The PROCON instrumentation range is a particular group of cables used for the interconnection of electrical instruments and control equipment in industrial processing plants. They are a vital link in remote monitoring sensory control systems such as 4-20mA current loop signalling, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, resistance temperature detectors (RTD) and thermocouple remote monitoring.

They can be used in RS232, RS422, and RS485 applications such as the interconnection/interface of electronic process control equipment, and are suitable for use in those areas where it is necessary to provide protection from:

• interference to the transmission signal by other electrical circuits.
• physical damage to the cable by including various protective measures in the design.

Typical uses are for interconnecting:

• electrical measuring devices to instrument panel
• instrument to instrument; electrical sensing devices
• control cabinets to supervisory consoles and panels
• remote auxiliary contacts to supervisory indicators
• telemeters to recorders and annunciators and for general transmission of electrical signals in any systems of remote control, indicators, telemetering, monitoring and analysis where rugged communication type cable is required.

Typical wiring systems will use multi-pair cables to connect control room equipment to junction panels in field junction boxes. Single pair cables are used to connect junction panels to field devices.

These cables are intended for use in instrumentation and control circuits where the normal operating voltages would not be expected to exceed 110V rms. They cannot be regarded as power cables, or for the direct connection of equipment to mains power supplies.

The following standards generally apply to this range of cables:

Conductors to AS/NZS 1125
Insulation and Sheathing Materials to AS/NZS 3808
Intrinsically Safe circuits to AS 2380.7 & AS 2381.7
Fire retardant to IEC 60332-3 Category A and/or IEC 60332-1.
Australian standard AS/ACIF S008

CS All instrumentation cables are overall screened to provide shielding from outside interference.
ESCS This offers improved signal shielding, each unit in the cable is shielded against interference from signals on other elements within the cable, followed by an overall screen to protect from external sources.

SWA While all cables offer very robust construction, additional armouring can be added to protect the cable from mechanical stresses and damage.

BL Light blue sheaths can be requested for intrinsically safe installations to AS 2380.7 & AS2381.7.
HFS Low Smoke and/or Halogen free materials are available where this level of safety or environmental performance is required.

NJ Nylon Jacket, offering termite protection.
MB Moisture Barrier, where protection from wet environmental conditions is required.
SPEAR A SPEAR sheath is a protective outer jacket construction that can be applied to the standard instrumentation cable range. A SPEAR sheath is used in situations where buried cables need protection from moisture, oil, fuel, hydrocarbons, solvents, acids and a variety of organic and inorganic chemicals. A SPEAR sheath is principally specified for oil refineries or any petrochemical or industrial application where the conditions could damage the installed cable.
The SPEAR advantages over traditional lead sheath are; lighter, more flexible, safer, easier to install, corrosion resistant, less expensive. Local and multi-national organisations such as BP, Caltex, Mobil, PRA, and Shell have used the SPEAR construction to protect their cables.