Offshore lightweight cable portfolio at APPEA 2019

Utilising the HUBER+SUHNER RADOX e-beam cross-linked polymer jacket technology, the cable is already broadly employed in other sectors, including in railway and other industrial applications. With the ability to withstand high temperatures without shrinking, melting and no drip-off, RADOX provides an extended temperature range for both hot and cold applications. The cable also boasts accelerated resistance against environmental factors such as oil, chemicals and UV radiation and is low-smoke, minimising the potential for hazardous fume inhalation.

Frank Thorn, Head of Business Unit Offshore/Energy at HUBER+SUHNER, said: “RADOX has long been a market leader in industrial connectivity solutions, making it well suited to offshore platforms and we are glad to use the opportunity of this global event to showcase the specific advantages for this market. 

“The launch of our fire-resistant cable adds to our strong existing portfolio and the team at HUBER+SUHNER is looking forward to demonstrating these notable developments to our customers, allowing them to witness the advantages our technology can bring.”

This technology allows customers to maximise space and weight in applications that are limited. Due to its lightweight and compact design, the RADOX cable jacket saves up to 60% of weight and up to 70% of space, compared to other cables available on the market. With several 100km of cables this can result in several $100,000 in structural design savings.

HUBER+SUHNER deploys RADOX as a fire-resistant and flame-retardant jacket material for both power and instrumentation cables, and fibre optic cables. RADOX is excellent for harsh outdoor environments and industrial applications.

HUBER+SUHNER RADOX offshore cables have been approved and certified by classification societies such as DNV, ABS, BV, CCS and others (e.g. NEK606), and by several offshore customers in the North Sea.

Aside from its extensive electrical cable portfolio, HUBER+SUHNER also has a wide range of fibre optic connectivity solutions for indoor and outdoor connectivity. This technology, designed for the most challenging environments, is suited for monitoring and control, as well as sensor applications on offshore platforms.

A highlight of the HUBER+SUHNER fibre optic portfolio is the Q-ODC-12 fibre optic connectors. They achieve outstanding results in rigorous industry testing to ensure their durability and performance under extreme outdoor conditions. For example, the connectors endured 30 days submersion in over three meters of water and passed extended IP68 testing.

The Q-ODC-12 fibre optic connectors have also been subjected to stringent vibration testing without suffering any performance loss, as well as hundreds of mating cycles. This solution and others will also be showcased at the APPEA event on stand 220, alongside the HUBER+SUHNER RADOX products.

“Our technology is a game changer for offshore topside cabling solution, and the APPEA event provides an ideal space for us to showcase how,” added Thorn. “We look forward to meeting with existing and potential customers, as well as discussing the latest industry trends in offshore applications and how HUBER+SUHNER is innovating to meet them.”