Det Norske Veritas - Germanischer Lloyd

Flexible electric cables
 N CP-0417

Annotation

This CP gives a description of the procedures and requirements related to documentation, design and type testing applicable for TA of flexible electric cables.

This CP does not set the design requirements to flexible electric cables. TA is based on compliance with design requirements given in the rules and/or other regulations and standards. The CP describes the applicable design requirements and how to document compliance with the requirements in order to obtain a TA certificate for the equipment. This includes, where relevant, technical requirements for how the type tests shall be performed.

Flexible Electric Cables have increased use onboard ships and offshore vessels. Such cables may be installed on retractable thrusters, cranes, lifts, moving decks, elevators, topside drilling loops, as reeling cable, for movable wheelhouse, shore power, umbilicals and other applications where repeated bending or torsion would destroy normal cables for fixed installation. Flexible electric cables may include power, instrumentation, data communication and optical fibers. Additional tubes for hydraulic oil, compressed air, water etc may be included in a cross discipline scope TA.

Due to the huge variation of applications of flexible electrical cables the design and materials may deviate from standard IEC requirements. Approval is based on test performance before and after dynamic tests. Manufacturer makes a flexible cable designed to endure a specified number of dynamic cycles. The cable is then tested in an environment similar to where it shall be installed. This requires that manufacturer has access to a suitable test rig. Test rig can be located outdoor, indoor or in a cold chamber.