We are inModular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of Tratos, has won the order to supply pre fabricated power and lighting distribution systems for multiple floors of the Shard. (Page 36)

Tratos, as part of a group tender, has been deliverying a four-year contract worth €49 million to supply superconducting wire for the world ITER reactor and the Japanese JT60SA. The superconducting Cable-In-Conduit will be used in the construction of magnets for these projects. ( Page 12)

Tratos Ltd, has won a £5 million order to supply special fire resistant cables for ConocoPhillips Phase 1 of the Jasmine discovery in the UK, Central North Sea. ( Page 22)

www.tt-magazine.com2012

TRATOS TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE - THE VOICE OF TRATOS INTERNATIONAL CABLE SALES DEPARTMENT

Investing for the future has secured our future Reflections loking back at this year

For many manufacturers across Europe 2011 was a bad year. In fact, it was bad year following on the back of a period of other, financially unstable years with an un-

clear future ahead. Not so for European cable manufacturer Tratos, which began to reap the benefits of its investment in its European manufacturing facilities in 2011 and is looking for-ward to the coming years with enthusiasm.Albano Bragagni, President of Tratos for over 35 years, has clearly been an influential figure in the history of the company and its success, but he is not the type of man to sit back and reflect on past glories: “In manufacturing you have to continu-ally strive for improvement in every aspect of your work. With low cost competition from the Far East and uncertain economic times, this has never been truer. We believe the key to success is to continually innovate - in our product R&D and in our manu-facturing processes - and to invest. For a European manufac-turer to not just survive, but to thrive, investment in people and plant is essential.

“The European manufacturing sector has suffered from lack of investment over the years. We invest our money to improve the quality of our output and quality of life for all of our employees. We hope other industries will follow our example and start to invest in manufacturing again.”Investment in manufacturing is at the heart of the Tratos group ethos. As part of a planned consistent growth, in 2009 Tratos completed a €6 million extension to its factory in Arezzo, Italy to house a new Continuous Vulcanisation line for completely dry curing of polymeric high voltage cables up to 132kV. More recently, in 2011 Tratos invested £1 million in equipment in its UK manufacturing facility in Knowsley, Merseyside to ensure its long term survival as one of the last remaining cable manufac-turers in the country.“This investment in quality European manufacturing is now reaping rewards,” states President Bragagni, “with faster, mod-ern machinery that enables us to compete with Far East on a competitive basis, but with a superior product offering manu-factured with serious environmental credentials.”As a result Tratos continues to win many impressive orders across a range of industries.One of the company’s key markets is oil and gas and Tratos has seen continued success in this sector with the highlight of 2011

being a several million order for specialist fire resistant cables for oil and gas industrial.Also in the energy sector, Tratos has been instrumental in the development of an innovative superconducting Cable-In-Conduit, for use in the construction of magnets for the world ITER reactor. Tratos processed the specialised superconduct-ing material, worth €50 million, at its plant in Pieve Santo Stefano in Italy, after which it was transported to Criotec (a specialist in components operating at extremely low temper-atures) near Turin for final assembly. In addition, the central tube of the superconductor will be produced by Tratos at its UK Knowsley, plant.“We are very excited to be involved in this ground breaking project” states President Bragagni. “From a business point of view, working with the Italian National Agency for New Tech-nologies (ENEA) and Criotec has placed Tratos on an interna-tional stage with high level competitors. Furthermore, the four year group contract worth €50 million has contributed to our financial success and stability.

EDITORIAL

Ing. Albano Bragagni

2

Investing for the future has secured our future Reflections loking back at this year

“On a wider note, this project is particularly exciting for us as it combines true innovation with sustainability. Tratos is excited to be playing a role in the development of new energy solu-tions.” The ITER project has been designed to explore the feasi-bility of energy production by controlled thermonuclear fusion, as opposed to fission which relies on a supply of uranium and thorium which are finite. “In terms of its sustainability, I believe fusion power is at least as environmentally friendly as tradition-al sources of renewable energy. Fusion energy doesn’t produce greenhouse gases because it does not burn anything to gen-erate electricity. Fusion power plants produce no gases such as nitrogen oxide or sulphur dioxide that could threaten our atmosphere by causing ground-level ozone formation, smog, and acid rain. Nor does fusion energy produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases suspected to cause global warming. The radioactive waste produced is minimal and well-contained, especially compared to fossil fuels. What’s more, fusion energy is an affordable and reliable economic choice; it has the lowest production cost of the major sources of electricity.”

Continued success in 2011 has also been witnessed by Tratos in the ports market, with a major contract awarded by Konecranes to supply 36 cranes’ cable lengths. The cranes have been pur-chased by Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) for an automated container yard system in the United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa Port. The new Port is being built over five phases, with an initial ca-pacity of two million TEU (containers) and eight million tons of general cargo.Tratosflex and Tratosgreen medium voltage rubber insu-lated and sheathed drum reeling cables are being used in Konecranes’ Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC). These cables have been designed to combat the common problem of twist-ing that affects cables reeling at high speed.

This same year, Tratos was delighted to host the Port Equip-ment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) Autumn 2011 Meeting in Bagno di Romagna, Italy in October. The 70 or so delegates attended the forum to discuss the valuable work and future role of PEMA and were invited to a tour of Tratos’ manufacturing fa-cilities as well as a number of evening events, culminating in a magnificent flag waving performance and a dinner of excep-tional Italian food and wine courtesy of Tratos. This, the second

Construction of high voltage testing facility in Italy due for complition by the end of this year

PEMA Autumn meeting to be held since the start of the associa-tion, was considered a great success by delegates.“2011 really has been an exceptional year for Tratos which is all the more remarkable given the current world wide economic down turn” states President Bragagni. “We have had to invest heavily prior to this and work very hard to achieve these results and will continue to do so to maintain our position as a world leading cable manufacturer.“A key part of this investment has been in the Tratos staff, to ensure we continue to attract the best designers, engineers and machinery operators. I would like to personally thank our new generation of forward thinking management that has made this possible. We believe this will place Tratos in a strong posi-tion for the future.”

3

Editors

Albano BragagniAlfredo GobbiAndrew SpyraCraig Ormsby

Daniele DoriDavid Frame

Domenico ValoriElena Fornacini

Elisabetta Bragagni CapacciniEnnio Bragagni Capaccini

Enrico Scambia George Middleton

George NaudiGermano Bragagni

Gianfranco CiviliJohn Light

Massimo SeriMaurizio Bragagni

Neil AncellPaul Farrell

Paolo BragagniPaolo Crescioli

Philip ZhaoRainer Pollmann

Sergio TroiliSilvano Notti

Vincenzo Bellini Trevor Habgood

INDEX

EDITORIAL - Investing for the future has secured our future 2FIRST PAGE - Tratos looks to the future 6RESEARCH - Tratos commitment in research 8SUPERCONDUCTING - News from “our” Superconductor 12CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 16ACI - Approved Cables Initiative 18OIL & GAS 20PORTS & MARITTIME 24PEMA - Port Equipment Manufacturers Association 28TELECOMMUNICATION 32MODULAR WIRING SYSTEM - Just plug it! 34AGENDA 38

INTRO

4

About TT-magazine

Tratos Technology ”TT” Magazine is the brainchild of Tratos Cavi’s international sales department. The goal is simple, to share knowledge and promote awareness of new and emerging technology in the cable industry. Literally to inform, educate and maybe even entertain.Our contributors are a cross-section of Tratos staff from across the world from England, Germany, China, Italy, Spain, combining their expertise and wealth of experience from a company with over 40 years of outstanding research, development and investment in cable making technology.TT Magazine is where Tratos will announce our latest developments in order to share our research with the world and offer the benefits of our cutting edge technology.We feel that the sharing of knowledge is vital to the ethical and responsible development of society. For over forty years Tratos have been developing the latest genera-tions of hi-tech cables whilst never compromising on either our responsibility to the environment or our respect for the ethics and ideals of humanity.It is with this in mind that TT Magazine is setting out to acknowledge the creation and development of new technology and how it can benefit people worldwide, to be one of the leading lights towards a brighter future.

ContactsPlease don’t hesitate to contact us if you need additional information on our company or our products.Tratos Ltd - School lane - Knowsley - Merseyside - L34 9HD - United Kingdomtel. +44 (0)1515 483888 - fax +44 (0)151 549 1169 - e-mail: ttmagazine@tratos.it

TOMMY TRATOS

5

Tratos cables has contributed to “illuminate”

the Olympic Games

“Tommy Tratos” is the very own cable wizard of Tratos, created by Sheffield’s world famous artist Pete Mckee. Pete McKee’s art lays bare the human side of working-class life. His inspiration is the vividly remembered places and characters of his youth in the ’60s and ’70s – the days when everyone had a cigarette on the go and working men’s clubs were full of working men (and occasionally their wives). And when holidays meant fish and chips on the seafront at Skegness. Pete has already achieved legendary status in his native Sheffield, where his evocation of place and time has fired the imagination of the Steel City. And yet it’s much more than local nostalgia, as a growing worldwide reputation attests. One of Pete’s recurring themes is pop music, pop culture and fashion, and its impact on Great Britain’s youth – all beautifully observed. It was an achingly perfect portrayal of a bedroom guitar-playing dreamer that caught the attention of Noel Gallagher,among others.

Pete is a self-taught artist who includes Hergé, Edward Hopper and Patrick Caulfield among his inspirations. With an economical modernist style that owes much to the dues he paid for years as a spare-time jobbing cartoonist, there isn’t an artist from any era who can convey so much character with so few lines. And the bold uniform fields of colour and dramatic shading echo the greatest graphic artists of the 20th century. Pete’s best paintings are true contemporary works of art. Pete only began creating colour canvases five years ago. But he got it very right first time and began to exhibit his work. Within four years he was enjoying sell-out solo shows and receiv-ing commissions from the likes of Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and 20th Century Fox.

See examples of his work at: www.therealmckee.co.uk - e-mail: pete@therealmckee.co.uk

FIRST PAGE

T he past five years has seen European cable manufactur-er Tratos invest heavily in both its existing business and in two key acquisitions, namely North West Cables Ltd.

and subsidiary Modular Wiring System Ltd. in the UK.

The deal grew the Tratos group to £30 million in the UK and €150 million with 350 employees worldwide. It provided – and continues to provide – Tratos with a strategic foundation from which to further develop both its client base and manufactur-ing output. The acquisition of the Modular Wiring Systems busi-ness has had the added advantage of putting Tratos at the fore-front in this area which is based on a rapidly and easily installed modular sub-circuit distribution system prefabricated off-site. All this at a time when many companies are downsizing in the UK to manufacture elsewhere, often in areas with less ethical employment policies than those operating in Europe.

In line with its strategic growth plans, Tratos has continued to explore suitable electric cable companies for acquisition across the UK, but with little investment placed in UK manufacturing in recent years this option has ultimately proved to be finan-cially unappealing.

John Light explains: “When we purchased North West Cables in 2008, we knew the company and its facilities required modern-ising, which we were fully prepared for. Last year alone we in-vested £1 million in the Merseyside manufacturing facility, pri-marily on equipment, including a new £450,000 drum twister and two refurbished extrusion lines, but also on making major improvements to the aged buildings.

“Sadly this state of degeneration in UK cable manufacturing is the norm. With the ongoing financial crisis across Europe, this situation is unlikely to improve; if anything, we are seeing a fur-ther demise of companies in the manufacturing heartlands of the UK. To continue with a policy of acquisition in this climate would not be financially feasible or shrewd.”

But it’s not just the poor state of cable manufacturing in the UK that has led Tratos to a change of strategy. “In mainland Europe

it is the norm for the electrical industry to work closely with cable manufacturing companies to ensure traceability, quality product and engineering support” states John Light. The re-alisation that this is not the case in the UK came as a revelation and a disappointment. “I am dismayed at the UK industry cul-ture of buying from the cheapest possible sources with little or no regard for quality and, ultimately, safety, despite the widely advertised Approved Cables Initiative. This practise is com-mon knowledge and was even reported on the national BBC television programme Fake Britain which highlighted the issue of counterfeit cables.

“This is not a problem that can be overcome by one single manufacturer. We work closely with organisations such as the non-profit making Government-nominated body British Ap-provals Service for Cables (BASEC), which is a recognised sign of assurance of independent cable testing and approval. We con-

Tratos looks to the futureJohn Light, Director of Tratos Ltd, explains the company’s plans for future growth.

John Light

6

tinue to highlight the importance of BASEC approved cable and the dangers – some of them life threatening – of buying cheap, poorly made cables.”

“It is this combination of lack of investment in UK manufactur-ing and an industry culture of ‘cheap is best’ that has led us to the decision to alter our strategy away from acquisition in the UK, to instead focus on internal investment. We will look to in-vest in improving equipment and overall efficiency for our spe-cialist markets and modernise existing machinery where pos-sible for our more standard product lines.” It’s the company’s specialist products where Tratos’ innova-tion and commitment to quality have seen the greatest return. These include specialist cables for the nuclear, oil and gas, de-fence, fusion and energy sectors. The company has won many

MILESTONES

T ratos was set up in the 1966 from the dream of Ing. Egidio Capaccini. TRATOS is the acronym for TRA (tra-fileria) and TOS (Toscana) Tuscany Drawing mills.

1974: the founder passed away and Ing. Albano Bragagni be-came the president of the company.

1978: Tratos started the production of Copper Telecommunica-tion Cables and Instrumentation Cables for Telephone Compa-nies and for Petroleum Engineering Companies.

1980: Tratos developed, inhouse, Thermoplastic and Elasto-meric compounds with low smoke zero halogen material. Tra-tos set up Tramet, a dedicated factory to produce insulation and sheathing compound process Medium Voltage and Low Voltage compounds, halogen free, flame retardant, oil resistant, fire resistant, semi-conductive compounds.

In the 80’s Tratos became the leader for production of cables for the telecommunication market. 1981: Tratos set up its own presence in the UK with Tratos Ltd (as a distribution and sales company).1987: began production of fibre-optical cables for Italian and foreign markets.

In the 90’s Tratos began production of Medium Voltage Cables and established a new factory for Medium Voltage Cables in Catania. Tratos also expanded to become one of the major ca-ble suppliers for: Telecommunications, Energy, Trains, Transport and Infrastructure, oil and gas, Petrochemical plants and indus-try, mining and tunnelling and Fire resistant cables.

large, prestigious orders over recent years for niche products in these areas, such as a €1 million contract to for the Daura Re-finery in Baghdad and has been involved in ground breaking technology such as the development of an innovative super-conducting Cable-In-Conduit, for use in the ITER reactor ther-monuclear fusion project.

“This is where our real strength lies and where we see our future” explains John, “in niche markets requiring specialist, quality cabling. These products require modern, sophisticated production facilities with fully trained personnel, not patched up monolithic factories with an unskilled, de-motivated labour force. We firmly believe the key to continued success is innova-tion and quality and we intend to fully support this with ongo-ing investment in our existing facilities.”

2000: The third generation of the family joined the company: Ennio Bragagni Capaccini became deputy chairman of Tratos, which then approached the production of umbilical cables for oil & gas related applications in partnership with the Brazilian company MFX.

2002: Tratos opened “Cables Tailor Made” a special division of Tratos Cavi S.p.A. Working with their customers, Cables Tailor Made was able to offer custom designed and built solutions for the most demanding of circumstances. Using their 40 years of cable design and construction experience Tratos was able to examine the challenges facing their customers and bring to-gether their expertise and cutting edge technology to provide the ideal tailor made solution.

2008: Tratos created Tratos Cavi Iberica,to develop the Span-ish market. Tratos Ltd acquired North West Cables Ltd, a UK cable manufacturing company in Knowsley, Merseyside and their subsidiary Modular Wiring Systems Limited, syn-onymous with creative innovation in both high and low level power distribution systems.Tramet has been merged in Tratos HV. Tratos opened branch offices in Germany and China.

2009: Tratos also approached the production of H.V. cables and established a new factory for H.V. cables in Pieve Santo Stefano.

2010: Innauguration of Modular Academy.

2012: Modular Wiring Systems has opened its office in Dubai.Installation of high voltage testing facility in Italy.

7

Tratos is pleased to announce the launch

of an innovative new MV Overhead Bare

Conductor made with annealed aluminium

extruded around a supporting steel core. The

conductor has been developed in conjunction

with Italy’s largest power company Enel SpA,

Cesi Ricerca SpA and De Angeli Prodotti SpA

as a cost-effective alternative to standard

Overhead Conductors. With the cost of copper

and aluminium base metals having risen

dramatically during the past decade and set to

continue, traditional Overhead Conductors are

becoming increasingly expensive and are also

prone to theft. The new MV Overhead Bare

Conductor developed by Tratos and its partners

does not use copper, bringing the cost down.

In fact the new Overhead Conductor has wide

ranging cost benefits as not only does it come at

a lower price point, but in line operational and

end of life dismantling costs are reduced.

Even with this cost benefit, the new

Overhead Conductor retains high

performance levels, with the ability to meet

increased power demands, seasonal power

peaks and backup of faulty feeders, thus

improving network flexibility.

Other key advantages of the new Overhead

Conductor include a considerably reduced

carbon footprint during manufacture and

resistance to vandalism due to its unusual

structure. This structure makes it difficult to

extract the aluminium and the lack of copper

contained in it also make it less appealing to

potential thieves

Tratos commitment in research

RESEARCH

TRATOS ANNOUNCES NEW COST-EFFECTIVE OVERHEAD CONDUCTOR

8

STOP THIEF! TRATOS THEFT PREVENTION MEASURES FOR CABLE

With copper worth more than two and half times its cost in 2009, the theft of copper cables has soared alongside the price. Organised gangs – sometimes

using stolen BT vans to disguise their actions – are stealing the cable to strip out the copper and sell. In the process they are disabling crucial communications, including the emergency 999 services, railway signalling and even air-traffic control sys-tems. Thieves stealing or damaging railway cables cost Net-work Rail £3.5m compensation for train operators in the North East and Yorkshire alone in the financial year 2008/9 - up by £1.7m on the previous year.

But the cost is not the only problem, as theft or damage to ca-bles could ultimately lead to loss of life. At the very least it re-sults in major inconvenience.

Cable manufacturer and supplier Tratos Ltd. has been working with rail and telecoms companies to reduce the incidences of cable theft and has a range of solutions aimed at both deterring thieves and helping police identify stolen cable.

Tratos now provides a range of options to make cable theft less profitable for the thief and traceability of the stolen cable easier for the police, with the added bonus of deterring metal mer-chants from receiving what are effectively stolen goods.

The first option is to limit the cost of the cable, making it a less attractive proposition for the would-be thief. This can be achieved using aluminium rather than copper as a conductor, as aluminium has less scrap value (stealing 1000 metres of ca-ble is about 75% less profitable!). Alternatively, aluminium clad

steel conductors – very difficult to separate for scrap and hence very low value - can be used, sheathed or unsheathed for over-head use.

The second option from Tratos is to improve the traceability of stolen conductor through marking. Tratos offers a range of marking services, from printing or embossing the sheath with “Property of ...client name...” and even an Action Line number if required and can emboss both copper and aluminium conduc-tors on strand sizes above 2mm diameter.

For even greater security, Tratos can incorporate an identity thread or strand registered to a specific manufacturer. The thread option involves Tratos placing the thread amongst the copper or aluminium strands. The strand option allows for a 2mm or larger strand to be placed in smaller sized cables and make the rest up to the required resistance/conductor size with smaller wires. With both options, even if the cable was burned or stripped down to the metal, identification would still be possible.

The ultimate in theft deterrent though has to be alarmed cable. Tratos can manufacture cable with a single fibre run amongst the copper conductor which would activate an alarm when cut and even, by use of an OTDR, identify the location of the cut . This would help the police with response time to the location and also help to make a repair to the length to lessen the down-time. A similar result could be obtained with a copper pair built into the cable.

But it’s not all about the product. Tratos works closely with con-tractors to ensure that cable drums arrive at set times to coin-cide with installation, and stock is available for call off, not in compounds. It should also be noted that the cable is ordered in the right quantities so that surplus is not left lying around.

Tratos commitment in research

9

10

RESEARCH

TRATOS MICROCABLE

Tratos has launched the innovative and cost-effective Tra-tos Microcable solution for Open Settlement Protocol (OSP) applications in the Broadband market.

Tratos Microcable contains a high-fibre density yet is exceptionally compact and lightweight, thus maximising the fibre count available in a small cable diameter. It is produced in stranded loose tube design and is available in fibre counts from 144 up to 192, with outer diameters ranging between 4.0 and 7.5mm; in fact, the 7.5mm Tratos Microcable incorporating 192 fibres is actually the smallest such cable in the world today.

Even with the maximum number of fibres incorporated, Tratos Microcable remains flexible (it has a minimum bending radius of 15 x outer diameter without tension) and lightweight enough for air-blown installation in very small ducts or sub ducts using Tratos Microduct. Furthermore, Tratos Microcable requires fewer joints in installation, providing reduced resistance when being passed through the ducting.

As a result, Tratos Microcable is ideal for installations where duct space is at a premium and has the added benefit of being easy to handle and install. It also provides a simple, neat and commercially viable solution to upgrade a network at a later date as fibre is simply deployed as and when needed.Tratos Microcable can be used in operating temperatures of -30°C/+60ºC. It has been designed and manufactured to IEC 60794.

NEW BS 8436:2011 TRATOS CABLE PROVIDES COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ARMOURED CABLE

Electric and fibre optic cable manufacturer Tratos has launched a new BS 8436:2011 low voltage cable for in-stallation in partition walls and behind plaster. The new

cable is a cost-effective alternative to traditional conduit wiring and small sizes of armoured cable.A multi-core wiring cable with an aluminium screen directly under the outer sheath, the new 300/500V Tratos cable was put through its paces during a Nail Penetration Test. The purpose of the test is to determine whether the metallic screen will carry the fault current required for a protective de-vice to operate within a given time if the cable is penetrated by a nail or similar fixing. The requirement of the standard is that when six samples of the completed cable are tested, there shall be no failure of any sample at the selected test current. The new Tratos cable passed with flying colours.

FTTH - ‘FIBRE TO THE HOME’

Tratos Ltd. has launched a new series of FTTH optical ca-bles especially designed for use inside buildings to con-nect individual properties.

Optimised for brownfield construction networks, the new FTTH cables run vertically from the bottom to the top of the building, and one or more of the cables in the bundle can be branched off at any point and connected to the end user. A reduced amount of connectivity points (splices, connectors) reduces the installation time, thereby minimising disruption for residents.

The cables themselves are highly flexible, even with the added protective reinforcement designed into the cable, allowing the horizontal drop cables to be easily pulled through existing ducts without any damage. This is further aided by their small diame-ter and miniaturised cable accessories, making them suitable for installation in small conduits and building floor access points.

Flexibility is also extended to installation as the new Tratos FTTH cables provide a simple solution for many different in-stallation systems, including using compressed air to blow into pre-installed tubes, and for many different building types.

With the addition of the FTTH cables, Tratos can now offer a complete indoor fibre optic solution. Considering the increas-ing development of broadband services, Tratos believes this type of cable will be one of the most rapidly developing sectors in the next few years.

11

STOP ASKING FOR CE CERTIFICATION!

Maurizio Bragagni, Export Director of European cable manufacturer Tratos, explains what CE marking really means, why it is important and how to avoid cable

that uses the CE logo illegally. On a regular basis we get asked for CE certification on our cables. Not one of our cables is CE certified. In fact, no cable is CE certified. To go one step further, not a single product anywhere in the world in CE certified! Surprised? Well you shouldn’t be as CE certification doesn’t exist. CE marking exists, but CE certification doesn’t.

Despite what you might think, I’m not being pedantic here. There is an important point to be made and one the European Commission has been actively addressing over recent months.

Although CE marking has been in place for over 15 years, many people in the electrical industry don’t understand what it stands for, either assuming it is a label indicating the prod-uct to which it applies has been made for the European mar-ket, or thinking it is a form of certification relating to the qual-ity of the product. It is neither of these things.

The letters CE stand for “Conformité Européenne” which means “European Conformity”. CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European Directives. In the case of the electric cable indus-try, it is the Low Voltage Directive. This applies to all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating up to 1000V AC or up to 1500V DC.

Before a cable manufacturer can sell its products in the EU, the manufacturer must have their product tested, and assemble a technical file detailing the standards, specifications and man-ufacturing controls they have applied. If the cable conforms to a European harmonised standard there is a presumption of conformity to the Directive. The technical file must be held within the EU, so this means that it should be supplied to each importer and held by them. If based within the EU, the man-ufacturer holds the technical file. The technical file must be held for a number of years after the product was last supplied.

In addition, the manufacturer must prepare an EC Declara-tion of Conformity in the prescribed format, and affix the CE mark to the product or packaging. Wholesalers and dis-tributors have a duty to ensure that the cable product they supply satisfies safety requirements and that it bears the CE marking.

By affixing the CE marking on a product, a manufacturer is de-claring conformity with all relevant legal requirements. They are confirming to regulatory authorities and end users that the product is compliant with the directive, making it eligible to be distributed and sold throughout the EU.

So, CE marking is not a form of certification in itself, but proof that the product complies with the relevant European Directive.But then again, that’s not always case. It’s not always the case because a number of unreputable cable manufacturers and

importers use CE marking illegally. Their cable does not con-form to the Low Voltage Directive but they mark it with the CE logo regardless. British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), a non-profit making Government-nominated body that is a recognised sign of assurance of independent cable testing and approval, has seen many such CE counterfeiting across Europe: “Many organisations do not hold the required docu-mentation. Some products may be CE marked but the manu-facturer has not performed the required testing or safety as-sessment”.

Using such cable can be extremely dangerous as it may lead to any number of incidents, from life threatening electrocution to damaged equipment and failure of services.

So what can you do to ensure the cable you purchase genu-inely conforms to the Low Voltage Directive and is suitable for use in Europe?

BASEC recommend you ask for the EC Declaration of Conform-ity for a start. For convenience many cable manufacturers hold these on their websites for download.

When buying pre-cut lengths of cable, such as larger ar-moured cables, any product supplied should be CE marked on delivery packaging or on the product; check both. As a further precaution, look for a recognisable or known manufacturer’s identification on a cable, so if there is a problem it will be pos-sible to trace the cable back through the supply chain. With-out a manufacturer’s stamp it is nearly impossible to trace the cable, therefore never accept cable with no markings. For peace of mind, you should also insist on an independent third-party approved cable such as BASEC or HAR marked. It is also important to specify on your order the relevant standard number the cable should conform to.

CE marking many not seem that interesting a subject and it’s something you may not have paid much attention to in the past, but its importance as a confirmation that the product meets the Low Voltage Directive and is suitable for use within Europe shouldn’t be underestimated. Just making a few sim-ple checks that the cable you purchase has CE markings and, just as importantly, checking they are not counterfeit could literally save lives.

ICAS, is the acronym for Italian Consortium

for Applied Superconductivity. In such a

name is condensed the main mission of the

consortium, which is the development of

the innovative technologies associated with

power applications of Superconductivity.

Charter members of the ICAS company

are ENEA, the Italian National Agency for

New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable

Economic Development, CRIOTEC Impianti

S.r.l. owning a high expertise in cryogenics,

and TRATOS Cavi S.p.A, a firm leader at an

international level in cabling power cable,

optical fibers and much more.

ICAS operates in Superconductivity

and Cryogenics R&D, mainly in the

design, manufacturing and testing

of superconducting conductors, coils,

large and high field magnets and other

superconducting devices.

These purposes are the natural development

of the scientific and technological knowledge

owned by the promoting group, constituted

by ENEA researchers involved in such topics

since decades.

SUPERCONDUCTING

News from “our” Superconductor

13

News from “our” Superconductor

NEWS FROM ICAS

After driving through the night, the oversize truck pulls up in the early May dawn at the ASG facilities in La Spezia, Italy. The special delivery, a wooden square box with 5-metre dimen-sions, contains a large spool around which the eagerly antici-pated dummy of a 760 m long copper conductor is wound.The ICAS and F4E teams in front of the first TF conductor pro-duction length. The dummy is a mockup of the ITER conduc-tors. These conductors will each be used in the toroidal field coils to carry 68,000 amps of electrical current in order to pro-duce the magnetic field which confines and holds the plasma in place. In total, 19 superconducting conductor lengths (each measuring 760 m) and 8 conductors (each measuring 415 m) will be produced.

Although the final components will consist of superconduct-ing materials, the dummy is made only of copper strands which have been plaited together (cabled) and inserted into a jacket in order to form a round conductor with a diameter of 44 mm. Nonetheless, the dummy package weighs an impressive 13 tons. Because of its large dimensions, it is only transportable during certain hours of the night after other traffic has been cleared.The ICAS and F4E teams in front of the first TF conductor pro-duction length.The dummy was manufactured for the European Domestic Agency F4E by ICAS, an Italian consortium consisting of the Ital-ian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustain-able Economic Development (ENEA), Criotec, and Tratos Cavi. The next steps of the process will be undertaken by ASG, part of the Iberdrola consortium (which includes Iberdrola and Elytt), F4E’s toroidal field coil supplier and the company to which the dummy was delivered. The copper dummy length will be used for the commissioning of the toroidal field coil winding line.

In recent months, two additional toroidal field lengths made from superconducting strand were manufactured, thus com-pleting the qualification phase during which both tooling and manufacturing procedures are verified. These conductor lengths are expected to be shipped to La Spezia by the end of the summer.On May 15, the fabrication of the first production toroidal field conductor length was completed at Criotec: this length is the first conductor which will be inserted into the ITER machine. In the coming two years, 26 additional toroidal field lengths will be fabricated and supplied by ICAS.

by Samina Shamsie, Fusion For EnergyFor more information: www.iter.org

THE INTERNATIONAL THERMONUCLEAR EXPERIMENTAL REACTOR (ITER)

T he International Thermonuclear Experimental Re-actor (ITER) project represents the next step in the de-velopment of fusion energy. ITER will be the first fusion

plant to have almost the same dimensions as a conventional electric power station; the mission of ITER is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion as an energy source. The detailed design of the reactor has been thoroughly tested on the basis of intense R&D activities carried out by hun-dreds of researchers and technicians at numerous research cen-tres, universities and industries all over the world.The European Union, Japan, Russian Federation, United States, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and India signed officially (at Moscow on 28th June 2005) the agreement to realize ITER. The construction began in 2007 at the European site of Cadarache in the south of France. ITER has double the linear dimensions of JET and will generate 500 MW of fusion power for times of about 15-30 minutes. It will use and test in an integrated way all the key components required for the operation of a fusion reactor.• The fundamental elements of ITER physics have been

successfully demonstrated in experiments performed for a wide range of plasma parameters, reasonably extrapo-lated to the plasma regimes of ITER.

• he realisation of ITER, and particularly some of the key components, requires innovative technologies, whose fea-sibility has been analysed and tested on prototypes during the R&D activities carried out in the last ten years.

ENEA’s Fusion Division participates in the design of ITER through the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA) and has made substantial contributions in the fields of superconductiv-ity, plasma-facing components, neutronics, safety, remote han-dling and physics.Antonio della Corte - Copyright © ENEA-Fusion

         

ENEA, the ICAS leader, holds a unique background in manufac-turing superconducting cables and conductors for fusion ap-plication. Its know-how has been built in more than 20 years of activity in this field, making ENEA Superconductivity Responsi-ble, Antonio della Corte (who is also the ICAS Project Manager), one of the most reliable expert in the world for the design and production of superconducting magnet and conductor for fu-sion application.

All the above mentioned samples have been successfully tested in the SULTAN facility.ICAS won the international tender and has been awarded of the contract by F4E for the Supply of ITER PF and TF conductors and JT-60SA TF conductor (Call for tender F4E-2008-OPE-18(MS-MG)). The contract has been signed on December 9th, 2010, for the Supply of about 18km of ITER TF conductor, about 20km of ITER PF conductor and about 26km of JT-60SA TF conductor.

Contact details:ICAS (Italian Consortium for Applied Superconductivity) S.c.r.lc/o ENEA, C.R. Frascati, Via E. Fermi 4500044, Frascati (RM) - Italyphone: +39 06 9400 5720 fax: +39 06 9400 6119e-mail: icas@icasweb.comwebsite: www.icasweb.com

SUPERCONDUCTING

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SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

P ROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY STATUS – Superconductiv-ity is the ability of certain metals, alloys and ceramic materials to

let electrical current flow with no electrical resistance and en-ergy dissipation. Superconductivity appears at below a certain(critical) temperature, which is between 30K and 120K (-243°C and -153°C) for high-temperature superconductors (HTS) andbelow 20K (-253°C) for the low-temperature superconductors (LTS). Superconducting properties disappear if the temperaturerises above the critical value, but also in the presence of high current density or strong external magnetic fields. [...]

Kaname Ikeda, ITER Director-GeneralAntonio della Corte - Simonetta Turtù - Copyright © ENEA-Fusion

FUSION TECHNOLOGIES

T he technological research and development activities carried out to validate the International Thermonu-clear Reactor (ITER) and demonstrate reactor feasibility

cover a wide range of multidisciplinary areas. The work requires considerable extrapolation with respect to the state of the art as well as a lot of systematic integration.

The most important and strategic areas are:• high heat-flux components (vacuum&surface technologies,

plasma-wall interaction),• advanced materials,• neutronics,• remote maintenance (mechanical apparatus),• fuel cycle (membrane reactor),• design methods (nuclear and thermo-mechanic),• electromagnetics,• analyses on the safety and environmental impact of fusion

(fundamental to demonstrating the advantages of fusion to the public).

The fusion technologies developed at the Frascati laboratory and in collaboration with other ENEA laboratories cover all the areas mentioned above. Since the mid-1980s ENEA has provid-ed significant contributions to the European Fusion Programme and has successfully promoted the involvement and collabora-tion of Italian industries.Antonio della Corte - Copyright © ENEA-Fusion

THE INTERNATIONAL ITER PROJECT FOR FUSION: WHY?

I TER is a large-scale scientific experiment that aims to dem-onstrate that it is possible to produce commercial energy from fusion.

The Q in the formula on the right symbolizes the ratio of fusion power to input power. Q ≥ 10 represents the scientific goal of the ITER project: to deliver ten times the power it consumes. From 50 MW of input power, the ITER machine is designed to produce 500 MW of fusion power - the first of all fusion experi-ments to produce net energy.During its operational lifetime, ITER will test key technologies necessary for the next step: the demonstration fusion power plant that will prove that it is possible to capture fusion ener-gy for commercial use. The science going on at ITER - and all around the world in support of ITER - will benefit all of mankind.

To understand the ITER project in its myriad technical, scientific, and organizational details is not an easy task. Nevertheless, it is one of our key goals to make the project as accessible and under-standable as possible, by providing a wide range of information, and introducing you to some of the people who have come from all over the world to build ITER. I do hope that you will enjoy learning more about the ITER project. (Kaname Ikeda, ITER Director-General)

15

Tratos social responsibility

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Tratos Cavi aim to work closely with customers to find better, more environmentally friendly

solutions to their challenges. We are committed in our vision and strategy to serve all our

internal and external customers by providing high quality services and products.

Tratos Cavi is an established industry leader in the design, manufacture and supply of cables

and products and to maintain this leading position we are committed at every level to providing

our customers with quality services and products at a competitive price. As a commercial

enterprise we are aware of the importance of satisfying our customers and of the financial

impact of which nonconformities may have on our profitability.

For these reasons we are committed to complying with all

customer requirements and specifications and both legal

and statutory requirements, as a minimum.

In order to continually improve the effectiveness

of our Quality Management System we are

periodically certified to the stringent requirements

of ISO 9001: 2008.

Realising the fundamental importance of

external certification, Tratos Cavi gained ISO9002

certification back in 1987. Awarded by BASEC, one of the

world’s most prestigious approval bodies, by 1993 the updated

ISO 9001 standard was implemented and certified. Tratos was the

first cable manufacturer to receive environmental approval from

BASEC (BA2250:1996-2) and also has approval from several other

independent bodies.

16

A CONTRIBUTE FOR DISTANCE SUPPORT PROGRAM OF AVSI

Tratos contributes to the distance support program of AVSI, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation. This offers an actual possibility to overcome situations of ex-

treme need and to enhance personal talents.Distance support contributes to improve the daily life of chil-dren and adolescents, without uprooting them from their fam-ily, social and cultural contexts. These calendars have been painted by children involved with the distance support program in Kenya.For more information or to contribute to the activity of AVSI please visit the web site www.avsi.org

TRATOS SUPPORTS STUDENTS

Tratos Cavi has sponsored ‘Premio Capaccini’ for the 16th year running, awarding the best high school and secondary school students in the vicinity of its head-

quarters in Pieve Santo Stefano, Tuscany, Italy with cash prizes. The winning students who graduated with the highest marks were for the Secondary School Giulia Cheli, Sofia Livi (cum Laude), Costanza Magiotti and Veronica Ricci. For the High School Federico Baldassarri, Azzurra Bigioli, Francesco Cala-bresi, Beatrice Venturi.The award is in memory of Egidio Capaccini, the founder of Tra-tos Cavi spa. Following WWII, Egidio Capaccini left the physi-cally and economically devastated Southern Tuscany for Ar-gentina where he was employed in a factory making cables, eventually becoming manager of the factory. In the early 1960s Egidio returned to Italy, using his experience to establish Tratos Cavi. Employees were drawn from the remnants of the textile industry that had once flourished in Southern Tuscany as their experience proved useful when it came to covering the cables with textile, as was the practise at that time.Since then Tratos has grown to become an international cable manufacturer of repute, selling an extensive range of cables to 52 countries worldwide with manufacturing facilities in Italy and the UK. It remains a family owned business to this day, with Albano Bragagni as President – Egidio’s brother in law. Strong ties remain with IMSA, the factory in Argentina where it all started.

HELPING TO PROMOTE OUR TUSCANY

T ratos Cavi has produced a colour booklet celebrating the beautiful Valtiberina valley in Tuscany where it has operated its manufacturing facility for over 40 years.

The 32 page ‘Discover Valtiberina’ guide explains the geology, flora and fauna of this picturesque valley, along with the hu-man history dating back to the Palaeolithic period through the Bronze Age, Etruscan and Romans, Renaissance and right up to the present day. It examines the impact man has had in the region, including the building of the Montedoglio dam, as well as the many towns and villages, the most notable of which is the ancient town of Pieve Santo Stefano.As you might expect, local cuisine and craft feature in the guide, including dishes typical of the region, lace making and cigar production.Whilst the region is steeped in history, the inhabitants of the Valtiberina valley are very much in the present day. The val-ley is home to a number of industries, the largest of which is Tratos, which has two manufacturing plants employing 300 people, with a turnover well in excess of 150 million Euros.The new ‘Discover Valtiberina’ Guide has been a labour of love for Dr Maurizio Bragagni, Export Director of Tratos: “Tratos is a family owned business and we are proud of our cultural herit-age and the beautiful setting of the valley. We want to encour-age visitors to the area and help local businesses in the proc-ess. We hope the Guide helps in achieving that by showing the highlights, whether it be the regional cuisine and local crafts, the scenery or some of the many festivals we are home to.”

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TRATOS LTD IS PLEASED TO BE A PART OF ACI INITIATIVE AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BCA

T he ACI (Approved Cables Initiative) formed, led by the BCA (British Cables Association) is an initiative involving the whole cable systems supply chain from end to end

– from manufacturer through installer to end user.  To ensure that the cables systems and products purchased and installed throughout the UK are safe, fit for purpose and fully compliant with the requisite specifications, standards and approvals. It is estimated that 20% of cable products in the supply chain are non-approved, unsafe or counterfeit.These products directly undermine UK and European Approval Standards and create major risks for the Industry and the UK community. If you have a concern regarding a cable that you think may be not to standard or indeed may be counterfeit, you can send it to us here at Tratos Limited and we will have the cable investigated.Copyright © ACI - www.aci.org.uk

Approved Cables Initiative Ltd. Bermuda House, 45 High Street, Hampton Wick, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 4EH tel: 020 8946 6978, fax: 020 8946 6978, e-mail: enquiries@aci.org.uk

The Approved Cables Initiative has

been established to address the issue of

unsafe, non-approved and counterfeit

cable entering the UK marketplace. The

first initiative of its kind in the electrical

industry the ACI is direct in its approach

to investigate and publicise the findings

of cables found to be faulty, counterfeit

or non-compliant with British, European

or International Standards.

APPROVED CABLES INITIATIVE

TESTING TIME FOR THE CABLE INDUSTRY

T he British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) is step-ping up its scrutiny and testing of cables on the market in the UK, with the active support of the British Cables

Association (BCA).BASEC purchases a range of products from the open market to check conformity.  End users also approach BASEC when they experience problems with cable they have purchased.  On test-ing, many of these are found not to comply with British Stand-ards, and some could be considered as dangerous.As part of its rigorous procedures, BASEC conducts a full range of tests on manufacturers’ products and regularly re-tests them to ensure that manufacturing processes remain robust and consistent.

The number of cases of non-compliant cable on the market in the UK is growing and there are examples of potentially dan-gerous products being uncovered.Dr Jeremy Hodge, Chief Executive of BASEC, said: “Non-com-pliant cables may cause problems for installers during instal-lation, or suffer reduced life expectancy.  Worryingly, we are seeing more examples of cables which could be a danger to end users either through electrocution or fire.” He feels that contractors are not looking at the risks inher-ent in installing faulty cable to the people, premises or their own businesses.  This issue remains a priority for BASEC who is bringing this to the attention of specifiers and key organisa-tions in the cabling industry.

One recent example discovered by BASEC while ‘mystery shop-ping’ was a cable claiming to be a heat resistance flex, com-monly used in lighting a pplications.  On heat ageing both the insulation on the live core and the sheathing material became brittle.  In use, this could result in a short circuit, fire or electro-cution.Another example brought to BASEC’s attention is a “fire per-formance cable” claiming to comply with BS 5839-1 require-ments.  Testing revealed very poor fire performance, and con-ductors made of aluminium.  BASEC is still dealing with the case.Dr Hodge said: “This is a classic example where an unscrupu-lous manufacturer has deliberately made a cable looking like the real thing but without the required characteristics.  This ca-ble is dangerous and if installed it needs to be removed and replaced urgently.

“We are still tracking down the origin of this cable and don’t know yet where it might have been installed, but it is on the worldwide market.  Finding where such cables come from can be difficult, particularly as they often come from overseas.”Specifiers and end users are encouraged to always ask for BASEC approved cable to check for the “BASEC” marking, and to report any suspicious cable.The British Cables Association (BCA) is the trade association for British Manufacturers and Associate Companies manufacturing insulated cables, wires and accessories. It represents its mem-bers on relevant major policy issues to promote the interests of UK cables and associated businesses throughout Europe and world-wide markets.Copyright © ACI - www.aci.org.uk

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY A PARACHUTE... WOULD YOU BUY THE CHEAPEST?

“T his shoddy cable is a threat to British lives and local jobs and we must fight it vigorously” said Mr Huhne. “Buying cheap sub-standard cable is

a clear fire risk and could expose builders and wholesalers to actions for negligence or worse”.Mr Huhne has tabled parliamentary questions on behalf of Prysmian, a major local employer in Bishopstoke that produces EU-tested quality cable. More than a quarter of the electrical fires in England are due to problems with wires, cable and leads to appliances.In answer to Mr Huhne, government ministers revealed that there were 4,093 fires across England in 2007 that were attributable to faulty wires and cables in homes and businesses. This is 27 per cent of all electrical fires.“This is a terrible danger and a wholly avoidable problem if people take care to rewire with cable that is made to EU standards rather than buy cheap but dangerous cable from unscrupulous suppliers” said Mr Huhne.Prysmian engineers have shown Mr Huhne examples of dangerous counterfeit cable which rapidly overheats as soon as current is put through it, presenting fire risk. The cable looks very similar to properly tested and manufactured cable.Mr Huhne is backing a campaign by Michael Simms, the Director of Energy and Telecom Cables at Prysmian and the President of the British Cables Association, to clamp down on dangerous imports of counterfeit cable.Copyright © ACI - www.aci.org.uk

Oil&GasTratos have been producing cables for use in the oil and gas industry throughout

our 40 year history. We provide cables for a large variety of operations for

example offshore and on-shore platforms, including submarine cables and in

conjunction with our partner MFX, we have also supplied umbilical cables for

offshore applications.We supply cables for power, control, signalling and

fibre-optics or composite types that can include any or all of these elements.

Tratos can offer cable supplied to numerous standards including Lloyd’s for Mud

Resistant types and also conform to American, British and European standards

including BS6883, NEK 606 & UKOOA.

TRATOS WINS £5M CABLE CONTRACT WITH CONOCOPHILLIPS

T ratos Ltd. UK has supplied a £5 million order for special-ist fire resistant cables to ConocoPhillips for Phase 1 of the Jasmine discovery in the UK, Central North Sea.

Jasmine, one of the UK’s largest exploration discoveries since the mid 1990s, was discovered by a ConocoPhillips-operated exploration well in 2006. First production from Jasmine Phase 1 is anticipated to occur in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the core development is expected to produce at an annual gross peak sales rate of more than 88,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Tratos will be supplying medium and low voltage cables for Jas-mine Phase 1 designed and manufactured by the company to meet the necessary test requirements of this project especially for the exceptional fire resistance properties demanded. Tratos, whose primary market is the oil and gas industry, was the only company able to fully meet ConocoPhillips’ rigorous spec for this specialist cable, which will be delivered in full this year.

Tratos provides a wide range of cable solutions for use in de-manding Oil, Gas and Marine applications, both off the shelf and to bespoke designs, including hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and electrical umbilical cabling for subsea oil and gas extrac-tion and Oil&Gas BS6883 cables.

All Tratos offshore cables have been tested extensively both in laboratory trials and actual installations and have proven to be exceptionally reliable. They can be produced to a very wide range of standards including UK standard BS6883, Norwegian standard NEK 606 and Eni Italian standard.

As you would expect from one of the world’s leading cable manufactures, Tratos cables are produced using high grade component parts, include recyclable materials where possible. A high level of customer support is provided by Tratos to ensure customer requirements are met regardless of country of origin.

TRATOS WINS ETHIOPIAN DAM CONTRACT

T ratos Cavi Spa has been awarded the multi million pound contract to supply the Grand Ethiopian Renais-sance Dam with low and high voltage cable.

The new EEPCO (Ethiopa Electric and Power Corporation) dam, which is due to be completed in 2017, is located on the Nile River in North Western Ethiopia and will be the largest in Af-rica with the capacity to hold up to 66 billion cubic metres of water and generate15,100 Giga WH per year. It will feature two powerhouses at the foot of the dam, one either side of the river, housing ten and five Turbine Units each.

Tratos was awarded this prestigious contract by Salini Costrut-tori Spa as a result of the quality of its cable which has to work under high ambient temperatures, its ability to meet the cus-tomer’s tight schedule and because of Tratos’ positive environ-mental record.

The environmental impact of the new dam has been a major consideration for all parties, with Salini employing clean tech-nology and looking for suppliers who are able to demonstrate a genuine commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Tratos has long been committed to working with customers to find more environmentally friendly solutions to their cable requirements, producing cables without halogens for example and a cable made using purely hydroelectric energy, as well as keeping its packaging’s carbon footprint as low as possible. Most recently Tratos has been awarded ISO 14001:2004 certifi-cation for its Environmental Management Systems.

TRATOS WINS BAGHDAD REFINERY CABLE CONTRACT

T ratos has been awarded a contract to supply Iraq’s state-owned Midland Refineries Company (MRC) with cables for installation at the Daura Refinery in Baghdad.

A range of power cables, high temperature cables and fire re-sistant cables have been supplied to MRC, a new customer for Tratos, as part of the modernisation process of the Refinery.

The Daura refinery, located in the south of Baghdad, was con-structed in 1953 and started operations in 1955. It daily produc-es 3 million litres of gasoline, 1.5 million litres of kerosene and 2 million litres of gas oil, along with other products going to local power plants and industrial use.

Tratos Cavi has been producing cables for use in the oil and gas industry throughout its 40 year history. The cables are manu-factured to all the relevant American, British and European standards including BS6883, NEK 606 & UKOOA.

21

OIL & GAS

ALBA MARINA and ROSPO PLATFORM UPGRADE TO TRATOSUBMARINE

T ratos has supplied 1830 meters of is TratoSubmarine me-dium voltage cable to energy company Edison for use in its Alba Marina floating storage and offloading vessel

(FSO) and Rospo Mare B Platform, located in the Adriatic Sea.

Manufactured in Tratos’ Italian factory to IEC 60228 and IEC 60502-2, IEC 60840 to 26/45 KV, the TratoSubmarine cable comes with a copper or aluminium circular stranded conductor, extruded semi-conducting layer, HEPR insulation and a special hygroscopic PE innersheath and oversheath. It features double galvanised steel armouring for exceptional durability, making TratoSubmarine ideally suited to the oil and gas and utilities markets.

The TratoSubmarine power cable replaces the existing Tratos cable which was fitted at the Alba Marina and Rospo Mare B Platform in 2004.

Tratos, whose primary market is the oil and gas industry, offers an extensive range of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and electrical umbilical cabling for subsea oil and gas extraction and Oil&Gas BS6883 cables. The Tratos subsea cable range allows for hy-draulic and injection fluids to be transmitted, as well as power and data, depending on the cable type. They are suited for in-stallation at depths up to 2000 metres, with select umbilicals qualified for depths of 3000 meters.

All Tratos cables are produced using high grade component parts, include recyclable materials where possible. A high level of customer support is provided by Tratos to ensure customer requirements are met regardless of country of origin.

WE ARE NOT NEW IN THE OIL&GAS FIELD

TRATOS SUPPLIED CABLES TO SHUAIBA II PROJECT As part of a €2.2 million contact, specialist cable manufacturer Tratos Cavi S.p.A has supplied The Kuwait Olefins Company with medium and low voltage power cables for the new Ethyl-ene Glycol Plant II, part of the Shuaiba II Project in Kuwait.The cables have been installed by The Kuwait Olefins Compa-ny throughout the Plant, including the two storey substation building, and are being used to supply power to a wide range of equipment including reactors, vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, motors and transformers.The contract to supply medium and low voltage cables was awarded to Tratos based on keen pricing, service, reliability and product quality.

TRATOS WINS €15 MILLION OIL AND GAS CABLE CONTRACTTratos has won a €15 million contract for the supply of oil and gas cables to the Sannazzaro Refinery, owned by energy com-pany ENI, in the Po Valley, Italy.Following the upgrading of the refinery capacity in 2009, the Sannazzaro Refinery is one of the most efficient and flexible in Europe It mainly supplies markets in North-Western Italy and Switzerland, including Italy’s most highly industrialized area - the Turin-Milan-Genoa industrial triangle.

TRATOS WINS ITALIAN REFINERY CABLE CONTRACTSpecialist cable manufacturer Tratos Cavi S.p.A has supplied Snamprogettisud S.p.A, a subsidiary of oil and gas contractor Saipem, with a range of instrumentation cables for installation at the Taranto Refinery.The Taranto Refinery, which began operation in the late 1960s and continues to adapt to meet the needs of the ever chang-ing oil market, mainly produces fuels for the automotive and residential heating markets in Southern Italy. The contract to supply instrumentation cables was awarded to Tratos based on keen pricing, service, reliability and product quality.

AZZAWIYA OIL REFINING COMPANY INC Company: Azzawiya Oil Refining Company Inc LIBYAProject: Azzawiya Oil Refining Company Inc LIBYATratos is pleased to announce that it has supplied Oil and gas cables to the Revamp of the Gas-Turbine Plant , Azzawiya, (45 km west of Tripoli) Great Jamahiriya (LIBYA).The local AZZAWIYA REFINERY CO. (ARC) recently awarded a $300,000,000 refinery upgrade contract to France-based TECH-NIP-COFLEXIP. And, the company is now said to be planning a second development phase.Azzawiya Oil Refining Company (ARC) was evaluating revised proposals from two international consultants for the project management consultancy (PMC) contract to oversee the con-struction of a fully protected harbour at Azzawiya.

NIGERIAN ONSHORE GAS PLANT UPGRADED WITHTRATOS CABLETratos has supplied Saipem S.p.A. – an international turnkey contractor in the oil and gas industry – with instrumentation and low voltage power cables for installation at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s on shore Gas Plant in Obiafu/Obrikom and nearby Flow Station in Irri as part of an upgrade to the facilities.

OIL & GAS

22

TRATOS SUPPLIES CABLES FOR NGL TRAIN AT RUWAIS Tratos had 1 million Euros worth of its instrumentation cables installed by Snamprogetti SpA in Gasco’s third Natural Gas Liq-uids (NGL) Train Project in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.The third NGL Train at Ruwais is designed to process an addi-tional 24,400 tonnes TPD of natural gas liquids produced from OGD-111, AGD-11 and other projects and to produce about 6,400 TPD of Raw Ethane for transfer to the petrochemical plant at Ruwais. The Tratos instrumentation cables have been installed throughout the site to carry signals between various system components.

18 KM CONTINUOUS LENGHT OF SUBSEA FIBREProject Name: Adriatic LNG TerminalCompany: Adriatic LNG TerminalCable: Tratos supplied a 24 Optical Fibres cable suitable for sub-sea installation up to 200 meters in depth for the Adriatic LNG Terminal which required a continuous length of 18km.The Adriatic LNG terminal is a liquid natural gas offshore ter-minal nine miles offshore near Rovigo, Italy in the northern Adriatic. It is the world’s first offshore LNG terminal. When the terminal becomes fully operational, it is expected to store and regasify 21.8 million cubic meters (770 million cubic feet) per day.Date installation: 2009

AGIP KAZAKHSTAN NORTH CASPIAN Project Name: Kashagan Development Experimental Program Company: Agip Kazakhstan North Caspian Operating CompanyCable: Energy cables from 1 kV to 33 kV, armoured and unar-moured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicores. Instrumentation ca-bles, single, and double screened, armoured and unarmoure, fire resistance, and no fire resistance, pair, multipairs. Control cable, multipairs, fire resitance or flame retardant, armoured and no armoured.Date installation: 2007

KAZAKHSTAN BURINSKYProject Name: 212 Kazakhstan Project - Kazakhstan BurinskyCompany: Nuovo Pignone SpACable: Energy cables from 1 kV to 33 kV, armoured and unar-moured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicoresInstrumentation cables, single, and double screened, armoured and unarmoure, fire resistance, and no fire resistance, pair, mul-tipairs. Control cable, multipairs, fire resitance or flame retard-ant, armoured and no armoured.Date installation: 2008

KAZAKHSTAN PETROLEUM Project Name: Kazakhstan Petroleum - Kazakhstan BurinskyCompany: BechtelCable: Energy cables from 1 kV to 33 kV, armoured and unar-moured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicores. Instrumentation ca-bles, single, and double screened, armoured and unarmoure, fire resistance, and no fire resistance, pair, multipairs. Control cable, multipairs, fire resitance or flame retardant, armoured and no armoured.Date installation: 2008

RUWAIS - (EMIRATES OF ABU DHABI GASCO)Project Name: Ruwais - Emirates Of Abu Dhabi Gasco Project 5229Company: SnamprogettiCable: Energy cables from 1 kv to 33 kv, armoured and unar-moured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicores. Instrumentation ca-bles, single, and double screened, armoured and unarmoure, fire resistance, and no fire resistance, pair, multipairs. Control cable, multipairs, fire resitance or flame retardant, armoured and no armoured.Date installation: 2008

THE KUWAIT OLEFINS CO - (KUWAIT)Project Name: The Kuwait Olefins Co. K.S.C. (Kuwait)Company: Foster Wheeler Italiana SpACable: Power cable type number & descriptionEnergy cables from 1 kv to 33 kv, armoured and unarmoured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicores. Instrumentation cables, sin-gle, and double screened, armoured and unarmoure, fire re-sistance, and no fire resistance, pair, multipairs. Control cable, multipairs, fire resitance or flame retardant, armoured and no armoured.Date installation: 2004

ARZEW TRAIN DE GNL ALGERIATratos has supplied to Eni Saipem for the Arzew train de GNL the following cables: Energy cables from 1 kv to 33 kv, armoured and unarmoured, fire retardant, and fire resistance, from 1.5 To 300 cross section, single , 3 core, 4 cores, multicores. Instrumen-tation cables, single, and double screened, armoured and unar-moure, fire resistance, and no fire resistance, pair, multi pairs. The onshore contract worthed €2.8bn and involved the con-struction of a new LNG liquefaction train on a brownfield site in the industrial zone of Arzew adjacent to the existing refinery.The work was awarded to a joint venture of Saipem / Snampro-getti and Chiyoda on a turn-key basis. The contract involved the engineering, procurement and construction for a 4.7-million-ton-a-year liquefaction train and associated infrastructure. The construction work will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

BESPOKE SUBSEA CABLES FROM TRATOSTratos has formed an alliance with pioneering Brazilian cable manufacturer MFX to produce bespoke subsea umbilical cables for use in offshore oil production and thermoplastic high pres-sure hoses.MFX has earned an excellent reputation over the past 26 years for its top quality engineered products and services. This business strategy is very much in line with that of Tratos, which also has a considerable presence in the oil and gas mar-kets, making the two companies an ideal fit. Working together, Tratos and MFX will design and manufacture bespoke cable so-lutions for customer’s precise needs.The two companies have already worked on a number of high profile projects together, including the provision of 110km of umbilical cable for the Roncador field in the Campos Basin to water depths of 2000m; umbilical cable for the Bicudo field also in the Campos Basin; and intervention umbilicals to operate in water depths of 3000m and working pressure up to 10,000psi.

23

Tratos are an international manufacturer

and supplier of special cables for moving

applications, including: monospiral and

multi-spiral reeling, basket reeling,

festoons, spreaders.

Our cables can supply power, control

and signalling functions including

fiber-optic cables and components.

Our special cables have been developed

with the wisdom and expertise of Alfredo

Gobbi and Dr Silvano Notti, two seasoned

cable engineers each with over twenty

years of experience.

Our latest generation of Special cables have

combined tried and tested manufacturing

techniques with state of the art technology

to create cables of phenomenal strength

and flexibility. Working with our customers

we are able to tailor make cables to meet

the demands of any application.

Ports & MaritimePORTS & MARITIME

Interview

PORTS OVERVIEW

T he question as to whether some some terminals make poor use of cables and thereby shorten their working lives is a thorny one.

Maurizio Bragagni, Export Director of European cable manu-facturer Tratos notes that, as a member of PEMA, an indus-try report regarding safety in ports showed that electrical incidents inside ports are negligible when compared to inci-dents in other areas.“As far as Tratos has determined, this is a minor problem at best. However, the use of poor cable has increased the sta-tistical incidence of accidents and this has, clearly, short-ened the overall average working life of cables. Generally speaking, I don’t see the problem as being one that can be attributed to terminal technicians; they have very little influ-ence on the working life of a cable. Having said that, a lot of experience has been lost to the industry in the last few years, as ports have made larger numbers of qualified peo-

ple redundant, while mergers between companies have also exacerbated the situation, perhaps reducing the overall level of competence,” he says.Asked what he thinks the main mistakes are that terminals make when maintaining cables, he suggests that the crucial one is not laying cables entirely out on the ground to ensure that they are straight before they are installed on the reel.“If I were asked for advice on cable quality, I would suggest that terminals buy only known brands, since these are clear-ly head and shoulders above the rest and will therefore last longer and perform better,” he says.

As for the best way to make sure cables are kept at the best stress levels, Mr Bragagni says fibre optic cables easily offer the best way to keep stress at the correct levels in a cable.“Not all existing systems are able to accurately control stress levels. But systems can be adapted over time. However, the only real way from preventing a cable from being over-stressed is to acquire stronger cables. Operators have got to lobby suppliers to produce these.”He dismisses suggestions that another option might be to invest in stress monitoring equipment, pointing out that a cheaper solution is to use only cables built with a long work-ing life in mind.

“Even if you do acquire monitoring equipment, there is no guarantee that you can remove unwanted stress in the ca-ble. The majority of occasions when this occurs are one-offs, often in unpredictable situations, so investing here would make no sense.”Once again, he urges terminals to steer clear of cheap ca-bling, which he notes has inherent problems, citing the ex-ample of Dubai, which did acquire some non-branded cable, only then to have problems with it.“Some cheap cables do not even last three months in active service!” he says.

Finally, in respect of return on investment, he suggests that, rather than investing in monitoring equipment to control ca-ble stress, it makes much better sense to invest in educating the people who work with the cable day in, day out.“Where cables are concerned, better quality and improved working life will be achieved through this type of solution, not by adding unnecessary monitoring equipment,” he says.

25

Ports & Maritime

PORTS & MARITIME

DP World - Dubai Port

TRATOS SUPPLIES REELING CABLE FOR DUBAI PORT

T ratos has been awarded the contract to supply DP World with Tratosflex ESDB reeling cables for installation in the cranes at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai.

The port is in the process of electrifying its existing diesel-driven RTG cranes as a means of significantly reducing energy costs and CO emissions. As part of this process, Tratosflex ESDB cables will be fitted to the newly electrified cranes.

The decision to specify Tratosflex ESDB cables was based on a combination of quality product used extensively in similar ap-plications worldwide (including the Busan Port terminal in Ko-rea) and strong local support from the Tratos office located in Jebel Ali Free Zone.Tratosflex-ESDB is different from other reeling cables avail-able in that Tratos engineers have modified the internal cable design, tightening the structure against the internal relative movement to accommodate high speed applications; this prevents the common problem of twisting that affects cables reeling at high speed. Twisting makes cable cores elongate unevenly which in turn leads to conductors on the outer layer of a strand face a greater risk of being broken. A broken cable reeling at high speed is dangerous and can cause extensive and costly damage to equipment. A medium voltage rubber insu-lated and sheathed drum reeling cable, Tratosflex-ESDB oper-ates in temperatures from -20ºC to +60ºC.

Tratosflex-ESDB is one of the range of cables for moving appli-cations from Tratos, which include mono-spiral and multi-spiral reeling, basket reeling, festoons and spreaders. The cables can supply power, control and signalling functions including fibre-optic cables and components.

TRATOS MARINE CABLES: AFFORDABLE QUALITY

T ratos Marine from electric and fibre optic cable manufacturer Tratos is a range of quality yet highly cost-effective shipboard cables for ship and navy

vessel installation.Tratos Marine not only has a lower intrinsic cost when com-pared to compatible cables on the market, but also allows for reduced installation and operational costs due to its design and components which reduces dimension and weight by approxi-mately 20%. The cables are flame retardant to IEC 60332-3A, fire resistant to IEC 60331 and produce very low smoke and corro-sive gas emissions.

Tratos Marine cables include armoured, unarmoured and fire resistant armoured and unarmoured power and control cables, all available in single, two, three and multi core.Tratos marine cables are approved by the Italian Military Ma-rine and NATO. They have been used in installations the world over, by organisations such as Fincantieri, MAERSK and The Italian Ministry of Defence.

26

27

TratosFlex ESDB

Our cables have been continually working without any corkscrew effect for many years with high speed applications all around the world.

follow us onwww.reelingcable.com

www.tratos.eu

Tratos Cavi S.p.A - via Stadio, 2 - 52036 - Pieve Santo Stefano - Italytel. +39 0575 794.1 - fax +39 0575 794246 - e-mail info@tratos.it

Virginia (USA)Throughput: 1.745.228 teuSpeed 300 m/mTratos cables have been working since 9th March 2010

Rotterdam (Holland)Throughput: 9.743.290 teuSpeed 270 m/mTratos cables have been working since 3rd March 2008

Let’s take another turn

TRATOS HOSTED PEMA MEETING

The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) Autumn 2011 Meeting, hosted by Tratos Cavi in Bagno di Romagna, Italy provided the 70 or so delegates at-

tending with a forum to discuss the valuable work and future role of PEMA. Following a tour of Tratos’ manufacturing facilities and a buf-fet reception the previous evening, Day 1 of the conference focussed on defining members’ expectations of the associa-tion, from the provision of statistics on market size and value through to the provision of standards and the dissemination of technological information internally and externally.PEMA’s three Committees – Environment, Safety and Technol-ogy – were also convened on the first Day to discuss their re-spective goals, topics and projects, which included TOS-CHE interface standardisation, the issue of container weighing and the development of a Lexicon covering key terminology.After the work of the day, delegates and their partners visited Sansepolcro Civil Museum and the Cathedral, followed by a magnificent flag waving performance and a dinner of excep-tional Italian food and wine.Day 2 of the PEMA Autumn meeting was highlighted by guest speaker Flemming Dalgaard, Senior Vice President & Managing Director Europe and Russia for DP World. Flemming outlined his company’s operational priorities, which include safety and reducing energy consumption, along with the role of the equip-ment and technology sectors in supporting these. New members were then introduced, followed by an open discussion on the state of the industry in which members largely agreed that a flat growth is the likely prediction for next year. The event was concluded with a discussion on PEMA’s future activities.

This to be held since the start of the association, was considered a great success by delegates, largely thanks to the participation and work of all those who attended and who have taken on Committee responsibilities to ensure PEMA moves forward and provides genuine value for members.

Tratos Cavi has been a PEMA member since 2008, recognising its value as both an official representative of manufacturers supplying to ports and as an educational body for members.Tratos specialises in the production of power, signalling, con-trol and telecommunications cables for a range of industries, including high speed reeling cable for cranes which are used in ports across the world. The focus is on technological inno-vation and innovative design in both off the shelf product and bespoke cable. As you would expect from one of the world’s leading cable manufactures, Tratos cables are produced us-ing high grade component parts, include recyclable materials where possible and comply with all the normal environmental protection standards.

PEMAPORTS & MARITIME

28

LOOKING AT THE PORTS SITUATION

T he question as to whether some some terminals make poor use of cables and thereby shorten their working lives is a thorny one.

Maurizio Bragagni, Export Director of Tratos notes that, as a member of PEMA, an industry report regarding safety in ports showed that electrical incidents inside ports are negligible when compared to incidents in other areas.“As far as Tratos has determined, this is a minor problem at best. However, the use of poor cable has increased the statistical in-cidence of accidents and this has, clearly, shortened the overall average working life of cables.Generally speaking, I don’t see the problem as being one that can be attributed to terminal technicians; they have very lit-tle influence on the working life of a cable. Having said that, a lot of experience has been lost to the industry in the last few years, as ports have made larger numbers of qualified people redundant, while mergers between companies have also ex-acerbated the situation, perhaps reducing the overall level of competence,” he says.Asked what he thinks the main mistakes are that terminals make when maintaining cables, he suggests that the crucial one is not laying cables entirely out on the ground to ensure that they are straight before they are installed on the reel.

“If I were asked for advice on cable quality, I would suggest that terminals buy only known brands, since these are clearly head and shoulders above the rest and will therefore last longer and perform better,” he says.As for the best way to make sure cables are kept at the best stress levels, Mr Bragagni says fibre optic cables easily offer the best way to keep stress at the correct levels in a cable.

“Not all existing systems are able to accurately control stress levels. But systems can be adapted over time. However, the only real way from preventing a cable from being over-stressed is to acquire stronger cables. Operators have got to lobby suppliers to produce these.”He dismisses suggestions that another option might be to invest in stress monitoring equipment, pointing out that a cheaper so-lution is to use only cables built with a long working life in mind.

“Even if you do acquire monitoring equipment, there is no guar-antee that you can remove unwanted stress in the cable. The majority of occasions when this occurs are one-offs, often in un-predictable situations, so investing here would make no sense.”Once again, he urges terminals to steer clear of cheap cabling, which he notes has inherent problems, citing the example of Dubai, which did acquire some non-branded cable, only then to have problems with it.“Some cheap cables do not even last three months in active service!” he says.Finally, in respect of return on investment, he suggests that, rather than investing in monitoring equipment to control cable stress, it makes much better sense to invest in educating the people who work with the cable day in, day out.“Where cables are concerned, better quality and improved working life will be achieved through this type of solution, not by adding unnecessary monitoring equipment,” he says.

29

You won’t realise...but at this moment you are using our cables

The telecoms market is one of the fastest

developing sectors in industry. Demand

for bandwidth is rising not because users

want “more of the same” but because new

and unforeseen products and services

have been introduced. Social media,

video streaming, movies and music on

demand, telemedicine and home-based

businesses are all changing the way we

live, work and play.

This demand for ever-increasing

bandwidth and services is driving

technical innovation at an extraordinary

pace. And the glue that holds all this

together is CABLE. Yes even wireless

technologies require cable to deliver

signals at some point in the network.

TELECOMMUNICATION

33

T he telecoms market is one of the fastest developing sec-tors in industry. Demand for bandwidth is rising not be-cause users want “more of the same” but because new

and unforeseen products and services have been introduced. Social media, video streaming, movies and music on demand, telemedicine and home-based businesses are all changing the way we live, work and play.This demand for ever-increasing bandwidth and services is driving technical innovation at an extraordinary pace. And the glue that holds all this together is CABLE. Yes even wireless technologies require cable to deliver signals at some point in the network.

The UK has been at the forefront of Telecoms since the 19th century and has one of the oldest network infrastructures in the world. As a result of this there has been a lag in developing and deploying new technologies but with the ever increasing globalisation of business and world economies there is now a pressing need to meet the technological requirements of the modern age. Add to this the consumer demand for improved TV, Broadband and Telephone services and the pressure really is on.

Fortunately Tratos are here to help. Tratos is a forward think-ing manufacturer with the technical capability to match the de-mands of the 21st Century’s requirements but also with a prod-uct portfolio that helps to maintain the legacy networks that for now, so many people and businesses rely on. Copper tech-nologies have matured and improved over the years and are far more advanced than was at one time thought possible. Copper pricing has also escalated in recent times and as an increasingly valuable commodity has brought unwelcome attention from thieves and vandals. Consequently, where copper cables have been installed in open areas there have been well documented examples of disruption to systems caused by theft. Tratos has developed a solution for this problem with a range of copper clad aluminium (CCA) cables, as direct replacements for solid copper cables, which provide equivalent performance stand-ards but with an assay value less than a quarter of that of copper makes them much less attractive to thieves. However, copper has limited capabilities and this is where optical fibre provides the step change necessary to deliver the required increases in speed and capacity. Tratos has been at the forefront of optical fibre cable manufacturing since the 1980s and has products de-signed for a vast range of applications.

Fibre provides for far faster connection speeds and greater carrying capacity than twisted pair copper connection, DSL or coaxial cable. To give some idea of the comparison a standard copper connection can carry up to six phone calls – a single fi-

bre can carry more than 2.5 million calls simultaneously. Most premises in the UK average around 4 – 6 Mb. With the advent of Super-Fast or Next Generation Broadband that will increase up to 24Mb, 40Mbs or 80Mbs over copper – fibre theoretically has no limit – it transmits data literally at the speed of light. Which also means it is pretty future proof – experts have said that FTTH is the only technology that can handle projected bandwidth demands during the next decade and beyond. Tra-tos has recognised this and developed its range of FTTH cables and accessories which recognise the need not only to deliver the new technologies but also to do it cost effectively. Tratos’ FTTH cables are very compact, in order to fit into small conduits and building floor access points. They are extremely flexible small diameter cables which in combination with minia-turised cable accessories reduce the need for on-site pre-audits and as they require a reduced amount of connectivity points (splices, connectors) shortens the installation time and saves money.The time spent inside the customer’s premises is also mini-mized thereby reducing the inconvenience and disruption to the consumer.

Paul Farrell - Telecommunications Division Manager

Telecommunication

MODULAR WIRING SYSTEM

NEW MEETS OLD - MODULAR WIRING SYSTEMS POWERS KINGS CROSS STATION

M odular Wiring Systems has designed, manufactured and supplied modular power and lighting distribu-tion systems for Kings Cross Station in London, a

Grade 1 listed building.Working with English Heritage to protect the station building whilst also transforming it into a world class transport hub, Modular Wiring Systems has designed the distribution systems to run underfloor throughout the station, with the exception of the platforms. Where this is not possible, cables will be run through small 80mm holes in the walls. Such restrictions re-quire exceptional system flexibility, which was found in Modu-lar Wiring Systems’ products and design process..

Logistics was also an important factor in this prestigious instal-lation due to limited on site storage, requiring just in time deliv-ery which Modular Wiring Systems was readily able to accom-modate. This is made possible by the offsite pre fabrication of the system, including pre wired distribution boards, which can then be stored and delivered to site at the exact time and date specified by the client. This also makes for quick installation with reduced labour requirements, whilst actually improving the quality of the finished system as potential risks posed by on-site conditions are eliminated. It’s a very modern concept that actually works exceptionally well in an old listed building.

By the time it is completed in Summer 2012, over £400 mil-lion will be invested in King’s Cross Station, funded by the Department for Transport and Network Rail. The station will be extended through a new large western concourse, im-proving access and passenger experience.

Modular Wiring Systems is a leading company in this field and has been providing a complete design, manufacture and supply service for high and low level modular sub-cir-cuit distribution systems prefabricated off-site since 1994.

Modular Wiring Systems Ltdtel: +44 (0) 1753 566 700fax: +44 (0) 1753 566 701e-mail: info@modwire.com web: www.modularwiring.com

34

35

Modular Wiring Systems wins large order for the Shard

Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer

Tratos Ltd., has won the order to supply pre fabricated power and

lighting distribution systems for multiple floors of The Shard.

Soon to be one of London’s most iconic landmarks, The Shard will

be the tallest building in Western Europe and will include offices,

restaurants, a hotel, exclusive residential apartments and the

capital’s highest viewing gallery.

Modular Wiring Systems is a leading company in this field and

has been providing a complete design, manufacture and supply

service for high and low level modular sub-circuit distribution

systems prefabricated off-site since 1994.

Modular Wiring Systems Ltd is an

international organisation specifically

formed to focus solely on the promotion of

the Modular Wiring concept in commercial

electrical and other installations.

Construction programmes dictate that

electrical installations are undertaken

efficiently and in the least possible time.

With technology constantly changing,

installations need to be readily adaptable

and offer a high degree of flexibility.

Traditional fixed installations are labour

intensive, offer little in flexibility and

remain costly.

Modular Wiring is a rapid and easily

installed, modular sub-circuit distribution

system prefabricated off-site. A complete

installation is achieved, from the

distribution board to the furthest point of

a circuit, by simply connecting the system

components together. A range of armoured

MC cables is also available to complement

the system. Total modular wiring design

support can be provided, including

Auto-Cad layout designs, voltage drop

calculations, record drawings etc.

MODULAR WIRING SYSTEMS OPENS DUBAI OFFICE

M odular Wiring Systems, the subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd., has opened its first overseas office, in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

Established in 1985 and now one of the world’s largest and fastest growing free zones, Jafza is spread over 48 sq. kms and is home to over 6400 companies. It is a leading driver of the burgeoning UAE economy and therefore an ideal base for companies involved in construction such as Modular Wiring Systems with its high and low level modular sub-circuit distri-bution systems.

The new Modular Wiring Systems office in Jafza is fully staffed with personnel trained and experienced in Modular Wiring Sys-tems’ product portfolio and services, allowing the company to target countries across the UAE and beyond. The same exacting level of professional service provided in the UK, from assisting in design through to system supply and after sales support, can now be offered across the Middle East.

With the mass of construction work taking place across the UAE, including many large stadia and buildings for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Modular Wiring Systems’ plug and play power and lighting distribution systems are ideally suited. These are prefabricated off-site and are designed for rapid and easy in-stallation. They are available with a range of cables for different applications, including the company’s own Firesafe range of fire resistance cables.

Furthermore, Modular Wiring Systems’ has extensive experi-ence in the design and supply of power distribution systems for stadia, including Wembley Stadium.

MODULAR WIRING SYSTEM

36

MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM

MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM is a universal pre wired fire alarm and detection installation to BS5839:2002, suitable for addressable systems.

Since 1995, Modular Wiring Systems Ltd (MWS), have been at the forefront of plug ‘n’ play low voltage (LV) electrical distribu-tion installations. Now, with the introduction of the MW FIRE-SAFE SYSTEM, MWS moves into the field of plug and play fire alarm and detection installations. This has been made possible thanks to the vast cable experience that has been brought into the company, since the acquisition of by the cable manufactur-ers Tratos Ltd (www.tratos.co.uk) who have been in the cable industry since 1966.

1) THE MW FIRESAFE SYSTEMThe MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM consists of a number of pre-terminat-ed and tested extenders, manufactured to appropriate lengths. These extender cables, plug directly from the fire alarm control panel into a serious of pre-wired round and square base boxes housing the selected detectors, sounders and call points mak-ing up the addressable fire alarm and detection installation.

The MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM is an open technology able to link up almost any type of addressable fire alarm device, system and installation method. This open technology allows the applica-tion of the MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM across almost any fire alarm and detection manufacturer, crabling the installer to select the suppliers suitable for the job at hand. 2) THE HEART OF THE MW FIRESAFE SYSTEMThe MW FIRESAFE SYSTEM is based around the Tratos ‘FIRE-SAFE’ TW950s and TW950e cable. Both of these cable types, meet and exceed the BS norms and carry the relevant BASEC and LPCB approvals.

FIRESAFE TW950s 30min fire resistant cable has been de-signed to meet the latest standards for fire detection and alarm systems in BS5839 Part 1 standard grade and for use in emer-gency lighting BS5266 Part 1. The cable is also manufactured and tested to BS7629.

FIRESAFE TW950e is an ‘Enhanced’ 120min fire resistant cable that is recommended for systems needing to operate fully dur-ing a fire for longer periods than those normally required for singe phase evacuation of a building. This may include high rise buildings that do not have sprinkler systems and have passed evacuation arrangements, or large premises where areas remote from the fire could remain occupied on the condition the fire does not damage cables serving the alarm system in those areas.

3) OTHER FIRE SAFE PRODUCTSFIRESAFE TW100 is designed for surface wiring installations where a fire situation may pose a major hazard and the main-tenance of circuit integrity is a requirement, and where there is little risk that mechanical damage to the cable may occur. FIRE-SAFE TW100 is also suitable for installations in onerous condi-tions where the cable is protected in metal conduit or trunking.

FIRESAFE SWA/M1 0.6/1 KV Cables suitable to grant the per-formance requested for a determinate time period also when the flames developed by the fire in which they are involved, have modified, carbonized or destroyed the organic materials which in normal conditions, constitute the insulation, possible fillers and the sheath.

FIRESAFE Opti has been designed for use in areas where opti-cal fibre cables are required to operate in the event of a fire. For use in railway and highways tunnels, mass transit underground systems, metro lines, ducts and public buildings.

Modular Wiring Systems Ltd can also offer glands, p clips and saddles in LSOH from stock to suit all FIRESAFE cables.

Just plug it!

37

AGENDA

TRATOSFLEX PROVE SUCCESSFUL AT TOC EUROPE 2012 IN ANTWERP

T ratos exhibited as an international manufacturer and supplier of Special Cables for moving applications, in-cluding cables for: monospiral and multi-spiral reeling;

basket reeling; festoons; spreaders. Our cables can supply pow-er, control and signalling functions including fiber-optic cables and components. Tratos exhibited a range of its products de-signed specifically for the reeling industry at TOC Europe 2012 in Antwerp (Belgium). TOC Container Supply Chain Europe is the meeting place for the world’s shipping, port and terminal in-dustries. TOC is an international trade exhibition with hundreds exhibitors displaying cutting edge port solutions, technical seminars. TOC is the port-centric event for Terminal Operators, Shipping Lines, Ports, 3PL’s and BCO’s where you can meet the people who own, move & handle large volumes of containers.

TRATOS JOINS UK MANUFACTURING ORGANISATION EEF

T ratos is pleased to announce its membership of EEF, the UK manufacturers’ organisation. EEF is dedicated to the future of manufacturing, helping manufacturing busi-

nesses evolve, innovate and compete in a fast-changing world. It provides a business services, government representation and industry intelligence, making it a valuable resource for members.EEF’s ethos, that a modern, competitive and innovative manufacturing industry is central to the UK’s economic future, is very much in line with Tratos’. Maurizio Bragagni, Export Director of Tratos, expands on this theme: “In manufacturing you have to continually strive for improvement in every aspect of your work. With low cost competition from the Far East and uncertain economic times, this has never been truer. We believe the key to success is to continually innovate - in our product R&D and in our manufacturing processes - and to invest. For a European manufacturer to not just survive, but to thrive, investment in people and plant is essential. Membership of EEF will enable us have a greater voice to express our needs and concerns regarding all aspects of manufacturing, as well as an excellent opportunity to meet like minded companies.”

TRATOS OIL AND GAS CABLES AT OFFSHORE EUROPE

T ratos Ltd exhibited a range of its products designed spe-cifically for the railway industry at SPE Offshore Europe Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in Aberdeen

where its subsea umbilical cables will take centre stage.SPE Offshore Europe attracts thousands of professionals in the upstream industry – including engineers, technical specialists, industry leaders and experts – providing them with the oppor-tunity to engage suppliers face-to-face. Tratos, whose primary market is the oil and gas industry, showed its extensive range of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic and electrical umbilical cabling for subsea oil and gas extraction and Oil&Gas BS6883 cables.

Brief news from Tratos World

38

MODULAR AT ELECTRICITY MIDLE EAST 2012 - DUBAI

H eld in the centre of the fastest growing markets, the Middle East Electricity (MEE) in Dubai is one of the most important electrical exhibitions bringing suppli-

ers and consumers together.This year’s edition saw, 1043 exhibitors form 56 countries, ex-hibiting products covering all aspects of the electrical field from power generation, power distribution, power control, lighting, lighting controls, and renewable energies.Modular Wiring Systems was one of the exhibitors showing its innovative modular power distribution system and cable prod-ucts to the inquisitive attendees. Modular Wiring Systems Ltd has been a subsidiary of Tratos Ltd since 2008 and has since benefited from the vast cable experience of Tratos.One cable product that generated much interest during the ex-hibition was the Tratos ‘Fire SafeTW950s and TW950e. The same cable used at the heart of the Modular Wiring Fire Safe system providing a universal prewired fire alarm and detection installa-tion system to BS5839:2002.

Brief news from Tratos World

FTTH: ‘FIBRE TO THE HOME’ 9th FREE CONFERENCE FROM TRATOS

T ratos ran a free conference on Fibre to the Home (FTTH) on 6th September at its main headquarters in Arezzo, Italy. The full day conference, which has been organised

in conjunction with Tyco Electronics, features a range of topics and guest speakers, including Andrew Oliviero of OFS examin-ing the latest developments in bend-insensitive fibres for FTTx applications and Jan Vandenbroek of Tyco Electronics looking at where we are now with FTTH and what the future holds. Other guest speakers come from Open Access Telecom Italia, TiLAB Telecom Italia and TE Connectivity. The conference opened by Tratos Cavi President Albano Bragagni.

Tratos has exceptional knowledge and expertise in FTTH, of-fering its own range of FTTH optical cables especially designed for use inside buildings to connect individual properties. Opti-mised for brownfield construction networks, Tratos’ FTTH ca-bles are highly flexible yet durable.

TRATOS BECOMES SUPPORTING SPONSOR OF CN2012

C N2012 - National Conference of Industrial Plant - Ho-tel Excelsior, Venice Lido, 10 to 11 May 2012Tratos was Supporting Sponsor at CN2012, the Nation-

al Conference of Industrial Plant, helded at the Hotel Excelsior, Venice Lido, 10th to 11th May 2012.Run in association with ANIMP (National Association of Indus-trial Plant) and Federprogetti (Italian Federation of Industrial Plant Engineering), the National Conference of Industrial Plant’s aim is to contribute ideas to the development of the Italian plant industry. It provides an opportunity for dialogue between parties in this field searching for new solutions and innovative forms of cooperation between industry players, institutional in-vestors and institutions.

39

TratosSuperconductorCable

www.tratos.eu

C A B L E S F O R A M O V I N G W O R L D

Tt-Magazine – Tratos Technology Magazine – The voice of Tratos International Cable Sales Department Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need additional information at Tratos Ltd – School lane – Knowsley – Merseyside – L34 9HD – United Kingdom

phone:v +44 (0)1515 483888 – fax: +44 (0)151 549 1169 – e-mail: ttmagazine@tratos.it – web: www.tt-magazine.com