Turck introduces FOUNDATION fieldbus cables that don’t require conduit

Minneapolis, MN—Turck reports that its FOUNDATION fieldbus cable is now rated for open wiring. The company adds that it's presently the only manufacturer that has obtained this rating, which means the cables don't have to run through conduit.

By Control Engineering Staff December 21, 2004

Minneapolis, MN— Turck reports that its FOUNDATION fieldbus cable is now rated for open wiring. The company adds that it’s presently the only manufacturer that has obtained this rating, which means the cables don’t have to run through conduit. The rating applies to standard 490 and 496 cables that meet the specifications for fieldbus Type A physical media as defined by IEC 1158-2 and ISA-S50.02 standards.

Instrumentation tray cable (ITC) types provide a cost-effective alternative for installing transmitters in the field. The standard cables, with just a PVC jacket, can be installed as open wiring for up to 50 feet (15 meters). This type of open wiring installation is typically reserved for cables with metal clad (MC) armor.

Turck reports, however, that the construction of its new FOUNDATION fieldbus standard cable meets the crush and impact resistance required by UL 2250 open wiring. No conduit, armor cable, struts, angles, or channels are needed, which greatly simplifies field instruments.

In addition, Turck adds that NEC’s handbook for 2004 states that Article 727.4 (6) allows ITC cable to be used ‘as open wiring between cable tray and equipment in lengths not to exceed 15 m (50 ft) where the cable complies with the crush and impact requirements of Type MC cable and is identified for such use. The cable shall be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft).’

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com