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Product category: Cabling, Conduit, Accessories and Signal Conditioning
News Release from: Metway Electrical Industries | Subject: Metway Superflex cabling housings
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 25 January 2008

Wiring stands up to Antarctic conditions

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Metway Electrical Industries has recently secured the order to supply a pre-fabricated wiring system for a scientific research centre in Antarctica.

Metway Electrical Industries has secured the order to supply a pre-fabricated wiring system for a scientific research centre in Antarctica Halley VI is the latest in the series of Halley stations that have been operating since 1956

It is being built to house up to 52 members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Designed by Faber Maunsell and Hugh Broughton Architects, the new station incorporates seven 60-tonne laboratory, energy and sleeping modules raised on giant legs and booted with skis.

There is also a separate large module, which houses all the administrative and living facilities.

The elevated modular configuration lifts Halley VI above accumulating surface snow (up to 1.5m per year) and enables it to be moved periodically to accommodate shifts and cracks in its location on the Brunt Ice Shelf.

Working with MandE supply contractor Merit Merrell Technology and consultants Faber Maunsell, Metway's Wiring System Division has put forward a pre-fabricated wiring solution designed to supply all luminaires and small power units.

The sytem uses Metway Superflex cabling housings, with an additional twisted pair together with the four-core mains-rated flexible cable in the same outer sheathing.

Metway GST Connectors have colour and mechanical coding to allow all pluggable parts to latch.

Additional cabling accommodates a DALI lighting control system.

A range of Metway Tee modules and accessories create a complete and robust off-site wiring solution.

Steve Chessell, Wiring Systems General Manager for Metway, explained: "The system needed to be completely foolproof and able to withstand the extraordinarily hostile environment, where external temperatures can fall to - 55C and gales can reach 100 miles an hour (161km/h)".

"We had to allow for rapid and easy installation, because work is being carried out to a tight timescale and with no room for error".

The BAS has been conducting scientific research in Antarctica for nearly 60 years, employing over 400 staff and operating three stations in Antarctica and two on South Georgia.

Research at Halley includes studying ozone reduction, atmospheric pollution, rising sea levels and climate change.

The Halley VI modules, incorporating the Metway pre-fabricated wiring system, are currently being shipped via Cape Town for onward shipping to Antarctica for construction over three Antarctic summer seasons.

Halley VI is due to become operational in December 2010.

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