PRESS INFORMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alpha Wire announces UL approval
on its enhanced XTRA•GUARD® 4 cables
for sub zero applications

Elizabeth, NJ, …Leading supplier of advanced solutions and service in wire, cable and tubing, Alpha Wire Company, has announced the launch of its significantly enhanced XTRA•GUARD® 4 product line following research by the company with its existing key end use customers. The results of the survey highlighted the need for a cable capable of remaining flexible even at temperatures as low as -50°C. A unique jacket construction has just received UL approval and is pushing the boundaries for reliable cable performance in extreme cold environments.

XTRA•GUARD 4 has always been well regarded for its performance in both high and low temperature environments that demanded strong resistance to oils, chemicals, solvents or fuels, as well as environments requiring low halogenated cables. However, the physical attributes of the cable also meant that it was quite stiff and inflexible. This latest revision, with its unique jacket material, answers the flexibility issue without any compromise on other attributes of the cable. This improved flexibility also means that the cable is easier to handle and route, making installation more efficient in terms of time and cost.

XTRA•GUARD 4 demonstrates excellent flexibility across the full operating temperature range +125°C to -50°C making it perfect for a variety of applications including:

• Sporting events, military applications and temporary wiring during emergencies or short term events - XTRA·GUARD 4 has long possessed the physical and mechanical attributes of extreme resistance to abrasion, cut-through, ultraviolet light, water and most chemicals, but was too stiff to be considered for applications where the cable had to be deployed temporarily and recovered for later reuse. Now with the new jacket material, the cable is an excellent choice for these field deployable applications.
  
  
• Process control for factories, industrial equipment, such as lathes, mills and cutting tools, and as wiring on construction equipment - In most cable installations some or all of the cable must be routed (pulled) into place. Frequently the cable is only slightly smaller than the space into which it is to be installed, meaning that stiff cables make the installation far more difficult and expensive because of the extra physical effort employed to overcome the cable’s stiffness and its resistance to conforming to the installation route. For those applications that require the unique physical, mechanical and environmental performance attributes of a high performing electronic cable, as well as the ability to be routed easily, the use of XTRA·GUARD 4 now provides the answer.
  
  
• Refrigerated areas and freezers - This includes use on or in large scale environmental (temperature) test chambers as well as the frozen food industry. The extra -10°C on the cold temperature end may directly allow a new range of applications as well as where customers simply want a larger safety factor between the application cold temperature and the cable rating.
  
  
• Arctic applications - The use of XTRA·GUARD 4 for oil and gas pipeline control and in refining and processing facilities has been well established over the years. Again, the extra -10°C will now allow XTRA·GUARD 4 applications to migrate further north, deeper into the arctic.
  
  
• Construction equipment and vehicles – These companies generally desire the widest possible temperature ranges for their equipment. The enhanced XTRA·GUARD 4 product can now be used in applications where cables with more expensive thermosetting jackets are traditionally employed. Here, the high temperature rating of +125°C, which remains unchanged from the previous product, means that it can withstand the heat of an engine compartment and still operate in the bitterest cold, down to -50°C.

David Watson, XTRA•GUARD®/Alpha Wire INDUSTRIAL SERIES Product Marketing Manager, for Alpha Wire Company commented: “The launch of this latest revision of XTRA•GUARD 4 represents an appreciable improvement in field reliability for our end use customers. The cable’s cold temperature rating has been significantly increased from -40°C to -50°C, while the cable’s flexible attributes have also been considerably improved. XTRA•GUARD 4 addresses many of the issues faced by our customers and I am confident that it will be even more well received with these enhanced characteristics.”

Sandy Jaouen, Director of Marketing for Alpha Wire Company, added: “I am delighted that we have gained UL approval on this product and are now able to take it to the market. There are cable manufacturers out there that boast of cables for cold conditions or flexible cables. As far as I am aware Alpha Wire is the only company to have effectively combined both cable characteristics. We are committed to delivering real business and technology advantages to our customers and constantly survey our customer base to ensure that we meet their demands. Surveys of existing XTRA•GUARD 4 customers highlighted the need for a colder operating cable with improved flexibility across the full operating temperature range and the new XTRA•GUARD 4 satisfies this demand.”

For detailed information on XTRA•GUARD 4 please visit www.xtraguard.com or contact your local distributor.

About Alpha Wire Company

For over 80 years Alpha Wire Company has designed, developed and manufactured wire, cable and tubing products for technologically advanced industries. Its single goal is to help customers find the best possible systems solutions to their production and manufacturing challenges. From its leading XTRA•GUARD® cables offering extreme performance for extreme environments to FIT® Preferred Heat Shrink Products providing simple, comprehensive tubing solutions to the Alpha Wire INDUSTRIAL SERIES of technologically advanced cable systems for automotive and industrial factory automation, Alpha Wire Company brings customers the right products for the right applications – anywhere in the world.

Alpha Wire also specializes in the design and manufacture of special customized cable products at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Leominster, MA. As a custom cable manufacturer, Alpha Wire Company produces the exact specified cable product.

Alpha’s logistical excellence and broad inventory availability provide dependable, same-day shipment and next day delivery to most international destinations.

Alpha Wire continues to develop the industry’s next generation of wire, cable and tubing products aimed at tomorrow’s high technology demands.

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