution of 106MW). Significantly, the new CDR report also includes 517MW of battery storage, which became newly eligible for inclusion by 2023.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

24

Image: Duke Energy

Regulators approve microgrid project

Madison County will see a new microgrid installation after the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) approved Duke Energy’s latest renewable energy project. The company will proceed with a solar and battery-powered microgrid system in Hot Springs, to improve electric reliability, provide services to the overall electric system and serve as a backup power supply to the town. “Duke Energy’s research work on microgrids has led to a large-scale effort that will better serve... these customers in a remote area [and] also help us gain experience from this pilot project to better serve all customers with additional

distributed energy and energy storage technologies,” said Dr Zak Kuznar, Duke Energy’s managing director of microgrid and energy storage development. The Hot Springs microgrid will consist of a 2MW AC solar facility with a 4MW lithium-based battery storage facility. The microgrid is expected to provide energy and additional bulk system benefits for all customers, including frequency and voltage regulation, and increasing capacity during system peaks.

The project should be operational in early 2020.

25

wiredInUSA - June 2019

EUROPE NEWS

wiredInUSA - June 2019

26

ArmourLock SA-4 strip armouring system

Order for armoring

Bartell Machinery Systems has received an order from wire and cable manufacturer Viakable SA, for Bartell’s ArmourLock SA-4 strip armoring system. ArmourLock SA-4 is the latest strip armoring system from Bartell, incorporating advanced technologies for an expanded diameter capability, improved strip tension control, and improved operator ergonomics. The ArmourLock system allows manufacturers to produce the high quality armored cable with production efficiency and flexibility.

“We are proud that a world class manufacturer such as Viakable has selected the ArmourLock system,” said Tim Murphy, director of wire and cable sales. “After viewing the system in operation, we were impressed with the system’s design, capability and performance. The ArmourLock is a key addition to our capability and a critical component in supporting our future growth,” commented Alfonso Jimenez, engineering manager for Viakable.

27

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Cable protection offshore

Rural connection project

Romania’s Ministry of Communications and Information Society has announced plans to connect 150,000 households in 698 isolated areas to the country’s fiber optic network, enabling operators to offer high speed internet, television and telephony services to consumers and businesses. Romania’s financial newspaper, Ziarul Financiar , reported that the $100.4 million three-year “Next Generation Networks” project will be funded by the EU. A total of 18 financing contracts have already been signed, while a further six contracts are in the pipeline and three others will be signed in the near future. Alexandru Petrescu also revealed that he has released the use of a section of the Ro-Net network in 110 localities in the Moldavia region. Ro- Net, a major communications infrastructure network built by Telekom Romania to connect isolated areas, has been subject to a series of delays since its launch in 2014. Less than 40 percent of rural areas in Romania are currently covered by fiber optic networks. Romania’s communications minister, Alexandru Petrescu Communications minister

Distributed buoyancy modules. Image: Trelleborg

Trelleborg will provide cable protection for the 25MW WindFloat Atlantic project off the coast of Portugal. The contract, with JDR Cable Systems, is for the design, manufacture and delivery of dynamic cable protection products, including distributed buoyancy modules (DBM). JDR Renewables will supply the 66kV inter-array cables for the project. Developer WindPlus is installing the floating wind farm, which will be situated in water depths of 100m off the coast of Viana do Castelo. Trelleborg’s UK offshore operation supplied cableprotectionproducts for JDR’sWindFloat 1 prototype in 2011. Trelleborg’s DBMs and bend limitation products are designed to secure, guide and protect power cables from excessive movement and bending that can cause fatigue damage. In floating production environments, subsea electrical power cables are used to inter- connect floating structures on offshore wind farms and run between the substation and the shore. The WindFloat platform is connected to the seabed by a catenary mooring system, so avoiding the offshore operations associated with installing traditional fixed structures and reducing potential impact on the environment.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

28

Oilfield power contract

Export cable contract

Image: Nexans

Image: Boskalis

Equinor’s Vigdis oil field, in the North Sea, is to have a new all-electric actuated multi- phase subsea boosting station powered by a Nexans power umbilical. Vigdis produces oil through the Snorre field, and OneSubsea has the contract to provide a boosting station that will be connected to the pipeline to enhance the capacity between Vigdis and Snorre A. It is expected that the boosting station will increase the recovery rate from Vigdis from the current 45 percent to 54 percent, adding around 11 million extra barrels of oil at a highly competitive price. umbilical combines electric power, control and communications functions in a single cable cross-section. The station will be provided with a high voltage supply from the Snorre B platform, via the Nexans umbilical. The complete umbilical system will be developed, manufactured and tested at Nexans’ Norway plant in Halden, with loadout anticipated for spring 2020, ready for installation in summer 2020. The Nexans power

Royal Boskalis Westminster NV (Boskalis) has been given the offshore export cable installation contract for the Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm. The contract was awarded by Ørsted Wind Power A/S and consists of three export cable circuits with a total length of around 380km. The project scope includes the preparation of the offshore export cable route (geophysical survey, boulder clearance and seabed leveling through dredging), and the installation and protection of the cables. The three 130km export cables will connect the offshore substation to the onshore substation with a 300m-long horizontal directional drilling, crossing the sea defense of Horseshoe Point, UK. The project is expected to commence later this year, with planned completion in late 2021. Boskalis will use a range of its in-house specialist services and assets, including a trailing suction hopper dredger, a geophysical survey vessel and multiple cable-laying vessels. Furthermore, Boskalis has invested in a new multi-mode plow for both the pre-lay trenching and backfilling. The plow can withstand 200 tons continuous pull, is capable of trenching at various depths and in a wide range of soil circumstances, and was designed to minimize environmental impact.

29

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Securing offshore assets

Bulgarian expansion

Image: Prysmian Group

MD Elektronik groundbreaking ceremony

Prysmian Group has a contract from Vineyard Wind, LLC to provide the submarine power cable system between the mainland power grid and the Vineyard Wind 800MW project off the coast of Massachusetts. With the notice to proceed expected at the end of 2019, Prysmian will be responsible for the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of an HVAC cable system composed of two 220kV three-core cables with extruded XLPE insulation. The project requires a total of 134km of power cables. The cables will be produced by Prysmian facilities in Pikkala (Finland) and Arco Felice (Italy), with installation handled by its Cable Enterprise and Ulisse cable-lay vessels. Delivery and commissioning of the project are scheduled for 2021. The power lines for Vineyard Wind will feature Pry-Cam permanent monitoring that collects and analyzes data using an artificial intelligence interface. Pry-Cam is a Prysmian technology that provides on-line, accurate and reliable in-depth information to help electric assets owners to increase asset longevity and safety, while reducing maintenance costs and risks.

German manufacturer MD Elektronik plans to invest $12.7 million in a new plant in Vratsa, Bulgaria, for making automotive cables. The new entity, to be called MD Elektronik EOOD, will make data cables and electronic components. Production is expected to start in 2020. “The location in Bulgaria, and the associated increase in flexibility, plays an important strategic role in our global production network, in particular for our customers in Europe,” said Ralf Eckert, a member of the company’s management board. The plant is in an industrial area, close to the border with Romania. MD Elektronik is also expanding its Waldkraiburg campus with a new technology center. Completion and commissioning of the facility are planned for later in 2019.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

30

Beautification project

Color recognition

Rosendahl’s color recognition sensor system

Nexans will supply high voltage underground cables for the Dorset Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project. The contract was awarded by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, the main contractor, as part of its underground onshore electricity cable framework agreement for National Grid. The project will focus on reducing the visual impact of an existing 8.8km section of 400kV overhead line, replacing it with underground cabling and removing 22 pylons. It also includes the construction of two new sealing end compounds, required to connect the new underground cables to the remaining overhead line. Nexans will supply over 100kmof specialized copper-core HV cable with XLPE insulation. The cables will be used to create two three- phase circuits, each with two cables per phase. Construction work on the project is expected to take up to three years to complete, including the removal of the existing line and pylons. The cables will be manufactured by Nexans’ Benelux plant in Charleroi, Belgium, with the accessories delivered by Nexans’ Switzerland plant in Cortaillod.

Rosendahl has developed a sensor system, the SK-400-C, to monitor color in insulation lines. The main component is a PC-based evaluation unit with 360° camera surveillance. The precise sensor unit of the system has four cameras and is protected by a stainless steel housing. The interior is sealed against light leakage from outside. The evaluation algorithm is based on the LABcolor space, used incolormeasurement worldwide because it is very similar to human color perception. The main and stripe colors, as well as the stripe width, are measured according to pre-set references, and any color deviations are detected immediately. Using the color recognition system is expected to reduce scrap and waste, both at the start of production and during a color change. Additional production steps, such as printing, are easy to integrate because the sensor is completely insensitive to water and rotation. The SK-400-C is suitable for high speed applications up to 2,500m per minute, and can be integrated into new or existing lines as a stand-alone unit.

31

wiredInUSA - June 2019

ASIA & AFRICA NEWS

wiredInUSA - June 2019

32

Ribbon-cutting ceremony

New cable plant in Poland

LS Cable and System Ltd has held a completion ceremony for its new cable production plant in Dzierzoniow in the southwestern region of Poland. The new factory will produce optical communications cables and parts for electric vehicle batteries. The completion ceremony, held on 14 th May, was attended by nearly 100 LS Cable and System executives and by government officials, including Dariusz Kucharski, mayor of Dzierzoniow. “LS Cable is pursuing a localization strategy. The Polish plant will serve as the key base for advancing into Europe. We will grow it into a total cable company by adding the power cable business in the future,” said the company’s CEO Myung Roe-hyun.

LS Cable established a subsidiary for EV battery parts production in Poland, LS EV Poland (LSEVP), in November 2017, and in February 2018 set up its optical cable production subsidiary, LS Cable and System Poland (LSCP). LSCP has an annual production capacity of 3 million fiber kilometers, which accounts for approximately 7 percent of the European market. It started mass production in April and has been supplying its products to major network carriers in Europe. With the completion of the Polish plant, LS Cable has a total of 19 business operations at home and abroad, with nine of them based overseas, including Vietnam, China and the United States.

33

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Cable gathering

HVDC projects

Oman Cables Industry (OCI) recently held a customer gathering and technical seminar on fire survival cables and wires, in partnership with its regional distributor, Electro Trade Company (ETC). The seminar was held to introduce OCI’s new logo and to highlight the safety features required in wires and cables used in the commercial/residential and construction industry, especially for extended protection during a fire. OCI, a Prysmian Group company, has developed a range of specified fire survival cable and wire products in line with international specifications and testing methodologies. The presentation expanded on cable selection, storageandhandlingprocedures. Members of the audience, which included consultants in the industry, were guided on some of the technical specifications and requirements. OCI develops, manufactures and markets a range of electrical cables that includes medium and low voltage power cables, control cables, pilot cables, overhead power transmission line conductors and building wires. The OCI team was led by regional manager,Nazem Tayara, and included ETC chief operating officer Yazan Mustafa and general manager Main Jaran. Attendees at the customer gathering and technical seminar. Photograph courtesy of www.gulf-times.com

Image: Sumitomo Electric Industries

Sumitomo Electric Industries has completed two HVDC interconnector cable projects using cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated cables. The first project involved construction of a 400kV HVDC XLPE environment-friendly cable system for Nemo Link, a joint venture between National Grid in the UK and ELIA in Belgium. The interconnector is claimed to be the highest voltage in the world for an HVDC-XLPE cable system and will connect the electricity systems of the UK and Belgium via subsea cables. Sumitomo Electric’s subsidiary, J-Power Systems, delivered the project as part of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract, awarded by Nemo Link in 2015. Sumitomo Electric’s second project involved construction of the 250kV Hokuto- Imabetsu HVDC Link connecting Hokkaido and Honshu, on behalf of Hokkaido Electric Power Company (HEPCO). The 250kV HVDC XLPE cable will increase transmission capacity between Japan’s main island, Honshu, andHokkaido, Japan’s northern island.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

34

Cables for a good cause

Inaugural conference for the industry

A Ghanaian manufacturer of electrical cables, Tropical Cable and Conductors Ltd, has donated assorted electrical cables to the Kumasi central prison. The cables will be used to rewire the prison to end fire outbreaks in the cells. The rewiring exercise of four halls, with 24 cells each, is expected to take a month. Twenty-four other cells at the old and new segregation blocks will also benefit from an improved electricity supply following the rewiring. Thedeputydirector of theprison, Mr Samuel Owusu Amponsah, thanked Tropical Cable and Conductors for the donation, and appealed to other Ghanaians and corporate organizations to help the prison with security lights to further improve its operations. Mr Amponsah, who is the newly appointed regional commander of the Ghana prison service, pledged to make good use of the cables to merit the donation. Ms Salomey Oforiwaa Baah, a sales representative from Tropical Cable and Conductors, said the company was ready to support the prison to ensure that inmates underwent reformation and skills training under favorable conditions. A presentation to mark the donation of wires for the rewiring of Kumasi central prison

The inaugural Africa Wire, Cable and Tube conference, co-organised by CRU and the Southern African-German chamber of commerce and industry (AHK), will be held between 11 th and 13 th November 2019 in South Africa. wire and Tube Düsseldorf are lead sponsors of this important new conference in which the international wire, cable, tube and pipe supply chain can meet and make new trade partnerships with key African stakeholders. Discussions at the conference will explore the main trends impacting global steel, copper and aluminum wire, cable and tube products, and their implications for Africa. Delegates will also have the latest updates on expected consumption trends within the African mining, utilities, oil and gas, construction and infrastructure industries. In other sessions, industry experts will discuss the latest global technological advances in wire, cable, tube and pipe manufacturing, and how these can be applied to African operations. The Africa Wire, Cable and Tube conference will be held at the Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.

35

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Chinese expansion

Solar addition

Pradeep Tharakan

Davis-Standard LLC’s Chinese subsidiary, Davis-Standard (Suzhou) Plastics Packaging Machinery Co Ltd, has opened a second location near its main manufacturing facility in Suzhou, a suburb of Shanghai. The new facility houses control panel assembly and additional warehousing for its extrusion coating business. Jinsong Lin, general manager for the subsidiary, said the additional space will allow the company to manufacture more extrusion coating lines at the main facility, and also help support other machine services and allow for faster delivery. “The increased manufacturing capacity is a positive reflection of our growth over the past few years,” Lin said in a statement. Davis-Standard opened its first facility in China in 2012. The subsidiary manufactures equipment for medical tubing, extrusion coating and co-extruding applications, and assembles electrical control panels, extruders and gear cases.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $7.64 million loan to support the construction of a 100MW solar power park in Cambodia. and affordable energy sources is crucial for the economic development of a rapidly expanding country such as Cambodia,” said ADB principal climate change specialist Pradeep Tharakan, adding: “ADB’s assistance will not only help diversify Cambodia’s energy mix through solar power development, but also help the country meet its greenhouse gas emissions reductions target, as per the Paris climate agreement.” In 2018, Cambodia’s installed electricity capacity totaled nearly 2,175MW, with hydropower accounting for 1,330MW (about 62 percent). An ADB press release said: “Despite having an abundance of solar radiation, current solar generation capacity in the country is only 10MW. ADB’s studies show that Cambodia can add about 200MW of solar energy to the grid by 2021, using available technology and without disrupting the grid.” “Having reliable, sustainable

wiredInUSA - June 2019

36

Energy investment

Data center open for business

Egypt’s investment ministry expects its 1.6GW solar park to be operating at full capacity sometime during 2019. Some parts of the park are already operating on a small scale, while other areas are still undergoing testing. Egypt aims to meet 20 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2022, and up to 40 percent by 2035. Renewable energy currently meets only about three percent of the country’s needs. The $2 billion project in the south of the country, set to be the world’s largest solar installation, has been partly funded by the World Bank, which invested $653 million through the International Finance Corporation. “Egypt’s energy sector reforms have opened a wider door for private sector investments,” said World Bank president David Malpass, during a visit to the site. Egypt is trying to attract investors with a range of economic reforms and incentives. Most foreign investment goes to the energy sector.

Angola Cables has opened its carrier- neutral data center, Angonap Fortaleza, catering for the growing demand in content data transmission in the southern hemisphere. The facility is a primary interconnection point for the region and will host Angola Cables’ two newest intercontinental submarine cables, SACS (South Atlantic Cable System) and Monet. The center will accommodate other international submarine cable systems, backhaul providers, content providers and CDNs, including research and academic internet exchange points in Latin America. It will also enable African entities to develop businesses in different regions of Brazil, Latin America and the USA. “The… facility has far reaching advantages and benefits for CDNs, IXPs [and] OTTs as well as national and international telecom operators, and content providers seeking to extend and expand their global reach and product offerings from Brazil to the world,” said António Nunes, Angola Cables CEO.

37

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Products, Machines & Technology

wiredInUSA - June 2019

38

Listening to cable AFL now offers OSP MicroCore ® tonable cables, locatable within an underground cabling system using standard electromagnetic locator devices. To locate and mark the cable location underground there must be a continuous metallic material placed within the pathway. This electrically conductive element can be part of the duct system, part of the armor layer within the cable, or a tone-wire under the cable jacket. Tonable OSP MicroCore loose tube fiber optic cables (LM, LM200 and LMHD) include a stranded copper conductor placed, longitudinally, directly under the jacket. After thecable is jetted intoan underground micro-duct, or pulled through a traditional HDPE duct pathway, the copper wire is accessed and connected to a signal transmitter and then energized. The low- resistance copper wire acts as an antenna that propagates the imposed signal, allowing its location to be determined using a signal detection device. Historically, a tonable option for a traditional loose tube or ribbon fiber optic cable meant the use of an armored OSP cable package, which limited the amount of fiber that could be placed in a given pathway size.

offers network owners the ability to add two to three times the amount of fiber to their cable pathway. In addition, the reduced diameter and lighter weight construction of the OSP MicroCore tonable cable package allows for longer cable lengths on smaller reels which improves site handling, reduces splice points and lowers scrap. Extending the range AFL has added RuggedizedMicroCore, and Ruggedized MicroCore with SpiderWeb ® ribbon technology, to its MicroCore product line. An alternative to traditional inside plant central loose tube ribbon cable, both cables are designed to eliminate the concerns associated with edge fiber stresses. Ruggedized MicroCore cables consist of an OFNP/FT6 (NFPA 262) or LSZH (including ONFR-LS/FT4/CPR B2ca rating) flame-rated outer jacket with an installation tension rating of 150lbs, and exceed the requirements of the latest Telcordia GR-409-CORE inside plant cabling requirements. Likely applications include headend termination to a fiber backbone, termination of fiber rack systems, intra-building backbones, MTP/MPO or MTP to breakout terminations. “AFL’s Ruggedized MicroCore cables represent the highest fiber density solutions available, allowing for maximum cable pathway utilization,” said Michael Houck, product manager for inside plant cables at AFL.

The use of an OSP MicroCore tonable cable in place of an armored OSP cable

39

wiredInUSA - June 2019

Fire safety cable Prysmian Group has launched a UK- manufactured Draka UC400 23 Category 6 U/UTP LSHF D64 Cca data cable. The cable has been developed by Prysmian’s multimedia solutions department to comply with the construction products regulation (CPR) to Euroclass Cca S1A D1 A1 fire performance rating. CPR requires third party testing of cables for heat-energy content, plus spread of fire, smoke, acidity, heat emission and droplet formation (burning drops of plastic that spread fire), to ensure they meet the fire performance requirements laid out in EN 50575. To meet these stringent fire safety tests, the existing Draka Cat6 U/UTP Eca cable needed to be redesigned. An example of the challenges for manufacturers has been to balance the volume of air spaces within the cable, necessary to achieve Category 6 transmission characteristics, while minimizing the potential for the air to help propagate the fire spread. Prysmian Group invested considerable resources in developing a new Cat 6 U/UTP Cca cable that meets both criteria: high data transmission levels are maintained and the cable is genuinely CPR Cca rating compliant. This has been achieved through a range of material engineering

developments, optimization of the cable construction design, and fine tuning of the manufacturing processes. The new cable remains compact, with a diameter of just 5.9mm, and a high degree of flexibility for easy installation. Draka believes there is no visible difference, or difference in handling performance, to its existing high-density Eca rated cables. RF partners Elkem Inchas entered intoapartnershipwith Schlenk Metal Foils to produce RF shielding materials with higher flexibility, reduced thickness, greater width, and extended lifetime compared to traditionally rolled silvered copper. Partnering with Schlenk, a specialist in rolled metal foils technology, Elkem, which provides specialized electroplating, can now offer advanced RF shielding based on silver-plated copper foil. “The products created from our partnership will enable cable manufacturers to design thinner conductors, with higher aspect ratios, that are also more flexible and durable,” said Schlenk’s sales manager, Thorben Beckmann.

wiredInUSA - June 2019

40

EASIER QUICKER LIGHTER Unique, original-content news and information for the domestic US wire and cable market.

wiredIn USA Digital . Networking . Monthly .

wiredIn USA

wiredIn USA

Delivered direct to your email inbox or available on-line FREE... so pass on to colleagues !

www.wiredinUSA.com

EDITORIAL Index

AFL

39

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure

31

Anbaric

9

Nexans

29, 31

Angola Cables

37 27

North Bergen Liberty Generating

10 23 16 34 29 31 29 11 34 15 28 14 28 35 13 27

Bartell Machinery Systems Commercial Development Co

Novacap

9

Nucor Corporation Oman Cables Industry Ørsted Wind Power A/S

CRU

35 36 20 25 34 40 18 29 11 23 28 33 30 20

Davis-Standard LLC

Deacero

Prysmian Group

30, 40

Duke Energy

Rosendahl

Electro Trade Company

Royal Boskalis Westminster NV

Elkem Inc

SubCom

Encore Wire Corporation

Sumitomo Electric Industries Superconductor Technologies

Equinor Google Horizon

Telekom Romania

Tesla

JDR Cable Systems

Trelleborg

LS Cable and System Ltd

Tropical Cable and Conductors Ltd

MD Elektronik

UL

Mid Continent Steel and Wire

Viakable SA

wiredInUSA - June 2019

42

ADVERTISING Index

AIM Inc

21 13 11 15 16 14

Beta LaserMike (An NDC Technologies Brand)

Clinton Instrument Company

DeWAL

Electrical Cable Compounds Inc

Madem

Messe Düsseldorf

7

Nano-Diamond America Inc

12 19

Paramount Die

Sikora

8

Windak Group

17

Zumbach Electronic

2

Marketing: Contact Jason Smith, wiredInUSA, Tel: +44 (0) 1926 834684 Email: jason@wiredinusa.com News: Contact David Bell, Editor, wiredInUSA, Tel: +44 (0) 1926 334137 Email: david@wiredinusa.com

The Professional Publishers Association Member

43

wiredInUSA - June 2019

America’s online magazine for wire and cable

wiredIn USA

wiredinUSA, EuroWire and Wire & Cable ASIA... The leading magazines for the wire and cable industries Download your 2019 media packs today and benefit from an international coverage

wiredIn USA Digital . Networking . Monthly .

www.read-wca.com

www.read-tpt.com Published in English and Chinese languages www.read-eurowire

America’s online magazin

nternational magazine for the wire & cable industries

The magazine Wire & Cable ASIA is published six times each year in both English and Chinese languages. A leading magazine in the Asian market for the wire and cable industries, Wire & Cable ASIA is available in print, CD ROM and online, and its circulation is closely controlled to ensure maximum exposure to professionals within the industry. Distribution With its bilingual issues, Wire & Cable ASIA has a unique and increasing wiredIn USA

The magazine A leading international magazine for the wire and cable industries, EuroWire is printed six times per year and is the only magazine published in six different languages including German, Russian, French, Italian and Spanish.The latest corporate news, technology stories, and regular features covering the production and processing of wire, cable, fibre optics, springs, fasteners and precision parts, all form the mainstay of this highly respected magazine. Distribution EuroWire has an increasing and unrivalled distribution across Europe and the Americas and is THE most important source of information in our industry. Total global distribution: over 18,000 per issue. 2019 EDITORIAL FEATURES JANUARY ■ Power cable manufacturing, materials and machinery ■ TEL – show issue ■ Cables 2019 – show issue

19 ITORIAL FEATURES UARY ocus onTurkey ies, cones and die maintenance EL – show issue ables 2019 – show issue

distribution across Asia and the rest of the world. Total global distribution: over 16,500 per issue.

Asia (including China) – 32%

Europe – 41%

Rest of the World – 5% MARCH ■ Compounds and c lourings ■ Wire ropes ■ Interwire – show issue

Asia (including China) – 23%

Rest of the World – 6%

RCH Focus on Germany Stranding, twisting,

Americas – 21%

*Typicaldistribution

Europe – 45%

*Typicaldistribution

(Comprisesprinteddistributionandelectronicdistributionplusbonuscirculationat international tradeshows.Pass-along readership isnot included) Website statistics Based upon a 12-month period (1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018): Total sessions served (unique visitors) 147,123

Americas – 27%

bundling and bunching Interwire – show issue

(Comprisesprinteddistributionandelectronicdistributionplusbonuscirculationat international tradeshows.Pass-along readership isnot included) Website statistics Based upon a 12-month period (1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018): Total sessions served (unique visitors) 167,192 MAY ■ Fibre optics – machinery and equipment ■ wire Russia – show issue ■ Wire & Cable Guangzhou – show issue

AY Focus on Italy

Total hits 415,871

Total hits 508,585

■ Lubrication and ltration ■ wire Russia – show issue ■ Wire & Cable Guangzhou – show issue JULY ■ Focus on China ■ Testing and measuring ■ Rebuilt and reconditioned machinery SEPTEMBER ■ Focus on USA ■ Reels, spools and spooling ■ wire Southeast Asia – show issue ca – show issue

UsageanalysisprovidedbyMatrixStats

UsageanalysisprovidedbyMatrixStats

Contact us EDITOR David Bell Email: david@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 334137

Contact us EDITOR David Bell Email: david@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 334137

JULY ■ Wire drawing machinery ■ Cleaning and descaling – machinery and chemicals

ADVERT MATERIAL & PRODUCTION Liz Hughes

ADVERT MATERIAL & PRODUCTION Liz Hughes

Email: liz@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 334137

Email: liz@intras.co.uk Tel: +44 1926 334137

SALES www.read-wca.com

SALES www.read-eurowire.com

www.wiredinusa.com

UK, ROW, USA, CANADA & S. AMERICA, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND Jason Smith k | Tel: +44 1926 834684 SEPTEMBER ■ Cutting and welding ■ wire Southeast Asia – show issue

wiredInUSA – the brightest FREE online ezine for the wire a

UK, ROW, USA, CANADA & S. AMERICA, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND Jason Smith Email: jason@intras.co.uk | Tel: +44 1926 834684

Euro

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs