What is Armored Cable?

Whenever the question of building wiring is raised, one comes across the term 'Armoured Cables'. After all, what is armored cable and why is it so important for electrical wiring systems. Let's know about it.

Armored Cable Definition

Armored cable is a power cable made up by assembling two or more electrical conductors, generally held together with an overall sheath. This electrical cable with high protective covering is used for transmission of electrical power, especially for underground wiring needs. However, these cables may be installed as permanent wiring within buildings, buried in the ground, run overhead, or may even be kept exposed. They are available as single conductor cable as well as multi-conductor cables.

To be more precise, armored cables can be explained as electrical cables with stainless steel or galvanized wire wound over the conductors and insulation. They often have an outer plastics sheath for main distribution supply and buried feeders.

Why is Armored Cable Significant?

As can be made out from its name itself, armored cable is significant due to the ultimate protection it provides keeping in view the most risky job of electricity transmission. It acts as a circuit protective conductor (CPC) and thus provides earthing to the equipment supplied by the cable. However, its earthing capability has been a much debated subject.

Armoured Cable Earthing

A single conductor armoured cable does not have a ground wire. Its sheath is only for protection purpose. Therefore it is always recommended that one core armor cable should not be earthed on both ends. When both the ends are grounded, a "circulating sheath current" can flow between the armour, to ground then back to the armour. Grounding only one end is meant to allow bleeding of any voltage that might be induced into the sheath without creating a circulating current.

Single core armoured cables do not have magnetic fields generated by the other two phases. In a three phase cable, the sum value of the three magnetic fields is zero. In a single core cable, there is no "cancelling" effect and therefore a voltage will be induced in the armour by the magnetic field surrounding the conductor.

To prevent any kind of problem, a single conductor metallic armoured cable having lead, aluminum, stainless steel, steel or copper armors should be bonded to ground, usually at the source end, then isolated from ground along its length.

To know more about this power cable, read Armoured Cables

Electrical Industry In Limelight

The electrical industry is rapidly developing and reaching the heights. The electrical market is totally getting technological based industry. It fetters the occupations across electro-technology, communications, refrigeration, computer systems, air conditioning, and security systems. It creates an impact on every aspect of daily life.

The advancement in the electrical market has been so fast that the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association (AEEMA) conducted a survey in 2004–05. They analyzed and made a report which claims that there are around 30,000 people employed in electrical industry and are capable of generating revenue of $7.2 every year.

The electrical manufacturers, suppliers and other electronic companies individually hold their company and shares and they export electronic equipments of worth $3.6 billion every year. The association also realized that this industry may appeal for those who enjoy problem-solving and diagnosing faults, and have an eye for detail and methodical mindset and like keeping up with the latest technologies.

Spotlight On Electrical Industry

We introduce you some sectors of electrical industry

Electricians
The work of electricians is to install and fix essential items such as earthing accessories, electric Cords, electric fans, electric meters, electrical box, electrical cable, electrical plugs, electrical sockets, cable & wire fittings and much more. They also work in a range of high-tech environments in industrial, commercial and servicing areas.

Broadcast Technician
Broadcast technician specialists are employed by a variety of small, medium and large enterprises within the broadcast field. The technicians install, operate, maintain and repair communication devices, working on radio and television transmitters, line communication cables, computers, as well as broadcasting networks and equipment.

Consumer Electronics
These tradesman install, maintain, diagnose faults and repair consumer audio-visual, business and medical equipment and much more.

Computer Networking
This involves all together connecting computers to form local and wide area networks, faxes, modems and other methods of data transmissions.

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
These specialists oversee all aspects and are concerned with overall design, development and operation of machinery for domestic, commercial and industrial uses.

They are involved in installing, maintaining, fault-finding and repairing refrigeration, air-conditioning components, equipment and systems.


Training
According to a recent survey conducted of graduates in the Electrical field says, 99.5% people had wholly or partly achieved from their training. The most common job-benefits reported after training were:

- There was an increment in their earnings ie, almost 60%
- Almost 40% of them got the job.
- The status and promotion ratio got increased by 27%.

The majority believed that (99.5%) there training has been highly relevant or somewhat relevant to their current job.