Many of today's heating and processing applications are powered by steam and hot water. The technology used for generating heat or process energy is called a boiler. As you may already know, boilers can be both a highly efficient and cost-effective solution for generating energy. One way to keep your boiler running efficiently is to make sure it is kept clean.

Most of us have a startling amount of tangled cables and connectors on, below, and behind our desks. Multiply that by a hundred or even a thousand, and you have a better idea of the cables and wiring that need to be managed for machinery in an entire manufacturing facility.

Wire and cable can be found all over a manufacturing facility. They are the life source of all power equipment and are required to fit in tight spaces, reach long distances, and still manage to not get in the way of day to day operations on the floor. The answer to all this cable chaos? Cable trays.

Cranes are essential to the steel-making process. They’re used for quick, safe loading and unloading of materials and they keep vehicles moving throughout the facility. Cranes also handle scrap or raw materials, liquid metal, and melting buckets. Constantly running, cranes are fully integrated into a steel mill’s processes. Here are the cranes used in the steel industry and the industrial power cables they require.

In order to maintain a safe shipyard, it should be guaranteed that workers keep their workplace clean and free of unnecessary tools and materials. While this goes for any working environment, it’s especially important for shipyards. The dangers of electrocution posed by electrical systems on ships and at shipyard shore facilities is significantly high and a cluttered workspace can lead to dangers posed by unseen damage to electrical cables. Both shipyard employers and employees must be fully aware of the variety of workplace hazards and dangers.

What is a Total Cost of Ownership?

A total cost of ownership (TCO) is the purchase price of a product plus the cost of operations. When calculating the total cost of ownership, it exemplifies the overall value of a product over time giving you a better idea of how much something is worth.

When gathering data to make a purchasing decision, buyers should not only consider the initial price of a product, but they should also consider the long-term price of a product which would be the TCO. The item with the lower total cost of ownership is the better value overall.

When it comes to an unexpected loss of power, finding yourself in reactive mode is not where you want to be. Being prepared is the only way to keep your plant fully operational in an unexpected power outage and the ability to deploy your own supplementary temporary power is now a possibility.

Insurance, an intangible protection from a loss, provides another intangible guarantee: peace of mind. Insurance is a safety net for when things go wrong and help manage a business’s risk. It is something that can go overlooked until tragedy strikes and you’re left with unexpected financial losses. Now think about VFD cables as your variable speed motor’s insurance policy. At TPC Wire & Cable we have a few VFD cables to offer: Super-Trex® VFD Shielded Cable, Trex-Onics® Low Capacitance VFD Shielded Power Cable and, Thermo-Trex® High Temp VFD Cable

Since 2001, CAT5e (Category 5 enhanced) has been the Ethernet cable of choice.  Operations have specified CAT5e for reliable network and industrial automation performance. After decades of using CAT5e, why would you change specifications? Ethernet cable standards have evolved and with advancing technology, the need for more bandwidth, faster speeds, and the ability to be compatible with CAT5e, improved Ethernet cables have been created. New options include CAT6, CAT6A, CAT7 or CAT7A Ethernet cables.

Whether you are new or a veteran welder, it’s important you know the differences of welding cable before starting a job. Welding cable can be a simple design. Copper strands make up the inside of the cable, while the outside is jacketed. The combination of copper stranding and jacket material, usually rubber, determines the cable’s flexibility and durability.

Last year was a time for growth and improvement at TPC Wire & Cable. From a year of successful advancement in acquisitions including CiCoil®, EZ Form Cable, and Pittsburgh Wire & Cable Inc. to working to expand into new markets as a company, we have accomplished a lot. Focus was not only on business success, but also our distinct culture that makes us stand out from the rest. 

THHN is the most popular type of building wire. As defined by the National Electric Code (NEC), its intended use is for construction. However, it's commonly specified by engineers in machine tools, control circuits, and some appliances. Read more to find out what the active ingredients in THHN wire are and why it may not be the best choice for the job.

TPC provides custom engineered solutions to solve some of our customer’s biggest problems. In some cases, our cables are relied upon to complete monumental tasks quickly and safely during every use. TPC has engineered a fully molded series 22 connector with patented locking systems to prevent the connector from pulling apart along with customized deployment solutions to meet the customer’s exact needs. These engineered solutions have brought success to many customers including those in the nuclear industry and in naval shipyards.

With a rising emphasis on safety protocols in facilities, many of the products and equipment used in manufacturing plants must undergo and pass rigorous testing procedures and maintain a long list of standards. For a wide range of markets, including food processing, petrochemical, transportation, and wood pulp and paper, parts strive to carry an IP69K rating.

What is an Industrial Bus?

In computing, a bus is referred to as a communication system that transfers data between components. An example would be a USB. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and many devices use this cable, connector, and protocol to interact with a computer.

Electric wire and cable systems are imperative to any industrial application. It's not only important to choose the correct cable for the job, it's crucial to understand the environment and the ampacity of your cable. A lack of understanding can cause your cables to fail and the entire system can come to a halt leaving you with costly downtime.