InfoPower

For those manufacturers who are unfamiliar with North American NFPA 79 requirements, simply finding out they need to meet these requirements for a product they are building or preparing to install can cause a considerable state of confusion. This is especially true for foreign manufacturers importing products into North America and for manufacturers venturing into this product field for the first time or who are installing new equipment from abroad.

Cable is made up of different components which all need to work together to be effective in whatever product it is a part of, such as a power cord or cord set. If one of the components within the cable becomes damaged in some way, it can directly affect the product. That is why it is important to know the recommended minimum bend radius for the cable being used.

A strain relief or cable gland extends cord life and reinforces the cord connection to the equipment. The main purpose is to help protect the electrical connection and circuitry inside the equipment. The most common application is on a power cord providing electricity to equipment. In many situations, the equipment is portable and requires protection so the cable cannot be pulled out of the equipment.

A common practice for cord set manufacturers is the option to be able to change cable suppliers. This can be done as a safety net to limit shutdowns and as a price controlling measure. It also means that with manufacturers having multiple-approved cable suppliers, customers should not expect that all markings found on the cable are included in their company-specific specifications.

For electrical or electronic products that use cable, the end destination of the product will determine the type of cable that will need to be used. The end destination will also determine which safety agency should be contacted to obtain approvals on the cable.