ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Specific wiring features in Arctic conditions

Has anybody experience of open-air wiring works at winter time in Arctic? Need some advise...

There are lots of cold places in US and Canada. Any questions in particular?

In my humble opinion, there is nothing I could explain to a Russian about the Arctic that he doesn't know even better than I.

I'm probably hardly alone in such sentiments, hence the lack of replies.

Yes! I do have specific questions!

Of course, we in Russia have experience in arctic projects, however... perhaps there are some techniques which we're simply nor aware of.

Major problem in cabling works is quite a limited period for open-air installations - eventually 1-1,5 months, as soon as nearly all types of cables allow bending at +5oC and above, whilst thousands of kilometers should be installed on the open racks at heights, during at least 7-8 months.

I'm not aware of any other techniques of working at low temperatures than:
- unwinding cable rolls in heated temporary shelters;
- making long-range tents (tonnels) from Al-laminated plastic film around cable trays. The latter is very costly and labour-taking...;
- hot air-blowing from air guns along the cable tray at certain distance.

Anything else?

Perhaps there are some special cable marks/brands/types? Please advise...

What voltage will you be working at?

Sorry for delay - 24 V DC (controls), 220 V AC, 380 V AC (power mains)

Take a look at this

Ultraflex Blue

We have used "FREP Cable" for connecting Power (Branch Circuitry) and Control Circuitry drops to Evaporators in -40°C environments, where XHHW Insulated Conductors installed in LFMC and LFNMC experienced rapid failure.

I do not remember the Company we ordered this Cable from, but try a Google Search for "FREP Cable".
("FREP" being an Acronym for the Cable Jacket & Conductor Insulation material)

The Cable we purchased had a flexibility rating down to -60°C (flexible without cracking), which the Temperature is, by all means, best referred to as:
"Beyond Frikken Cold!!!"


Good luck.

--Scott (EE)

OK, thanks! Last questions: You just pulled both cable types with rolls or manually? Was there any pre-heating for cable drums?

I wonder if some information can flow in the other direction.

I work in a place where we get below -30c only a couple weeks per year and hit -40c/-40F only for a day or two. Those are the worst days of my life.

Do you have any tips for clothing? How about fire retardant clothing that needs to "breathe"?

In my younger days, my hands would heal from the cracking in a couple days. Now, it takes a week. What do your "old guys" use for bleeding hands?