What is the fastest way to replace cables in e-loops?
Tim Schneebeck | 27. April 2020
One great advantage of the e-loop is its modularity. That means that each part of the product can be replaced separately. This is not true of conventional service loops, for example.
There are basically two methods of replacing a cable:
- The e-loop is opened on its outer side by loosening the screws. The old cable is removed and replaced with a new one.
- The new cable is fixed to the cables to be replaced. The old cable is then pulled from the e-loop, and the new cable pulled in.
What do you have to pay attention to?
For both methods, we recommend that the e-loop always be laid straight on the floor or ground. This ensures that the cables are lying straight in the e-loop. With reference to the two points, note the following: Concerning 1: loosening the screws can take a long time, since they are secured twice, so the cotter pin must be removed before they can be unscrewed. Ten screws must be loosened for each metre of e-loop. Concerning 2: if plug-in connectors are used, they must be removed from the cable for method 2 (pulling the cables through), since the e-loop interior is too small.
Which method is best?
Tests show that method 2 takes much less time than method 1. We were able to install a new cable within 15 minutes. At the beginning of the test, the e-loop was already completely unrolled on the floor. For comparison, it took about one minute to loosen a single screw. That would be 100 minutes for a 10-m e-loop, before the actual cable replacement. When the cable is pulled through, ensure that the two cables are tightly connected to one another. This prevents them from coming uncoupled if friction is too great, which would mean repeating the step. If the cables become uncoupled while they are being pulled, a spiral can be used to pull them through. A spiral is very rigid and is easy to thread into the e-loop.