How HELUKABEL develops tailor-made solutions for special requirements
Our stock portfolio of cables, wires and accessories comprises more than 33,000 items – and yet it still happens that a customer cannot find the right solution for a specific application among all these products. Fortunately, this is not a problem: HELUKABEL’s “Special Cables” department has experienced in-house experts who can develop and implement the right solution for every application, no matter how unusual and challenging the task at hand.
What exactly is a special cable? “In principle, this term covers all products that are not in our catalogue,” explains Reiner Breckle, Head of Special Cables at HELUKABEL. “These can be very simple variations of standard products, such as a different colour scheme or a core cross-section that is not part of our range. But it is most exciting when we have to solve complex technical challenges for very specific applications.
“When Reiner Breckle and his team receive a request from a customer for a special cable, either directly or via a sales representative, they first take a close look at it. “It is important for us to understand the specific conditions at the user,” Breckle explains. “What temperatures and loads is the cable exposed to, is it laid securely or does it move, what media does it come into contact with?” These and many other questions are clarified by the special cable experts in close consultation with the customer.
At airports all over the world, special cables from HELUKABEL ensure reliable ground supply for aircraft. (©CAVOTEC NV)
STATE-OF-THE-ART PRODUCTION AND TESTING FACILITIES
HELUKABEL has all the technical possibilities in its production facilities that are necessary for the production of sophisticated and complex special solutions. The cables are first sent to the in-house test laboratory and then evaluated under real operating conditions. "In practice, disruptive factors often occur that could not have been foreseen in advance," Breckle explains. "In such cases, we make changes until our solution perfectly meets all requirements. Our aim is to deliver consistent products of the highest quality.
But even after a special cable has been successfully put into operation, the department's work is not yet done. Often, the application in question evolves over time, which in turn creates the need for adjustments to the cables. "For many customers, we are therefore not just a supplier, but a long-term partner who is involved in many decisions." The know-how and experience built up over more than 40 years makes HELUKABEL a reliable partner and the right choice for customers.
With this jacking machine, underground cables – for example for the power supply – can be laid underground without having to dig trenches. A specially manufactured hybrid cable from HELUKABEL makes this possible. (©Herrenknecht)
THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION FOR EVERY APPLICATION
The results of special cable projects range from small and inconspicuous to huge and spectacular: “Our special cables can be found, for example, in turntable ladders of fire engines, in sewer robots, tunnel boring machines, on oil platforms or in wind energy and biogas plants,” reports Breckle. The requirements that the cables have to meet vary as much as their respective applications. “That makes our work so exciting and varied,” summarizes the department head. “Ultimately, there is almost nothing we cannot do – and of course our customers benefit from this, because we offer them the right solution for every application.”
HELUPOWER REFLECT shines in the dark and supports rescue services in their work – another successful project by HELUKABEL's special cable department. (©Ralf Kreuels)