Offshore power cables or subsea cables have been making waves in the marine vessel industry in the past few years. This is because these cables provide an uninterrupted power source for offshore vessels and units, such as drilling rigs and oil platforms.
Since these power cables are used in extreme environments, they are made to withstand even the harshest conditions. Still, the conditions that undersea power cables go through constantly result in wear and tear and other forms of damage that may bring performance issues.
As the leading providers of offshore power cables in Singapore, we know a lot about power cable issues, as well as how to solve and avoid them. Some of the most common offshore power cable problems are the following:
1. Cable failure
Failed connectors, corroded conductors, overheating and a slew of other malfunctions result in power cable failure. When this happens, operations may be interrupted, and there would be additional operating costs for locating the root cause of the cable failure. There are many instances when fishing activities result in cables being trawled and damaged during anchor drops. Other times, it happens simply because power cables are being used past their optimal operating life. This is the reason offshore power cables must be made of the best materials.
2. Electrical fault
Environmental conditions or equipment failures may result in an electrical fault, a phenomenon in which power discharge occurs. Electrical faults can also cause breakdowns in insulation cable joints. To prevent this, operators must make sure that conductors aren’t subjected to excessive internal or external stresses. It’s also ideal to have the conductors within offshore power cords to have outer protection that inhibits environmental damage.
3. Cable sheath degradation
Offshore power cables come with several layers of protection for the conductor inside. Over time, these layers of protection, including the cable sheath, may degrade due to exposure to different chemicals and substances, extreme weather conditions in and out of the water and abrasion from different surfaces on the offshore unit or under the water. This is why Cable Source’s marine cables are free of halogens so the protective materials can resist the effects of extreme environments.
4. Excessive cable heating
When offshore power cables are exposed to excessive heat, it may result in the degradation of the cables’ insulation, as well as the protective cable sheath. This problem is preventable when power cables are made from fire-resistant materials, allowing them to withstand high temperatures and preventing premature cable failure.
5. Insulation moisture
Insulation is essential for offshore power cables to prevent them from coming into contact with other conductors. When moisture forms, it can short-circuit the cable, as well as corrode the copper conductors. But when the insulation material is resistant to deformation, the chances of moisture creeping in is significantly lowered.
Quality Offshore Power Cables Guaranteed
Cables used in offshore units need to be top-of-the-line and reliable—exactly the kind of products Cable Source provides. As the leading marine cable supplier in Singapore, we have the inventory and meet the industry standards. You can operate your vessels without a hitch.
For more information, contact Cable Source.
