Value comprises of many facets and Alvern Cables strives to meet them all and more, so we can exceed our customers’ expectations. Some of the most common facets to value are Price, Quality, and Service.
Today we would like to focus on the Quality aspect and its impact on reliability. To create a reliable product consistently, test methods need to be implemented and stringently adhered to. The staff need to be well trained in order for them to ensure these tests are carried out and recorded correctly. Then a method of audit also needs to be implemented to prevent any issues going unnoticed
Alvern Cables is proud of the fact that our returns from the market amount to less that 0.01% of the finished product. By testing our product at every phase, we can ensure this figure gets better and is never allowed to regress.
Let’s take a closer look…
Copper
- Arrives in a 7.9mm rod.
- A visual test is then done which includes weight, diameter and condition of the product.
- A magnet test is done to assess the purity of the rod, only 99.998% is acceptable.
- All copper rod is delivered with certification
Insulation
- Arrives in the form of pellets.
- A visual test is done on the condition of the product and weights and SG’s (Specific Gravity) are checked
- Certification of insulation material is also available
Process
- Starts with drawing the copper rod down to the required sizes
- From this point the copper is bunched to form a core; at all stages the copper is tested for resistance and the results recorded to ensure full traceability.
- The core then proceeds to insulation
- The insulation thickness, core centering and elongation are tested to ensure they meet the required specification and recorder for full traceability.
- In line spark testers are also utilized to ensure the material maintains its integrity
- The cores are then configured and progress to the laying up stage where they are subject to a visual inspection.
- They now proceed to the bedding stage where diameters and centers are checked again. In line spark testers are utilized here and in the final sheathing stage of the product.
- The final part of the process is the sheathing process, here to the cable is tested to ensure it meets all the required specifications before undergoing final testing procedure in line with the specifying bodies requirements.
- Accelerated Aging
- Tensile strength and elongation at break
- Heat shock
- Bending at low temperature
- Resistance to burning
- Resistance to oil
- Pressure test at high temperatures
- Hot indentation
- High Voltage test: dry or submersed
- Short circuit test
- And any other tests required by the market, or the specification bodies concerned.
- Finally the product now goes on to the coiling line where checks are conducted on the embossing and marking, operating voltage, labeling and presentation of the product.
These stringent measures allow us to sell with confidence and to ensure that we as a company will continue to supply the value and consistent reliability the market has grown to expect of us.
“Raise your standards to exceed your expectations” – Cecily Morgan
You can check out our SABS certificates here