Investigating the bending stiffness of polymeric cables

In the Netherlands the energy transition results in increasingly more and bigger/stiffer cables being installed, compared to the past. Arising from the increase in bending stiffness, an increase was observed in the number of manual handling complaints from installers involved in bending the cables manually. To study these complaints an investigation was initiated on the bending stiffness of various cables in use. The investigation has provided insights into the bending moments of various cables and factors contributing to cable stiffness such as conductor construction, friction between the different cable layers, and the nature of different cable elements. The measured bending moments of various cables were used for the design and cooperative development of a new cable bending tool, which facilitates installation of cables within recommended ergonomic limits.