The Importance of Oil Resistant Cable

Of all the chemical exposures that can affect the life and performance of electrical cables, oil is one of the most    damaging. Used as a coolant and lubricant in many industrial and infrastructure settings, oil can inflict molecular damage on the polymers used for cable insulation and jacketing. If ignored, oil damage to cables can be severe. It will ultimately result in cable failure, downtime and replacement costs.

Awareness of oil damage has been on the upswing in recent years, thanks to regulatory changes and the increased performance characteristics in renewable energy, automotive assembly and other advanced production facilities.  Fortunately, there are cables that have been designed from the ground up to resist the effects of cooling and lubricating oils. Here’s a closer look at how oil degrades cables, how to diagnose oil exposure problems and how to select cables that can stand up to oils over the long haul:

DEGRADATION MECHANISM

Why does oil cause such excessive damage on some types of insulations and jackets, while others are more resistant? The main reason is that not all polymer compounds offer equivalent performance even if they have the same family name. This is true for many physical properties, including oil resistance. For example, some PVC compounds have a higher degree of flame resistance, while others have better oil resistance. Still others demonstrate improved flexibility characteristics. PVC formulations vary greatly, depending on the desired properties and applications.

These properties can be achieved by adjusting the formulations of a particular PVC compound. The modification or addition of flame-retardants (iodine), stabilizers, and fillers allow the compound to exhibit these types of enhanced characteristics. However, when certain PVC characteristics are improved, the enhancement sometimes comes at a cost, the cost being that other performance traits are affected or completely lost. 

Oil can cause polymers, such as those used for cable insulation and jacketing, to degrade and crack. Selecting an oil-resistant cable is the best way to avoid this failure mode. 

With oil resistance in particular, all wire and cable insulations are not created equal. Electrical, environmental, mechanical, and chemical attributes will vary depending upon the individual compound formulations. Insulating compounds contain a specific amount of plasticizers in their individual formulations, which help promote flexibility and resistance to fatigue. When compounds are exposed to lubricating and coolant processing oils the material either absorbs the oil or the plasticizer will diffuse from the compound.

When oil is absorbed, it causes severe swelling and softening of the compound resulting in degradation of tensile properties. When the oil causes diffusion of the compound plasticizer, hardening will result and all flexibility and elongation properties are lost.  In short, oil attacks the insulating compound, where it will become virtually ineffective in its primary role as an effective insulator.

This action can create a possibly very hazardous situation, not only to human life, but also to the overall function of the industrial machinery to which it is connected. This results in very expensive downtime, costly repair and in the worst-case scenario, entire replacement of the machine.

APPLICATION CONDITIONS MATTER TOO

The specific application will determine if oil is used as a lubricant, coolant or both.  Acting as a lubricant, oil might be applied to a gear system driven by motors to prevent premature wear down and insure smooth operation. Acting as a coolant, oil might be applied during the machine lathing process to keep metal from becoming too hot.  And oil exposures don’t just happen in factories but also in infrastructure applications. In wind turbines, for example, cables high up in the nacelle can potentially see constant exposure to lubricating and cooling oils for very long periods of time.

Temperature extremes and other chemical exposures can exacerbate the damage caused by oils. Wind turbines applications, for example, subject cables not just to oils but also to temperature extremes.   Oil rarely makes up the sole threat to cables. Instead, it works in concert with other degradation mechanisms, including temperature. In general, the greater the intensity of the oil exposure and ambient temperatures, the faster oil will start the deterioration process.

AVOIDING OIL DAMAGE

Once it gets underway, oil damage is not reversible. But it can be prevented by selecting cables with inherent oil resistance. Without a deep knowledge of the specific polymer compounds used in the cable you’re considering, it can be difficult to know which products can stand up to oils.   And that’s why testing is so important. To avoid oil resistance problems, engineers should pay close attention to UL tests, which help determine how a cable will react in the industrial oil environment.

These tests are more commonly referred to as the Oil Res I and Oil Res II tests, which involve continuous immersion of the cable samples in IRM 902 Oil at elevated temperatures for a specified period of time. Passing results are determined by the evaluation of mechanical properties and observations of physical damage caused by the oil exposure. In 2000, Lapp approached UL about creating tougher standards which resulted in the creation of AWM style 21098, which takes oil resistance to a new level.

The oil resistance of cables has now become a critical performance parameter when electrical contractors, engineers, and installers specify cables. As time moves forward, superior oil resistant cables will become standard, rather than the exception.

Let us assume, for example, that the cable jacket of your product is going to be tested for compliance to UL Oil Res II. Tensile and Elongation tests must be performed both on the original (unaged) and oil immersed (aged) test samples and must be prepared as defined under UL Standard 2556. Die cut dumbbell specimens are taken from the jacket and are then tested for tensile strength and elongation.

As for sample preparation, two marks are applied approximately 1.3 inches apart from each other and equidistant from the center of the dumbbell sample. (See diagram below). These marks are applied at right angles to the direction of the pull in the testing apparatus. The sample is then clamped on the tester with one- inch marks outside of and between the grips. The grips are then separated at the rate of 20 inches per minute until the sample breaks. Results are then recorded for elongation and pound force breakage; tensile strength is calculated by dividing the pound force by the cross sectional area of the specimen.

The demands of the industrial environment are on going, with ever changing trends. Cables, which were once able to sustain functional and operational integrity a decade ago, would not be adequate to survive in the environment of a present day manufacturing site. Everywhere, from the Machine builders, Food & Beverage to Automotive Assembly Plants, to material handling warehouse and logistics centers and even in some commercial buildings, the oil resistance of cables has become increasingly important. Oils serve a dual-purpose role in industrial applications, both as a coolant and lubricant, depending upon the requirements mandated by the end use application. Sustaining trouble free cable operation under harsh chemical and environmental conditions reduces costly manufacturing down time and helps to eliminate or minimize periodic maintenance and costly cable replacement. All of these factors mentioned play a major role that is critical to a consistent, smoothly run manufacturing operation, which in the end, results in higher profit margins.
 
Regulatory and Code Changes
With the changes to the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the past 10 years, protective conduit or raceway is no longer required when running an exposed run (-ER) cable from the tray to the equipment or device. Previously, when the cable was extended from tray to machine, conduit or raceway was used primarily as a protection mechanism in helping to prevent cable damage. Originally TC-ER cable (previously printed “open wiring”) had a length limitation of 50 ft. from the tray to the equipment. The 50 Ft. allowances resolved a large “grey” area in the industrial environment and was initially a well-received solution by the industry. Due to the overwhelming acceptance of the 50 ft. length allowance, the NEC committee enacted further changes shortly thereafter, permitting unlimited length of TC-ER under Article 336. With the advent of unlimited length, Article 336 also brought other issues, like a greater area of cable exposure and susceptibility to the surrounding industrial environment. Under the typical conditions of operation, consideration for factors such as ambient temperature, a cables mechanical strength, unintended movement and constant exposure to industrial lubricating and coolant oils must be taken into account. When exposed to these conditions, the cable inevitably will begin to deteriorate; the overall jacket may swell and/or crack, creating a potentially hazardous condition, along with machine and production down time. These possible problems are undesirable and necessitate the need to implement cable protection measures. When referring to NFPA 79, the electrical standard for industrial machinery, Machine Tool Wire (MTW) is one type of cable permitted. Under the standard for machine tool wire, UL 1063, passing the Oil Res I test is required and further severe testing such as the Oil Res II is optional.

Environmental resistance tests, such as those per UL Standards were implemented in response to the globalization of industry with the goal of standardizing the oil resistance requirements of cables used in manufacturing industrial machinery throughout the world.
 
 
What Happens
All wire and cable insulations are not created equal. Electrical, environmental, mechanical, and chemical attributes will vary depending upon the individual compound formulations. Insulating compounds contain a specific amount of plasticizers in their individual formulations, which help promote flexibility and resistance to fatigue. When compounds are exposed to lubricating and coolant processing oils the material either absorbs the oil or the plasticizer will diffuse from the compound. When oil is absorbed, it causes severe swelling and softening of the compound resulting in degradation of tensile properties. When the oil causes diffusion of the compound plasticizer, hardening will result and all flexibility and elongation properties are lost. The attached pictures will illustrate the effects that oil can inflict on cable jackets and insulation:
 
Cracking – Caused during exposure of the PVC to oil or other chemicals due the complete removal of plasticizers, resulting in hardening and eventual cracking of the insulation and jacket.
 
Melting – Caused during exposure of the PVC to oil or other chemicals due to the absorption and combination with the plasticizer, resulting in softening and the high elasticity noted in the compound.
 
Swelling – Caused during exposure of the PVC to oil or other chemicals due to migration of the oils into the plasticizer, resulting in noticeable increases in insulation and jacket diameter.
 
Discoloring – Caused during the exposure of the PVC to oil or other chemicals due to the diffusion of the plasticizers along with colorant from the insulation and jacket.
 
Now, in addition to cable replacement costs, there is also the expense of reinstallation to be taken into account. To avoid these types of unwanted scenarios, the customer must review the properties of the cables they are about to consider for their application and determine suitability for the oil environment. There are UL tests, which help determine how a cable will react in the industrial oil environment. These tests are more commonly referred to as the Oil Res I and Oil Res II tests, which involve continuous immersion of the cable samples in IRM 902 at elevated temperatures for a specified period of time. Passing results are determined by the evaluation of mechanical properties and observations of physical damage caused by the oil exposure. In 2000, Lapp as an innovator and leader, approached UL about creating tougher standards which resulted in the creation of AWM style 21098.The table below indicates the industry standard tests that are used to evaluate wire and cable oil exposure performance:
 
Industry Oil Exposure Tests
Example of Tensile and Elongation Test Methods
Let us assume, for example, that the cable jacket of your product is going to be tested for compliance to UL Oil Res II. Tensile and Elongation tests must be performed both on the original (unaged) and oil immersed (aged) test samples and must be prepared as defined under UL Standard 2556. Die cut dumbbell specimens are taken from the jacket and are then tested for tensile strength and elongation.

As for sample preparation, two marks are applied approximately 1.3 inches apart from each other and equidistant from the center of the dumbbell sample. (See diagram on next page). These marks are applied at right angles to the direction of the pull in the testing apparatus. The sample is then clamped on the tester with one-inch marks outside of and between the grips. The grips are then separated at the rate of 20 inches per minute until the sample breaks. Results are then recorded for elongation and pound force breakage; tensile strength is calculated by dividing the pound force by the cross sectional area of the specimen.
 
Die-Cut Specimen
Untested die cut samples are aged under the UL Oil Res II requirement of 75°C for 60 days. After 60 days, the samples are removed from the oil for a minimum of 16 hours. They are then tested for tensile and elongation, which must retain 65% of the unaged values. 
 
Conclusion
The oil resistance of cables has now become a critical performance parameter when electrical contractors, engineers, and installers specify cables for end use application designs. The continued growing popularity of oil resistance requirements is due to changes in standard regulations and the increased performance characteristics that are mandated by certain industries: Machine builders, Automotive Assembly Plants and other production facilities. As time moves forward, superior oil resistant cables will become standard, rather than the exception and the demand for this type of operating performance will only continue to grow.
 
NEC Interpretation
As a customer courtesy, when requested, we at LAPP will at times provide our opinions regarding interpretation of NEC articles. It is very important to remember that these are our opinions only; as a manufacturer of wire and cable we are not a “jurisdictional authority”. Opinions expressed by LAPP concerning NEC article interpretations are never to be construed as a “guide” or “advice” depicting specific approved installation wiring methods and cable requirements. Only the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can provide the final determination and approve equipment, materials, an installation or wiring procedure that will comply with NEC requirements. An interpretation of NEC code regulations by the AHJ is the only decision maker regarding any electrical installation in the US; however be advised that AHJ decisions can vary between the individual states and local municipalities. Before any installation, we recommend and highly advise to contact the AHJ in your area regarding any questions concerning specific NEC installation requirements or approved wiring methods before committing to any cable purchase.
 
Definitions 
Industrial Machine – A power driven machine (or a group of machines working together in a coordinated manner), not portable by hand while working, that is used to process material by cutting, forming, pressure, electrical, thermal, or optical techniques, lamination, or a combination of these processes. It can include associated equipment used to transfer material or tooling, including fixtures, to assemble/disassemble, to inspect or test, or to package.
 
Machine Tool Wire – Thermoplastic wire or cable for use as specified in the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and in the National Fire Protection Association Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery (NFPA 79).
 
NFPA 70 – The National Electrical Code (NEC) is a standard, which covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communication conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways for residential premises, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. This code is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual for untrained persons.
 
NFPA 79 – The Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, a standard, which provides detailed information for the application of electrical/electronic equipment, apparatus, or systems supplied as part of industrial machines that will promote safety to life and property. The provisions of this standard apply to the electrical/electronic equipment, apparatus, or systems of industrial machines operating from a nominal voltage of 600 volts less, and commencing from the point of connection of the supply to the electrical equipment of the machine.
 
Oil Res I Test – UL test which determines oil resistance of wire and cable under test conditions of complete immersion in IRM 902 oil for a period of 4 days at a temperature of 100°C. Requires 50% retention of the original values obtained for tensile and elongation, this test is a requirement for any wires or cables that are manufactured to UL 1063.
 
Oil Res II Test – UL test which determines oil resistance of wire and cable under test conditions of complete immersion in IRM 902 oil for a period of 60 days at a temperature of 75°C. Requires 65% retention of the original values obtained for tensile and elongation, this test is an optional requirement for any wires or cables that are manufactured to UL 1063, but is required now as a standard oil test for the Wind Turbine Industry.