A data cable for a dockside crane. Nexans has launched two data communication cables.

There is an ever increasing demand for data transfer between the crane and the port control centre, the company says. In order to meet this requirement, Nexans has developed a new control cable, RHEYCORD(RTS) SPREADER-BUS, that features an integrated bus system without increasing the overall diameter of the cable. This enables the cable to be used in existing spreader drums for maintenance.

Nexans’ second new spreader cable, RHEYCORD(RTS) SPREADER-DSC, features two integrated two sensor cores in addition to the control cores. The electrical resistance of the sensor cores changes according to the changing load on the cable, and this change is measured to provide information about the tensile load in the cable. This new approach makes it is possible to measure the tensile load in a spreader cable during operation without stopping. Moreover, the external dimensions of cable enable it to be used in existing spreader drums.

In order to ensure durability in the extreme conditions found in high-end port applications  Nexans has established a Handling Application Center, located in Lyon, France. This new test facility, which Nexans says is unique, makes it possible to test crane application cable requirements such as torsion, traction, bending and flexibility in real-time simulations.


A data cable for a dockside crane. Nexans has launched two data communication cables. Nexans launches data communication cables for dockside cranes