Airports

Airports cables are essential for maintaining connectivity and safety in these complex environments. They ensure effective communication between critical lighting, navigation, and air traffic control systems, thus supporting efficient operations and safe flights.

Key Features

These cables must withstand challenging environmental conditions and offer durability to reduce maintenance costs. Their ability to provide reliable connectivity is vital for the safe and continuous operation of airport infrastructure as a whole.

Core Benefits

The operational reliability of airport cables is crucial to avoid disruptions and failures in critical systems. Their performance ensures flight safety and efficiency in the overall operation of airport facilities.

Types of Airport Cables

Among the types of cables used in airports are those for electrical power, runway lighting, communications, and data networks. Each type is tailored to specific needs, ensuring smooth and efficient operation of various airport facilities.

Regulations and Standards

Regulations for airport electrical cables are governed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in its Annex 14, Part 4, Section 2.1. These regulations establish the requirements that electrical cables used in airports must meet, both in lighting systems and power supply systems.

Airport electrical cables must meet the following requirements:

• Mechanical resistance: Cables must be able to withstand the adverse environmental conditions they are exposed to in airports, such as ground traffic, vibrations, and extreme temperatures.
• Fire resistance: Cables must be fire-resistant to prevent fires in case of short circuits.
• Corrosion resistance: Cables must be corrosion-resistant to prevent deterioration over time.
• Moisture resistance: Cables must be moisture-resistant to prevent short circuits.

ICAO regulations also establish specific requirements for electrical cables used in airport lighting systems:

• Impact resistance: Cables must be able to withstand the impact of objects that may fall on them, such as airplanes or equipment parts.
• Tensile strength: Cables must be able to withstand the tension from suspension cables in lighting systems.
• UV radiation resistance: Cables must be UV-resistant to prevent deterioration from sun exposure.

The selection of electrical cables for airports must consider the specific requirements of each facility. In general, it is recommended to use copper cables insulated with XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene), which offer good mechanical, fire, corrosion, and moisture resistance.

In Spain, regulations for airport electrical cables are governed by Royal Decree 842/2002, of August 2, approving the Electrotechnical Regulation for low voltage. This regulation establishes the general requirements that electrical cables must meet, including those used in airports.

In addition to ICAO regulations and Royal Decree 842/2002, airport management companies may establish their own standards and requirements for electrical cables used in their facilities. These standards may be more stringent than general regulations to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical installations.