Enhancing the reliability and maintainability of equipment with mechanical cable handling systems through the correct application of flexible cables

Equipment that is mobile or that has moving subassemblies typically have a cable handling system. These systems may include a festoon system, cable reels, cable tenders, cable tracks or spreader baskets. The mechanical stresses that these devices impose cause cables to fail in the short-term. This paper reviews the technical aspects of cable design for application on these mechanical handling systems including variable frequency drive motor feed design and the use of integrated fiber optics assemblies.