How to Specify the Right Portable Cord for Your Project

When specifying and purchasing portable cord products, application details are often essential to selecting the right product for the job. Often, one or more products can serve the same application. 

A clear understanding of the application and the environment where the cable is used will often point to the right product line. For extreme application environments or very specific technical requirements, Prysmian’s engineering and customer service teams are ready to help. We will help you find the right cable for your needs. 

This easy-to-use checklist outlines the key questions you will need to ask to determine the right cable for a particular application:

1. What is the application? 
   1. Environmental Conditions
   2. Temperature/Humidity (minimum/maximum ranges)
   3. Moisture (will the cable be submerged or exposed to weather, rain, etc.?)
   4. Dirt/Dust
   5. Chemical Exposure (gases, oils, alkalis, acids, cleaning materials)
   6. Critical Service/Reliability Needs
2. What is the voltage?
3. What is the amperage?
4. What is the gauge size?
5. How many conductors does the application require?
6. What is the stranding? (Some applications require higher-count stranding for better flexibility)
7. What is the overall length needed? (Important in calculating voltage drop)
8. Is any special conductor color-coding needed?
9. Does this cable need agency approvals (UL, CSA, MSHA, RoHS, etc.)?

Answers to these questions will help you determine the right product for the application. While this information is sufficient for most applications, good engineering practice remains essential. 

Prysmian’s customer service and engineering teams are ready to help you find the right cord product for all your application needs. Our team has the skill and knowledge to select and even custom-engineer cord products for your most demanding and challenging applications.