Cable protection system from Atkore Flexicon helps reduce the installation time for PRASA project
About:
The Alstom Ubunye rail factory in South Africa is installing electric cable
protection faster by using the Flexicon FPIHRL nylon flexible conduit and FPAU Ultra™ fittings.
Specified extensively across rail development projects for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the Flexicon equipment is used by sub-contractor, Radel during the installation of wiring harnesses to deliver power across the rail carriages.
Key deciding factors in selecting Flexicon as the preferred supplier
included the speed and ease of installation, the material composition, which is approved to international rail standards as well as Alstom’s own stringent pressure testing and, proven reliability on numerous rail applications globally.
Challenges:
In contrast to other fittings, the FPAU Ultra™ features a simple push and and twist conduit connection and requires minimal onsite assembly by the Radel installation team. This has proved to offer significant time and cost savings, as the fitting is supplied ready for installation.
Where a conventional fitting can take up to ten seconds to assemble and install, the FPAU Ultra™ can take a fraction of this time, and with numerous cables to terminate, this delivers a substantial reduction in assembly time and production labour.
Flexicon Ultra™:
A further benefit is the ability to rationalise stock levels. Previously, the Alstom Ubunye warehouse had to stock multiple types and specifications of fittings to meet differing ingress protection (IP) ratings. The FPAU Ultra™ fitting meets a wide variety of requirements in a single component, including elbow and strain relief configurations. This makes stock rotation in the warehouse much simpler, reduces the margin for error and minimises wastage due to stocking parts that may not be required. All of this simplifies the supply chain.
Independently tested to protect critical installations against extremes of temperature and vibration, the FPAU Ultra™ is ideal for applications where cables or cabling systems pass from carriage compartment to carriage compartment. This provides a secure and effective barrier system against fire, smoke and gas. Using special fire-resistant material, the fitting is also compatible for interior installation inside carriages and for exterior applications.
The cable gland component of FPAU Ultra™ is designed for high durability to suit the rigorous of the rail environment. With a tamper-proof construction and vibration resistance, it offers excellent long-life performance to protect critical and vulnerable cabling.
The fitting is also designed for use with Flexicon’s rail specific flexible corrugated conduits, which offer EN45545-2 HL3 fire performance. At the Ubunye factory, Alstom has standardised on the FPIHRL nylon conduit, which offers high flexibility and durability.
The FPIHRL range features high mechanical and impact strength, even at low temperatures, combined with excellent resistance to water, dust, UV, oil and solvents. It includes a HL3 Exterior R23 classification, providing superior protection for external vehicle applications.
The PA12, corrugated flexible conduit is ideal for applications where there is dynamic and continual movement or flexing. For Alstom, this includes internal and external cable protection on bogies and control systems, inter vehicle jumper applications, auto-couplers, or rolling stock assemblies that require the highest level of dynamic and fire performance. Also, with a one million lifecycle test having been carried out by Alstom, this means 35 years’ service life.
Don’t just take our word for it…
ALSTOM represantitive:
“This has been our largest global rail project to date, with a wide range of rolling stock commissioned for PRASA that incorporate Flexicon FPAU Ultra fittings and FPIHRL flexible conduit. Enabling the Alstom and Radel production teams to reduce installation time by such a significant margin has proven to deliver substantial savings for our customer. Carriages can now be commissioned in a tenth of the time it has previously taken with conventional me The ongoing installation programme has proved so successful that Alstom has specified Flexicon flexible conduit and fittings for a number of other global projects, including in Luxembourg and Dubai.”
*For further information about Flexicon cable protection systems for the rail industry, please contact enquiries@atkore.com or call us on 0121 580 6309.
Press Contacts:
Colin Legg, Marketing Manager, Atkore UK
Tel: 01675 466900
Email: CLegg@atkore.com
