|
|
 |
Hi-Spec PEEK from Adaptaflex meets the most exacting rail industry demands Unique in the market is the Hi-Spec PEEK™ flexible conduit system from Adaptaflex. Hi- Spec PEEK™ is the only flexible conduit system available that meets all of the demanding flexible conduit system standards for fire safety in the rail industry and also achieves the International Standard for flexible conduit systems.
“It really is a misconception that there are other ‘similar' systems on the market that are PEEK alternatives,” explained Meirion Buck, Adaptaflex's Technical Manager.
“In many cases what we are looking at is a comparison between chalk and cheese and at best, so called alternatives should be regarded as simply non-metallic sleeving. The reason for this is that they fail to meet the fundamental prerequisite of ‘a flexible conduit system', as defined in the Performance Classification Standard BS EN IEC 61386, to protect the cables they are carrying. In this context Hi-Spec PEEK™ offers a compression deformation of 3% against an alternative offering 50%. What this means, in real terms, is that typically in rail installations where the wire fill rate is 70%, any system with a greater compression deformation than 25% will cause the cables to be crushed and damaged. This will eventually result in the premature failure of the system causing serious disruption to services.
“This is a serious matter when you consider the number of fires that cause stoppages when compared to the number of mechanical failures, i.e. damage from movement of carriages, flexing, exposure to extreme temperatures, the environment and chemicals.”
Hi-Spec PEEK™ range of non-metallic flexible conduit systems is designed for the most demanding electrical applications in rail, underground and public buildings. It is the only flexible conduit system fully compliant with BS6583 Class 1a and registered on the sub service lines register (SSL) fully meeting the requirements of LUL engineering standard 1-085.
This means that it is fully approved for use both in the rail industry and on Transport for London Underground, so does not have to be re-submitted for approval.
PEEK is the most chemical resistant polymer available in the world, making it ideal for use in harsh environments and it finds applications throughout some of the most advanced and demanding applications from the offshore industry through to space exploration.
Hi-Spec PEEK from Adaptaflex:
Compression strength □ 750N
Impact strength □ 6J at -45ºC
Operating Temp. range □ -70ºC to +300ºC
Flexing properties □ 5000 reversed bends @ -45ºC
Compression deformation □ 3%
Glow wire resistance □ 960ºC
Fire resistance □ UL94 VO @ 1.45mm
Flammability Index (FTI) □ 360ºC
“As one of the world's leading developers of flexible conduit systems we consistently invest heavily in both research and testing, the latter of which is independently carried out and verified, achieving third party accreditation to BS EN IEC 61386 through the BSI Kitemark scheme,” added Meirion Buck.
Comprehensive information on the Adaptaflex Hi-Spec PEEK systems is available in the latest Adaptaflex catalogue, ‘Flexible Conduit Systems for Critical Power & Data Cable Protection, or via the website, www.adaptaflex.com .
-Ends-
12 March 2009
|
|
|
