TRANSIT APPLICATIONS TAKE BIG POWER
Many transit system power needs parallel industrial applications
- Published in Southwire's Power Cable Update newsletter in January 1998
- Reprint permission granted
Not all electric trains are scale models. The real ones are a fast-growing industry segment. If you're a cable specifier or buyer, you're increasingly apt to have a colleague who's premium dealing with power cable for transportation systems. And you may both be ordering the same products from Southwire.
"Urban problems of traffic congestion and air pollution are fueling unprecedented growth in transit system construction," says Terry McWhirt, Southwire business development manager. "Some transit system power cable applications use standard MV-90 products. Others are more specialized. Southwire products span the transit power range from MV cable to overhead trolley wire."
Most electrical power distribution starts with medium-voltage cable. Transit systems are no exception. Shielded single-conductor and multiconductor cables operating at up to 35kV deliver basic power to subways, surface trains and trolley systems. Many of those distribution cables come right out of stock in Southwire Master Service Centers.
Fire Safety and Flexibility Are Important
When power goes underground in subway tunnels, requirements become more specialized.
One of the first priorities is fire safety. "In tunnels and enclosed cable vaults - where people will be exposed to smoke if cable burns - smoke protection is good insurance," McWhirt says. "Southwire's SOLONON® low smoke, non-halogen cables deliver that protection. They're one of the few constructions to have earned UL's LS rating." Another requirement for tunnel installation is flexibility. Cables have to be trained into tight quarters. EPR insulations and extra-flexible stranding options fill the bill there. Southwire supplies both.
Where trolleys and trains draw power from overhead lines, conductors become very specialized. ASTM defines a range of cross sections and sizes to meet mechanical and electrical needs. Southwire is a leading producer of overhead trolley wire in a variety of alloys and configurations.
"Southwire is moving to meet the needs of the expanding transit industry," says McWhirt. "Many of the solutions come right out of the Southwire catalog. However, if you need information or data sheets for Southwire products that are unique to transit applications, please give us a call." |
