Archive for the ‘Resistance’ category

PMA installs largest solar project in region

December 15th, 2011

The Swiss headquarters of PMA have recently undergone a transformation which puts them top of the bill when it comes to being green.

Solar panels installed upon PMA's headquarters make it the largest project of its kind in the Zurich highland region

Having begun the installation of almost 250 solar panels back in the autumn of 2011, the rooftop system at PMA’s main office in Uster, Switzerland, has revolutionised the building’s power supply.

The development is the largest of its kind in the Zurich highland region, with a whopping 241 panels installed, providing a surface area of around 400 square meters. This grand design has the capacity to supply 15 households with electrical power and PMA nylon cable protection systems have been incorporated into the project to aid its longevity and durability against the elements.

Forward-thinking PMA Manager, Bruno Krauer, first had the idea of fitting a solar energy system on top of the building back in 2006. After discussions with various installation companies, as well as the Swiss government authorities regarding the rate paid for energy fed into the network, by the beginning of 2011 all that remained was to convince the directors of PMA’s new owner Thomas & Betts that the investment was worthwhile.

Be-Netz, the largest and best-known company in the solar panel business, was chosen to implement the installation using PMA’s photovoltaic system, which had been designed to stand up against UV and weather exposure. Indeed, the product’s fire-resistant qualities also proved of great value, when the local building regulations office threatened to halt the project for fear of potential risks associated with voltage levels.

Philip Allington, PMA’s Application & Development Manager said:

“We are delighted with the solar system that has been successfully installed, particularly as it incorporates our specialist products, without which, this project would not have taken place.  The PMA multilayer conduit type XSOLL has impressed Be-Netz so much, they are now using the PMA conduit type for future installations.”

For more information, visit www.pma.ch or call Donna Clash at PMA’s UK head office on 01264 333 527 or email sales@pma-uk.com

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Posted in Cable protection, Company News, Eco-friendly, PMA products, Resistance, Thomas & Betts

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Running hot and cold?

September 7th, 2011

PMA products provide the solution for difficult desert conditions

Manufactured from high-grade, specially modified polyamide materials, PMA AG cable protection systems have triumphed in evaluations for their suitability for use in desert conditions.

PMA products excel in desert conditions

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cable protection systems, PMA have put their polyamide range of products to the test in some of the toughest conditions on the planet; from snow-topped mountain railways to pest-ridden environments – but now, PMA have one more box ticked, which supports the use of their products in many new areas.

Desert conditions present extremes of temperature, as well as an additional list of complications. In the day, dry, hot conditions can be expected with high UV exposure. At night, temperatures can sink far into minus figures. Add to this the need for a reliable, strong system which requires minimum maintenance and the search for a product to fit the bill can seem difficult.

PMA, however, have developed a broad range of systems which exhibit high resistance to UV, and remain unaffected chemically by either sand or salt. PA12 Black is one ‘super’ material which has been trialled under such conditions.

PMA has conducted a series of tests on their specially modified PA12 material to investigate the resistance of their polyamide conduits and fittings within a sand storm. The tests involved the use of a quartz sand blasting machine to simulate the extremities of such weather conditions. Conduits and fittings were subjected for 60 seconds to a jet of sand from such a machine at distances of 10cm and 20cm and at pressures of 4 bar and 6 bar.

With these tests designed to represent a far higher level of exposure than could ever be seen in the desert, the naturally occurring wind speeds and number of impacting grains of sand would be many factors lower in a real sand storm than simulated in this test. Since a real sand storm in the desert does not produce such intense local exposure at a single point and the grains of sand are likely to be much finer than the quartz sand used for the experiment, scientist concluded that a sand storm would be unlikely to cause any deterioration to PMA polyamide cable protection parts.

Philip Allington, PMA’s Application & Development Manager commented: “PMA PCS PA12 material has excellent abrasion and UV resistance characteristics. This conduit type is extremely tough and its material possesses very good damping characteristics. PCS will also resist well to the low humidity, which could cause some materials to become brittle. Combined with a high wall thickness, PCS is an ideal choice for applications in the desert.”

For more information, visit www.pma.ch or call Donna Clash at PMA’s UK head office on 01264 333 527 or email sales@pma-uk.com

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Posted in Cable protection, Extreme Weather Conditions, Hazardous Environments, PMA products, Protection From Rats, Rail, Resistance

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PMA products tough on termites

August 31st, 2011
Termites: known for their incredible ability to devour, the tiny insects have presented huge problems in countries such as Australia, America and Africa for centuries – but if you thought we were safe, think again. The threat of termite infestations in the UK is increasing, with recent reports showing that, despite a £190,000 eradication programme, the UK has its own 12 year-old colony which shows no sign of diminishing.

Termites present a potentially huge problem for Britain's railways if colony numbers grow

Although termites are commonly associated with the demolition of wooden structures, the insects also pose a threat to rail connections and wiring systems. Luckily for PMA, the company are pleased to report that their cable protection systems are one kind of conduit these little creatures won’t be munching on.
Renowned for their ability to destruct timber buildings, bridges and frames in record timings, termites can also present two separate dangers for cable protection materials: one chemical and one mechanical. PMA tests have discovered however, that polyamide has good resistance to formic acid as produced by termites and the surface hardness ensures that PMA products also withstand mechanical damage by such insects.
Philip Allington, PMA’s Application & Development Manager comments: “PMA products can and do protect cables against termite, insect and rodent attack. Presently used signalling cables possess two layers that have been used against such damage – the outermost nylon jacket serves as the primary protection, also serving as a mechanical protection and providing sufficient slipperiness. Secondly, the copper tapes are used as a shield against termite attack, whilst also provides electrical shielding for the cable.”
A new study examining the DNA sequences of five genes in the insects has unveiled large similarities between termites and a species of wood-eating cockroaches – leading to the bugs’ new classification of ‘social cockroaches’ by leading expert, Dr Paul Eggleton of the Natural History Museum.
With recent reports revealing that Britain’s only colony of termites has survived 12 years of attempts to wipe it out using chemicals, concerns of the potential damage which could be caused if numbers cannot be controlled are mounting. Scientists suspect the colony first came to the UK from the Canary Islands in a plant pot, and are at a loss on how to counteract the bugs’ resistance. In the meantime, polyamide presents an answer for installations on railways and industrial buildings: the perfect pest-proof solution for the protection of cables.
For more information, visit www.pma.ch or call Donna Clash at PMA’s UK head office on 01264 333 527 or email sales@pma-uk.com

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Posted in Cable protection, PMA products, Resistance, Termites

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