Unex Cable Tray 66: 30 Years In Situ & Still Strong
A look into the longevity of Unex Cable Tray 66 starting in 1986
In 1986 the Sydney Water Corporation required cable management systems for their Fairfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. Our partner Unex worked with Sydney water to install Unex Cable Tray 66 U23X (Grey RAL 7030 colour) throughout the plant to run cabling outdoors.
In 2012 and in 2017, Unex revisited the site to see how their cable trays have performed under the harsh, Australian sunlight and scorching, summer temperatures, over such a long period of time. During both these visits photos were taken of the trays in situ and in 2017 part of one tray was cut-out creating ‘aged’ samples to show how well Unex Cable Tray 66 is such a great option for long term, no maintenance and no earthing cable management. After 31 years it still performs as perfectly as the day it was installed (with only some slight discolouring).
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Unex Cable Tray 66 outside, between steel pipework and handrails.
The Site
The primary stormwater treatment plant in the Western Sydney suburb of Fairfield processes water during storm events and discharges into Georges River during wet weather.
The plant is one of many in Sydney which ensure less than one per cent of Sydney’s wastewater is discharged untreated to the ocean. Information about the Fairfield site and others managed by Sydney Water can be seen here.
Removing 30 Year Old Unex Cable Tray 66
A segment of Unex cable tray 66 installed outside as a test to highlight the product’s capabilities in the Australian climate.
In 2017, a sample was cut off to show how well the U23X material is able to handle 30 years of UV exposure and the high, Australian summer temperatures.
The extracted samples.
The final sample. Other than slight visual discolouration, the material has maintained strength over this long time period without any maintenance.
Why Choose Unex PVC-based Cable Tray?
The Australian market for cable management systems most commonly uses galvanised steel. However, water treatment plants and other facilities with corrosive chemicals can quickly cause galvanised steel to corrode and fibreglass requires maintenance over time. Furthermore, installation of steel requires earthing and is heavy, and fibreglass is difficult to install.
Unex cable tray 66 is made from a PVC-based material called U23X, a specially formulated plastic that maintains strength over long periods of time in locations with high temperatures, strong UV and weather exposure. It isn’t susceptible to corrosion from water or chemicals and doesn’t require maintenance. The material is easy to cut during installation and many components simply click into place.
Unlike other materials, Unex cable tray 66 doesn’t require earthing, it’s unaffected by humidity and corrosion, and easy to install.
Unex Products
As the Australian distributor for Unex Cable Management Systems we stock and supply Unex Insulating Cable Tray 66, Unex Trunking 73, Unex Cable Ties and more.
Fusion can also assist with all technical support, product selection and supply / installation services.
Find out more about: Unex Cable Management Systems Range | Our Installation Services | Our Fabrication Services
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