An industrial environment will have many kinds of machinery, equipment, and electronics to assist the workers in completing their daily tasks. Unfortunately, a large amount of tech in the workplace comes with a mess of tangled wires and connections unless they are adequately organized and managed.
An efficient way of solving this problem would be to use wiring harnesses that group together bunches of wires into one neat, workable installation. Electrical engineers worldwide implement this method, especially for heavy-duty industrial use, and the market indicators agree. According to Market Watch, this industry will be worth millions by 2028.
Technology and robotics are advancing at an alarming rate and are expected to become common in many industrial settings in the future. For this reason, there is an increase in the use of wiring harnesses. That said, below are some of the use and applications of wiring harnesses worth noting:
1. When Customization Is Necessary
Depending on the type of operation the industrial environment needs to support, there are many different layouts for the machinery and connections between them. It will be up to the electrical engineer to plan the most efficient way of laying out the wiring and would then need to create a suitable cable harness design.
Not only does this approach helps ensure accuracy, but it can also give engineers the freedom to create the custom design they would need for more difficult electrical installation projects.
2. To Simplify The Installation Process And Save Time
Because wire harnesses simplify the installation by grouping various wires, installers can save time and effort when they don’t have to run each cable. In this case, the wiring harness can be installed as a unit, which can also help eliminate faulty wiring. It may be especially true with installing new communications platforms in the industrial space, like VoIP headsets.
In addition, having numerous wires to connect could confuse the engineering team. Still, a premanufactured wiring harness with the appropriate connectors on the ends could create a plug-and-play concept for the installers. Moreover, industrial companies could lose millions by not having a specific part of their machinery or workspace operational and would thus always prefer a quick, effortless, accurate installation.
3. To Ensure Safe Operations
Industrial settings could be noisy, always bustling with activity, and some could even involve fluids or abrasive substances. With that in mind, electrical systems can be at risk, especially since they’re easily exposed to many disturbances, which may cause overvoltage. Overvoltage occurs when the cable or machine receives more electrical current than they are designed to carry, leading to safety concerns like damaging power surges or fire.
A wire harness can help protect electrical cables and connections from excess abrasions, tears, vibrations, and moisture. Furthermore, installing a fire-retardant coating on the harness can help prevent electrical fires.
4. To Reduce Workspace Clutter
Assembly lines and other industrial operations function like well-oiled machines. Every person works tirelessly to have all processes meticulously executed with the highest precision. However, a tangled mess of wires could hinder this when hanging in the way of tools, hands, or feet. Not to mention, this can pose safety risks to your employees.
On the other hand, some work areas could have a limited amount of space for workers to complete their tasks, and having a bunch of wires they constantly have to take into account could lower their concentration and cause reduced productivity. Wiring harnesses can help address such issues.
5. To Lower Maintenance Costs And Reduce Energy Consumption
In the past, industrial companies had high maintenance costs for their electrical equipment, and the bulk of it would be from the cracked casings of the wiring, the breaking of cables due to them not being protected, and the meltdown of the outside coating from high temperatures. The innovative design of a suitable wire harness could significantly prevent this from happening and decrease maintenance costs by efficiently protecting the electrical wires from getting damaged due to external forces.
In addition, considering that the electricity demand of an industrial setting could be excessive, companies are looking for ways to save as much of this valuable utility as possible. However, damaged and frayed wires may cause you to consume more electricity, leading to costly utility bills.
Final Words
Wiring harnesses can provide industrial settings with many added benefits, including saving time and money, improving the safety of the workers, and eliminating too much downtime for maintenance. In one sleek design, electrical engineers can eliminate many of the common issues with wiring and make the installation process of these cables a breeze.
