Solution
As RWE has already had good experience with the
chainflex cables from igus since 2006, these cables were shortlisted. igus indicated its willingness to develop special cables for the special requirements of open-cast mining. The bus cables of the CFBUS series, which had been proving their worth for years in the face of extremely high dynamic loads and with very small bend radii, were used as the basis. Tests were able to confirm the resistance of the cables under the "heavy duty" conditions of open-cast mining. Among the modifications made to the cables in the course of customised development is the increased UV resistance of the outer jacket. With the Profibus cable, the special feature worth mentioning is that the supply cores have been integrated. This reduces the effort required in installation because one less cable has to be laid.
After the successful completion of the tests, the chainflex cables were included as special cables in the RWE power plant standards for electrical cables. Four of the five cable types were stored by RWE and a minimum stock quantity was defined.
The wide range of other cables for the energy chain enables a total solution of all cables for this application. Starting from the described bus cables up to medium voltage cables. While the igus employees undertook the harnessing of the cables and the filling, the
trough and lining were also installed in the plant.