HRADIL offshore control and signal cables comply with RINA standard for passenger ships

In addition to RINA certification HRADIL can also ship offshore cables with DNV GL certification upon request. HRADIL Spezialkabel offer RINA-certified offshore control and signal cables HB44^® in 14 configurations from 3 x 1.5 mm² to 36 x 1.5 mm². Custom cables such as 2 x 2 x 0.75 mm² are available upon request. In order to completely prevent gas entrainment inside of the cable HRADIL has developed a ceramized special-purpose silicon. The flame-retardant, halogen-free and non-hycroscopic special silicon used by HRADIL is inserted into the cable by means of pressure extrusion, replacing the commonly used mica tape. All cable cores and shielding are completely embedded, filling up all capillary spaces within the cable. Regardless of the cable length and type and pressure of gas, combustible gases can no longer flow into or spread within the cable. HRADIL’s HB44^® offshore control cables are suitable for applications with extremely high explosion protection requirements such as in the pretrochemical industry or for maritime applications especially in the offshore sector. HRADIL’s HB44^® provides manufacturers and suppliers with proof of complete compliance with IEC 60079-14.

Authors: Alfred F. Hradil, Managing Director and Dede Bülbül, Head of Technology at Hradil Spezialkabel GmbH, Bietigheim-Bissingen

IEC 60079-14: 2014 Annex E.1 requires that a “pumping action,” in other words the entrainment of combustible gases throughout the cable, must be prevented, a requirement that most cables have thus far been unable to satisfactorily fulfil. Corresponding restricted breathing tests for cables were and are only passed in part.

The reason for this is that cables do not have a fully compact structure. Voids can occur between cores and fillers allowing combustible gases to flow in or even spread. Because of this capillary effect entrainment cannot be excluded. The risk increases where cables contain porous fillers such as non-wovens or fibrous materials exhibiting hygroscopic behaviour. While mica tape (muscovite mica or phlogopite mica), which is typically used as an insulator, provides protection against high temperatures it cannot prevent entrainment for the aforementioned reasons.

Certified Safety. 
HRADIL Offshore Control Cable HB44^®. 

Thus the new HRADIL HB44^® offshore control cables not only fulfil the traditional requirements applicable to cables used in explosion-hazard areas in terms of mechanical, chemical and thermal loads, but also in terms of zone entrainment. This means that HRADIL’s HB44^® offshore control cables fully comply with IEC 60079-14, providing suppliers and manufacturers with proof of compliance with IEC 60079-14. 

To achieve compliance with the RINA certificate, additionally proof of HRADIL’s HB44^® cable compliance with the standards IEC 60092-350, IEC 60092-351, IEC 60092-359, IEC 60092-360, IEC 60092-376, IEC 60754-2 and IEC 61034-1/2 was also required.

All HRADIL control and signal conductors listed below have been certified according to the RINA certificate ELE019618XG from 25 January 2018.

1.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 150/250V 3x0.75 mm²
2.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 150/250V 28x0.75mm²
3.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 2x1.5mm²
4.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 3x1.5mm²
5.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 3G1.5mm²
6.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 5G1.5mm²
7.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 7G1.5mm²
8.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 13G1.5mm²
9.    HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 18G1.5mm²
10.  HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 30G1.5mm²
11.  HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 36G1.5mm²
12.  HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 16G2.5mm²
13.  HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 150/250V 2x2x0.75mm²
14.  HRADIL HB44^®C HRADIL - type no. 0.6/1KV 2x2x1.5mm²

More information: http://www.hradil.de/en/press-releases/press-releases-2018/item/455-september-2018