How Steel reels provide greater protection to cables
Steel reels have corrugations on the flanges that have been designed and manufactured after taking into consideration the load factor and the rough handling it will be subjected to during shipping and unloading at the factory. The greater impact resistance capabilities of the reels allow it to provide more significant protection to cables. The perfectly concentrated metal spool with smooth flanges makes it easy to attach the end of the cable and at the same time facilitates rapid and uniform winding of the cable without any damages. Compared to wooden reels, Steel reels have higher resistance to cyclic weathering not to mention that they are termite resistant to allow cables a better protection. There is no absorption of water during the sea voyage and neither will it bulge or become heavier like wooden reels do.
Advantages of using steel cable reels
Due to technology, steel cable reels have been designed to become 40% to 45% lighter than wooden reels of a similar capacity. Steel cable reels are produced at 600mm diameters up to 4000mm diameters to satisfy the requirements of cable manufacturers. There are collapsible steel reels that can be easily assembled and disassembled even by unskilled workers. When the segments are knocked down, it reduces space requirements and allows more reels to be transported at one time to reduce shipping costs. Due to standardization, flanges and barrels of collapsible reels can be interchanged to allow for fuller utilization until the end of their physical life. It minimizes scrapping of the whole reel since some of its working parts can be put to good use. Reuse of the reels for 20 times and more make it a more economical choice. The cost reduction becomes more significant if the scrap value of the reels at the end of its life cycle is taken into account.
Reel systems as protection for highly sensitive fiber optics
The use of fiber optics has significantly increased in the oil and gas industry to enhance productivity due to data reliability and availability. The applications of fiber optics are present in both inshore and offshore communication systems to monitor operations and security. Given the environment in which fiber optics will reside, it is important that are housed in a reel system where they can be easily deployed. Reel systems provide the necessary protection for sensitive fiber optics and also simplify shipping and transport. Potential damage to the fiber optic is minimized and reduces the need to refurbish the components frequently because it given the right protection during its deployment.