WCA September 2013

In addition to the development of these new products, Blachford has invested in learning about dusts, their risks and methods of controlling them. Blachford sent research and development personnel to train at Chillworth Global (a leading dust testing lab services provider) to better help customers mitigate dust risk. It has tested many of its own products at Chillworth, to understand the products’ impact. Blachford has authored an Information Bulletin (“Controlling Dusts From Dry Wire Drawing Lubricants”) – a copy of which can be supplied on request from the company. Blachford has developed new products, gathered relevant information and invested in training so as to provide customers with the best guidance in the control and mitigation of dust risk. The company’s new low dust lubricants may provide to steel wire drawers an opportunity to reduce dust risk, while also improving overall process performance and profitability.

Blachford’s new low dust lubricants are being run in a number of steel wire drawing applications, from high carbon, to weld wire, and tyre reinforcement wire, all with very good results. The new low dust lubricants are delivering to these applications both reduced observable dust creation and improved performance. Blachford’s new low dust lubricant technology also affects the material that falls from the die outlet – often referred to as “feathers”. Most lubricants produce feathers in some form; whether just chips that fall out of the die, flakes or streamers, most lubricants can feather. These feathers can contribute to dust formation when they cool and become brittle, break into fine particles and become airborne. The same technical improvements that help Blachford’s new low dust lubricants to remain attached to the wire even after the wire and lubricant are cool, also reduce the tendency of the resulting feathers to become brittle and break into fine particles. Therefore, feathers created with the new low dust products are less likely to contribute to dust creation. EA Technology has launched the most effective instrument yet for identifying defects in live cables of distribution voltages. The CableData Collector works by testing for partial discharge (PD) activity: small discharges, which result in damage to the cable, and if left unattended will lead to insulation failure. EA Technology commercial director Neil Davies said: “Measuring PD activity is a very accurate way of assessing the condition of cables and their likelihood of failure and outage. The ability to test cables without the need to de-energise them is a real benefit. Essentially, they can be fixed before they fail and cause expensive outages.” The instrument quickly detects PD activity in live cables by measuring radio frequency currents. It works with most types of single and three phase insulated cables at distribution voltages, up to several miles/ kilometres in length. Information about PD activity is recorded by the CableData Collector hardware and can be sent to EA Technology for expert analysis. Alternatively, users can buy EA

Blachford Corporation – USA Website : www.blachford.com

CableData Collector finds defects in live cables

Technology’s software package to perform their own data analysis. In either case, they will have access to clear reports on cables affected by PD activity and recommendations for remedial action. CableData Collector instruments are supplied as complete, ready-to-use kits, with Radio Frequency Current Transformers (RFCTs), cabling, USB-powered data collection unit and carry case, together with optional software, training and factory technical support. Kits are also available for rental, or EA Technology engineers can provide cable testing as a site service, anywhere in the world. EA Technology Group – UK Website : www.eatechnology.com ❍ ❍ The new CableData Collector from EA Technology

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Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2013