ABB Adaptaflex PCC/PCF composite fittings offer reduced weight and enhanced strength for transport infrastructures and buildings where fire safety concerns can emerge

Responding to market demands from across the transport sector, ABB Adaptaflex have successfully introduced a range of corrosion-resistant composite fittings for applications in exposed areas.

The PCC and PCF range of cable protection fittings, benefit from increased strength by combining nickel plated brass with impact modified glass filled nylon materials.  Significantly this also reduces the product weight by up to 50% when compared with traditional metal alternatives such as steel, whilst providing comparable or higher impact resistance against traditional cast iron fittings.

Designed for use with either coarse (PCC) or fine (PCF) corrugated conduit in sizes 13mm to 54mm, the new fittings have been specifically designed for robust, long-term service in exposed areas such as at trackside and on bogies and trams. Available as straight, 45° and 90° swivel elbows, the nickel-plated brass ends of the fittings are constructed to offer optimised strength and impact resistance.

The body of the fitting is a modular, compression-type fitting manufactured in glass-filled, impact-modified PA66 for its strength and impact resistance properties.

The modularity of the compression-type fitting allows flexibility configurations to be created, locking components together into a single, sealed unit with exceptional pull-out strength, guaranteeing long-term integrity while also allowing 360° rotation. Completing the new fittings, are Neoprene seals selected for their ingress protection and excellent chemical stability properties over a wide temperature range.

Extensively evaluated and currently in use on an extensive number of projects in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the UK, the components are certified for key industry standards, such as UR, IEC61386 and ISO60529. Experience gained through working with manufacturers across Europe, provided ABB with the insight to design the 45° and 90° elbows with smooth bore interiors as standard, to reduce snagging of cables and wiring against traditional cast products, during installation.

Meirion Buck at ABB, explained: “The PCC and PCF ranges have been developed as a direct response to more stringent conditions and specific customer requests, for example the need for materials which are resistant to caustic cleaning chemicals. As always, our goal is to exceed customer and industry expectations in all areas of performance, safety and service life – and with these systems already seeing service in light rail and tram applications across Europe, we believe we are well on the way to achieve that.”