Welding or locomotor cable applications

[jaraujo1]

I normally specify locomotor cable to be used in connecting batteries particularly for UPS and/or generator applications because it is flexible (easier to bend) and therefore the job get done at a faster pace.
The price of locomotor cable is more expensive than regular rigid copper conductor but the installation cost and maintenance savings make up for the higher cost.

Does anyone have any experience where they have used this kind of cable?
Does anyone know of any negative impact in using this cable?
Does anyone know any NEC regulation in using this cable?

 

[chris kennedy]

Does anyone know any NEC regulation in using this cable?

This type cable is covered in ART. 400

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Neither DLO or welding cable is permitted for use in NEC applications, however some DLO and welding cable is also listed as RHH or RHW making it code compliant. When it is listed as such it is not covered by Article 400. One issue is that you can't use standard mechanical lugs with these types of cables. I have used DLO/RHW for large DC motors a number of times partly because of the small space in the motor junction box, but mostly because the armature voltage was 700 volts and I couldn't use standard building wire. DLO is rated at a minimum of 1000 volts and most is rated at 2000 volts.
Don

 

[infinity]

Don brings up a good point. When terminating these fine stranded conductors special terminations are required. In the past when assembling battery connector with this type of cable we always used a Hypress terminal rated for fine stranded conductors.

 

[weressl]

I normally specify locomotor cable to be used in connecting batteries particularly for UPS and/or generator applications because it is flexible (easier to bend) and therefore the job get done at a faster pace.
The price of locomotor cable is more expensive than regular rigid copper conductor but the installation cost and maintenance savings make up for the higher cost.

Does anyone have any experience where they have used this kind of cable?
Does anyone know of any negative impact in using this cable?
Does anyone know any NEC regulation in using this cable?

Routinely use it for substation transfomer secondary connections 1.5-3MVA @ 480V. TC(Tray Cable) rated DEL (Diesel Electric Locomotive) with Hy-Lug compression fittings. Make sure it is for the specific size as the high number of strands comes in different sizes than Class B strand, ex: 535.3kCMIL instead of 500 and Burndy makes special connectors for those. Smaller bending radius, higher ampacity for less cross section and reduced stress on the transformer bushings are the benefit. Also used it for battery banks.

Meets the RHH/RHW requirements of NEC/UL.

Since it is very fine strand be careful about cutting and terminating that the cut strands do not land on conductive surfaces and go BANG when you turn the unit on.

 

[HighWirey]

We have used a lot of fine stranded cable (used to buy what is known as DLO cable, we called it '535') for interconnecting UPS battery banks, and some substation work. The $tuff is great, but you do need to be careful about the lug size, crimper settings, and termination quality.

If you need to pull it in cable tray, a little talcum powder works wonders, your men will thank you!

Probably not listed as a lube, but hey, wink wink . . .

 

[don_resqcapt19]

used to buy what is known as DLO cable, we called it '535'

Probably because it does not come in standard sizes and the closest size to 500 kcmil for DLO is 535.3 kcmil.
Don

 

[jaraujo1]

Locomotor cable applications

Locomotor cable applications

Great answer!....thank you all

Juan Araujo
PE, Electrical
California, Nevada and Texas

 

[dereckbc]

I use it extensively in DC battery plant application used in telephone offices. Looks like most of the issues have been addressed. As long as you use dual listing RHH/RHW there is no restriction per the NEC.
Not so sure the installation is less expensive because it is larger in diameter which can take more or larger raceways, more difficult to pull in conduit, and requires special termination techniques as already outlined.

 

[rcwilson]

DLO cable

DLO cable

DLO cable is used a lot in the 1550 kcmil size in power plants for the DC exciter cables to the generators. Typical exciter voltages are 640V or 800V, so standard 600V cable doesn't quite meet the voltage rating even though it would probably work just fine.

1000V rated wire and 2500V non-shielded cable are not readily available anymore. The next jump in voltage is to a 5 kV shielded cable which looks a little ridiculous on a 640V circuit. The 2 kV DLO cable is almost the industry standard for exciter circuits.

The DLO cable also has a higher ampacity than the 5 kV shielded. But it costs more than 5kV, 750 kcmil copper cable.

 

[brian john]

One of the issues I have run into with standard building wire is, when utilized for battery terminations it stresses the post when bends are tight, in free air the building wire has a tendency to straighten out placing stress on the battery post. Locomotive cable (properly rated) does not place the same stresses on the post. Now this might be an issue if the installers and/or system designers had allowed for adequate space for bending and terminating.

Sure makes a neat installation easy.