Precise and safe laying of cable lines requires not only a professionally prepared project, but also professional equipment. One of the basics is the mechanical drainage of the cable for which the winch is used. How to use them correctly and how do their individual types differ?

Safe work with a winch

When laying cable lines, you move away from manual work as far as possible - employees are limited to the absolute minimum. Therefore, equipment such as cable winch is common use. When running the line, it is necessary to follow the technical data, i.e. the maximum permissible pulling force and the bending radius of the cable vertically and horizontally.

It is also necessary to properly set the winch to avoid changing its position after starting the cable. A useful function of the device is the ability to set the cable power limiter to the desired value. Thanks to this, there is no risk of exceeding the maximum permissible pulling force and damage to the cable. The recommended solution is the use of drainists equipped with a registrar. Liquidity is also important, because the rolling speed should be gradually increased from 0 to a maximum of 25 m/min. Although the winches make it much easier to work on laying cable lines, constant supervision of the winch's work is necessary.

Additional equipment is also useful when pulling the cable line. To connect the winch rope with a cable, so -called swivel. Such equipment is also used with overhead lines, but the spoliants differ in terms of bearing. The cable lines are used with a slide bearing, and for overhead - swivel with rolling bearing.

How to avoid damage when pulling the cable?

The pull -in cable is inevitably affected by turning forces derived from the steel lift of the winch. Without proper protection, such a stress can even lead to cable damage. Swivel, i.e. swivel connectors, is used to avoid it. When driving a cable line, it is also necessary to keep the winner's appropriate setting, so after setting, it is worth anchored. An important element of preventing damage is an automatic stop, which turns off the drive when the maximum, permissible pulling force is exceeded.

An important parameter is also the permissible bending radius of the cable. Sometimes it is incorrectly identified with the radius of the cable curve of the cable trail, while both of these values differ. The permissible bending radius is a radius that must be preserved when running a cable line, when no longitudinal force works. It is taken into account, e.g. when introducing a cable to columns or switchgears.

The radius of the cable crew of the cable route is a radius of the cable deflection when the longitudinal force works on it, i.e. when pulling through the string. Cable rollers are used to avoid flexion at too sharp angle.

The cable pulling force is determined on the basis of several significant factors. Parameters such as:

• How to capture the cable (for a vein or behind the cable coating).
• Cable pull (individually for each vein, or for all veins in parallel).
• Angles and length of crews on the cable route.
• Adopted coefficient μ.
• Cable pull direction.

The permissible pulling force varies depending on the section of the cable route. It can be larger on straight parts of the line, and more caution should be exercised at excavations, culverts or creods. The ground is also taken into account, because each of them has different friction. Of course, the smallest is when driving through cable rollers. It increases slightly when the cables are run in PVC pipes, HDPE pipes or asbestos-cement pipes. If necessary, slipping materials are used.

Types of cable and rope drawers

The winches are used not only for cable, but also overhead lines. A rope winch is used with lines of this second type. These types of devices differ mainly in terms of load capacity. In addition, chain winches are used, which work well when lifting, moving and protecting charges, thanks to a durable steel structure.

In turn, electric, combustion, battery and hydraulic lines are used for laying cable lines. Different types of this type of machines are available, both compact and mounted on a trailer, which makes transport much easier. Even more advanced solutions, e.g. winches equipped with a dynamometer with a colorful touch screen or optional radio remote control, work with some investments.

Machines supporting the pushing of the cable, both electric, combustion or hydraulic, are also used. These types of devices work especially before creases, because they reduce the cable stress and prevent damage.