It’s not easy for export-oriented machine and plant manufacturers, because the maze of rules and regulations in the USA poses considerable problems to many. One of the reasons: more and more federal states are adopting the new National Electrical Code (NEC) Edition 2008. A reference is made there, in Article 670 (Industrial Machinery), to NFPA 79 Edition 2007. According to this, for example, the use of AWM leads (Appliance Wiring Material) is only possible to a limited extent. In the meantime, 29 of the 50 US federal states require this new NFPA 79 standard to be followed. In the other states, local inspectors still decide what is allowed and what not. Conclusion: anyone wishing to be certain and not looking to encounter any operating prohibitions is best advised to comply with the new NFPA 79-conform and listed leads.
The Stuttgart-based Lapp Group has already aligned itself to the latest US standards and at this year’s SPS/IPC/DRIVES (24th to 26th November 2009) in Hall 6, Stand 350, it will be showcasing its extended, comprehensive product range of new UL-listed leads.
Much sought-after, in particular, are the new ÖLFLEX® CHAIN 879 and its screened version ÖLFLEX® CHAIN 879 CY. “Because of the high demand, we have already had to boost availability for our customers”, said Product Manager Volker Huber. This UL MTW listed, highly-flexible cable for power chains is approved for all wiring between constantly moving machinery and machine parts located in power chains as well as industrial machines. The lead is enormously oil-resistant (OIL RES I & OIL RES II). This is why it is especially suited for use in wet areas with metalworking cutting machine tools. Its highly-flexible structure enables small bending radii and protects the conductors from breakage due to vibrations. It is also flame-retardant and designed for up to eight million alternate bending cycles. The screened CY version also has a tin plated copper wire screening braid.
The NFPA 79-conform cable range also includes ÖLFLEX® connecting and control cables as well as UNITRONIC® data cables in the TRAY II, CONTROL TM, CONTROL M, VFD, Auto-X, Auto-I versions and the UNITRONIC® 300 data cable.