SafeEarth

Low Voltage, 5-Core (Separate Earth), PVC Cable

Revised 022008

ABERDARE INTRODUCES NEW LOW

VOLTAGE POWER CABLE FOR MINES
overcomes unreliable earthing problems associated with cable joints between gully electrical boxes and the rock face, and considerably improves safety in the stopes. The cable is also ideal for carrying electricity supplies to mine winches, which also require a reliable earth. He adds that a significant order for SafeEarth has recently been received from a major platinum mining organisation, and that many more customers are expected to use this product when its safety advantages are realised. About Aberdare Cables Aberdare Cables is a leading power cable manufacturer that has played a significant role in the distribution of electrical power in South Africa. A Powertech company within the Altron Group, Aberdare Cables has a 60-year history of sustained growth and achievement. A 30% stake is held by the Izingwe Consortium. With a strong focus on skills development, enterprise development and socioeconomic initiatives Aberdare Cables has a BEE status rating of AA from Empowerdex. More than 3000 people are employed at factories and branches throughout southern Africa, Spain, Portugal and Mozambique.

The change from pneumatic drilling to electrically powered Hilti rock face drills in many South African mines, has created a demand for a safe electric cable that will in addition stand up to the rigorous underground conditions experienced in hard rock mines. Aberdare Cables has introduced SafeEarth cable, a low voltage 16mm2 five-core mining cable comprising three phases, a neutral and a reduced 10mm2 earth conductor for use in underground applications where, for safety reasons, earth integrity is critical. SafeEarth is PVC insulated and bedded, SWA armoured and PVC sheathed, and manufactured to the SANS 1507-3 standard. The voltage rating is 600/1000 and the core identifications are red, yellow and blue for the phases, black for the neutral and green/yellow for the earth. The one-second short circuit ratings for the 3 phase conductors, the neutral conductor, and the earth conductor, are 1.84 kA and 1.15 kA respectively. SafeEarth cable has a mass of approximately 1660 kg/km and is supplied in 500m lengths on wooden drums. Louis Steyn, Mining Products Manager at Aberdare Cables, says the presence of an earth conductor

Aberdare Cables, a member of the Powertech Group, is a leading African manufacturer of cables with five manufacturing sites, in three provinces of South Africa, and offshore operations in Mozambique, Portugal and Spain. The companys customer base includes power supply authorities, railway and transport organisations, municipalities, and companies in industries such as petrochemical, mining, wholesale, industrial, construction and domestic building.The company manufactures and sells a wide range of state of the art products with customer specific adaptation, design capabilities and full technical back-up service. Aberdare Cables pursues ongoing technology development programmes, and through active association with its local and overseas affiliates, continues to remain at the forefront of technology.The company has been recognised internationally as a pioneer in cable advancements. The company is also a fore runner in the industry with regard to quality. The manufacturing, quality assurance, testing and research resources of Aberdare are of a world-class standard. In fact, the company was one of the first companies in South Africa to be awarded the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Quality Assurance Certification, and has been ISO 9001 compliant for many years. Aberdare Cables is UL listed and has Basec QA accreditation. Aberdare Cables has always been an active supporter and pillar of strength for the communities in which it operates. The company is championing a number of social investment initiatives across our country. The company has embraced the empowerment concept; today, 30% of the company is owned by Izingwe Consortium and the company has initiated a number of programmes that have earned the company its AA Empowerdex rating. Aberdare will continue to adopt a proactive approach to effect the transformation that the codes specify and to lead the cable industry in this regard.

SafeEarth
Low Voltage, 5-Core (Separate Earth), PVC Cable

Cable Description 16mm, 5 core copper cable (3 phase, neutral and reduced earth), PVC insulated, PVC bedded, SWA PVC sheathed and manufactured to SANS 1507-3. Installation Information For use in applications where, for safety reasons, earth integrity is critical, such as underground electrical drilling. Properties Specification Voltage Rating Core Identification Packaging

: : : :

SANS 1507-3 600 / 1000 V Red, Yellow, Blue (phases), Black (neutral) and Green/Yellow (earth) 500m wooden drums

Technical Data
Electrical Properties
Cable Size (mm) Phase Conductor Area (mm) Phase Conductor Resistance* (/km) Phase Core Impedance (Z) (/km) Earth Conductor Size (mm) Earth Resistance* (/km) Ground
Phase Current Rating (A) 1 Second Short Circuit Rating (kA) (Phase Conductor) 1 Second Short Circuit Rating (kA) (Earth Conductor) Note: * DC @ 20C
91

16
16 1,15 1,4 10 1,83

Duct
75 1,75 2,53

Air
83

Physical Properties
Cable Size (mm) Phase Conductor Construction (no. x diam.) (mm) Earth Conductor Construction (no. x diam.) (mm) Neutral Conductor Construction (no. x diam) (mm) Nominal Insulation Thickness (mm) Nominal Sheath Thickness (mm) Approximate Cable OD (mm) Approximate Cable Mass (kg/km) 16
7 x 1,67 7 x 1,35 7 x 1,67 1,0 1,7 27 1660

PVC Current Ratings are Based on the following Environmental Parameters

Maximum Sustained Conductor Temperature
70 C
o

Ground Temperature
25oC

Ambient Air Temperature (Free Air Shaded)

30 C
o

Ground Thermal Resistivity

1,2 K.m/W

Depth of Laying to top of Cable or Duct

500mm