Each in their place
When we think about stored wires and cables, our minds probably turn to large wooden coils or small rolls with shorter cables. But did you know there’s a difference between all these packaging elements? Each cable and wire has its specific storage requirements, see below.
Rolls, reels, or coils?
Due to the significant lengths acquired by the market, electrical wires and cables are supplied wound and must be unwound smoothly during installation. For this, there are rolls and coils. These packages have their requirements established in the standards NBR 7312 – Rolls for electrical wires and cables, and NBR 11137 – Wooden spools.
It’s interesting to note that the term “spool” refers only to the empty packaging. When it has the cable inside, the correct term changes from “spool” to “coil.” In general, wires and cables supplied on rolls are of small cross-section, up to 6 mm2. Larger cables are supplied on wooden coils due to the weight. Wooden spools come in various sizes to accommodate the different lengths (spans) of cable required by customers, with the diameter ranging from 65 cm to 270 cm.
It is also important to consider the weight of a coil to define its span.
Cable suppliers can handle coils of 6 or 7 tons without any problems, while this can be an obstacle in the field, in the handling by third parties. Therefore, when purchasing a large quantity of cables for a specific project, a Cutting Plan must be developed to define the sizes and weights of the coils based on the unloading and launching limitations of the cables.
The importance of certifications
In addition to correct packaging for each type of electrical conductor, the best way to ensure the expected performance for a cable during the operation of the electrical circuit throughout its useful life is to ensure that it meets the construction, dimensional, tests, and other pre-established requirements in technical standards. This is achieved through compulsory (mandatory, regulated by law) or voluntary certification.
Inmetro Ordinance No. 640 lists the types of electrical cables that require compulsory approval, such as Duflex 750 V and Atox Flex 750 V cables. Plugs, sockets, switches, circuit breakers, and other devices on the electrical network are also compulsorily certified to ensure product quality and credibility. Always buy products from recognized brands; if in doubt, check the Qualifio website, which monitors the quality of wires and cables for civil construction available in the market.
Be wary of prices much lower than the market average; unfortunately, there are companies with questionable reputations that use inappropriate materials, do not respect standards, and cause fires in electrical installations. In addition to compulsory certifications, Induscabos has certified many of its products voluntarily, making all certificates available on its website.
