If the standard cable is not sufficient

The Lapp catalog lists over 40,000 articles, mainly cables that transmit electrical energy, switching signals or data. But sometimes even the huge range reaches its limits and customers cannot find the right product with the necessary technical properties for their specific applications. Or the properties are right, but the cable lacks certification for the region or industry to which the customer wants to deliver.

In such cases, Lapp's product management team can help. It evaluates product ideas from customers or the requirements of the market or industry and uses these to develop a product requirement. Among other things, it defines the structure and, above all, the functionality of the cable. Lapp engineers draw on their experience from more than six decades of cable design and thousands of customer projects, as well as information from various databases on materials and standards. This is followed by a risk assessment, which determines the parameters within which the product can be operated safely. Product samples are then manufactured, tested and a possible product certification is carried out. The product is then released for production. This usually takes six months, but can sometimes take considerably longer if the product development team has to enter new technical territory or if extensive tests and certifications are required.

Redesign if the certification is missing

In around half of all inquiries, varying norms and standards are the reason for developing a new cable design. Global or continental standards such as IEC, EN and UL standards are usually covered, but there are also special requirements that only apply in one country or market. One example: India has its own standard for photovoltaic cables, which is based on IEC but has a few special features. It prescribes different printing and special tests. Another example: In the industrial environment, products are defined by industry standards for new technologies. This often concerns servo and motor cables, but also Ethernet technology, for example with solutions for Single Pair Ethernet. One advantage is that Lapp has production facilities worldwide and is therefore close to its customers and markets. Special cables are manufactured where they are needed, which avoids long delivery times and is ecologically and economically more sustainable.

But how do you keep track of the multitude of norms and standards? Lapp has set up its own standards office in Stuttgart, which takes care of the globally relevant norms, standards and specifications and maintains a comprehensive database of all requirements. At the same time, Lapp is involved in standardization committees around the world in order to promote practical solutions. Its experience is highly valued there. "Not everything is described in standards, we have certain freedoms that we use in cable design in the interests of the customer," says Alexander Terpe, Head of Product Development Cables. The team always carries out a risk assessment - "because every product has to be safe," says Terpe.