TPE: 600V FLEXIBILITY FOR MOBILITY
Where industrial equipment is installed temporarily, or moves around, you may need 600V cords and cables with high flexibility. Consider TPE insulation.
- Published in Southwire's T&D Update newsletter in February 1998
- Reprint permission granted
If you buy or specify industrial power cable, you're probably familiar with the extruded insulations commonly used in permanent installations. But what do you use when your equipment is mobile?
"For temporary installations, or where machinery or equipment has to be mobile, you may need 600V cords or cables with more flexibility," says Dave Cooper, applications engineer. "Then you may want to consider products insulated with TPE-thermoplastic elastomer."
Here's a primer on TPE, starting with the insulations you use more commonly.
TPE Is a Flexible Thermoplastic
Extruded insulations used for wire and cable are classified as either thermoset or thermoplastic materials.
XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) and EPR (ethylene propylene rubber) are thermoset materials. They may soften, but they tend to hold their shape at elevated temperatures.
PE (polyethylene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are thermoplastic materials-they tend to lose their form at very high temperatures.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is another thermoplastic. As the word "elastomer" suggests, TPE is a highly flexible material. TPE is rapidly carving out a niche of flexible applications in Industrial settings. There are indications that industry is moving to TPE as the standard for industrial flexible cord.
"TPE combines good electrical properties with flexibility, good abrasion resistance and toughness," says Cooper.
You Get Good Resistance to Difficult Environments
TPE also has a wide range of operating temperatures. Southwire's TPE can be used from -60°C to 105°C. Other thermoplastic materials, such as PVC, tend to lose their flexibility as they get cold. They may require cautious handling when the temperature drops below -10°C. Other thermoplastics may also lose toughness under heat that won't bother TPE.
"TPE offers excellent oil and water resistance, and good weatherability," says Cooper. "It's UV-stable, so it has high resistance to direct sunlight."
TPE has many of the characteristics of natural rubber. It's easy to coil and uncoil without kinking. Good recovery when it's bent or coiled makes TPE ideal for flexible applications.
Rubber is more expensive than TPE, and it's also heavier. TPE is 15 percent lighter weight than rubber. That makes TPE easy to move and carry, and less expensive to ship. TPE is non-marring. It won't leave scuff marks when it's dragged across a floor.
Southwire Offers a Range of TPE Products
Southwire TPE-insulated flexible cables with SEOW (600V, elastomeric, oil-resistant, outdoor-rated) ratings are suitable for industrial use. Southwire regularly offers TPE cables with up to five conductors and conductor sizes up to AWG #2 in lengths up to 1,000 feet. If you need larger sizes, contact your Southwire representative.
All Southwire TPE-insulated cords and cables use non-wicking polypropylene fillers to prevent moisture from migrating through the cord. Good stripping characteristics mean fast, easy Installation.
"Southwire's TPE is tough stuff," says Cooper. "One major manufacturer subjected Southwire TPE cables to tests that included dragging them across an abrasive floor and running over them with a forklift. They were very pleased with the performance of the cable" |
