Introduction: The Multi-Application Workhorse

Most reeling cables are designed for a single application mode — typically motorised drum reeling. The NSHTOEu /3 defies this convention. It is explicitly rated for five distinct dynamic application modes: reeling operation, festoon systems, drag chain installations, multi-roller guidance, and free movement — each with its own application-specific bending radius requirement published directly on the Klaus Faber datasheet. This multi-application versatility, combined with resistance to acids, lyes, and oils (a chemical resistance profile unique among reeling cables), makes the NSHTOEu /3 the most versatile heavy-duty rubber reeling cable available in the DIN VDE 0250-814 product family.

The NSHTOEu /3 carries an additional distinction that premium CORDAFLEX variants do not: dual tensile ratings. Every configuration lists both Fzp (permanent tensile) and Fzd (dynamic tensile) values, giving cable specification engineers explicit data for both sustained-load and dynamic-load calculations. For the largest configuration (3×240+3×120/3), Fzp = 10,800 N and Fzd = 14,400 N — a 33% increase in permissible tensile under dynamic conditions, reflecting the cable’s ability to handle the transient peak loads that occur during rapid acceleration, deceleration, and direction-reversal in crane reeling operations.

Full Technical Specification

★ The 5-Mode Bending Radius Table: One Cable for Every Dynamic Application

The NSHTOEu /3 is the only reeling cable in the Klaus Faber catalogue that publishes a complete application-specific bending radius matrix covering five distinct operational modes. Every other cable — from the basic TROMMELFLEX to the premium CORDAFLEX XPRT — publishes only a fixed and a moving bending radius. The NSHTOEu /3 goes further, providing engineers with explicit minimum bending radii for each application type, indexed by cable outer diameter range.

This table has profound procurement implications. A single cable type can serve as reeling cable on a crane drum (6×D for the three-phase power configurations at >20 mm OD), festoon cable on the same crane’s trolley travel system (5×D at 13–20 mm OD), drag chain cable in the crane’s cable management system (5×D at 13–20 mm OD), and multi-roller guided cable on long-travel applications (7.5×D at >20 mm OD). Inventory managers can stock a single cable type that covers all four dynamic application modes on a single crane — dramatically reducing spare parts complexity and procurement overhead.

7 Three-Phase Power Configurations

Dual Fzp/Fzd Tensile: Permanent and Dynamic Ratings

The NSHTOEu /3 is one of the few reeling cables that publishes both Fzp (permanent tensile) and Fzd (dynamic tensile) for every configuration. This dual rating eliminates the guesswork that plagues cable specification when only one tensile value is provided.

The analysis reveals a perfectly consistent Fzd/Fzp ratio of 1.33× across all configurations — meaning the dynamic tensile allowance is exactly 33% above the permanent tensile in every case. The Fzp-per-mm² values hover around 12.8–13.0 N/mm², which is below the stated 20 N/mm² maximum. This indicates the practical Fzp limits are set by the overall cable construction (sheath bonding, torsion braid integrity, conductor-insulation interface) rather than by the copper conductor’s raw tensile capacity. The 20 N/mm² designation represents the conductor material limit, while the actual Fzp values represent the safe working limit of the complete cable assembly.

Chemical Resistance: Acids, Lyes, and Oils — A Unique Specification

The NSHTOEu /3 datasheet explicitly states the cable is “resistant to acids, lyes, and oils” — a chemical resistance profile that is unique among all reeling cables in the Klaus Faber catalogue. No CORDAFLEX, TROMMELFLEX, or SPREADERFLEX variant makes this claim. This chemical resistance is conferred by the combination of tinned copper conductors (tin is resistant to dilute acids and alkali solutions), EPR 3GI3 insulation (inherently resistant to many acids and bases), and the 5GM3 PCP outer sheath (polychloroprene’s natural resistance to a wide range of chemical agents).

This makes the NSHTOEu /3 the preferred reeling cable for chemical and process industry applications where the cable may contact acidic or alkaline process fluids — including paper mills (alkali pulping chemicals), fertiliser plants (acidic solutions), electroplating facilities (various acid baths), wastewater treatment plants (both acidic and alkaline conditions), food and beverage processing (cleaning chemicals), and pharmaceutical manufacturing (solvent and reagent exposure). The combination of chemical resistance with the 5-mode bending radius table means a single cable can serve as reeling cable, festoon cable, or drag chain cable in chemical processing environments — eliminating the need for specialised chemical-resistant cable variants in each application mode.

Construction Details: GM1b Inner Sheath and Split Earth

The NSHTOEu /3 uses rubber GM1b for its inner sheath — a chloroprene (CR) rubber compound that provides mechanical cushioning between the conductor bundle and the outer protective layers. The “GM1b” designation indicates a specific DIN VDE compound grade optimised for the inner sheath role: it absorbs impact stresses from rapid acceleration and deceleration of the reeling mechanism, prevents conductor bundle deformation under sustained tensile load, and provides electrical separation between the core assembly and the polyester torsion braid. This compound is distinct from both the 5GM5 used in premium CORDAFLEX variants and the 5GM3 used for the NSHTOEu /3’s own outer sheath — it is specifically formulated for the internal cushioning function rather than external abrasion resistance.

The split protective conductors in the outer interstices is a distinctive construction feature of the “/3” designation. Instead of a single full-size earth conductor, the protective earth is split into three half-size conductors positioned in the outer interstices (gaps) between the phase conductors. For example, in the 3×50+3×25/3 configuration, the “3×25/3” denotes three earth conductors, each 25/3 ≈ 8.33 mm², positioned symmetrically around the cable’s cross-section. This split earth construction provides three critical advantages: symmetrical cable geometry (improving drum winding behaviour), redundant earth path (if one earth conductor is damaged, two remain), and reduced individual conductor cross-section (improving flexibility per conductor element).

The black outer sheath colour distinguishes the NSHTOEu /3 from the yellow-sheathed CORDAFLEX and TROMMELFLEX families, providing immediate visual identification. In multi-cable installations where both premium (yellow) and standard (black) reeling cables are installed on the same crane, the colour coding allows maintenance technicians to instantly identify the cable type without consulting cable markings.

NSHTOEu /3 vs. CORDAFLEX (SMK): Position in the Product Hierarchy

Cost-Effective Alternative from Feichun

Feichun Lead Times: All 7 three-phase configurations: 4–8 weeks (most sizes in stock). European OEM: 16–24 weeks.

Technical FAQ

What does the “/3” in NSHTOEu /3 mean? The “/3” suffix designates the split protective conductor arrangement. The protective earth (PE) conductor is split into three smaller conductors positioned symmetrically in the outer interstices of the cable’s cross-section. In the designation “3×50+3×25/3”, the “3×25/3” means three earth conductors each of 25÷3 ≈ 8.33 mm² cross-section. This provides symmetrical cable geometry, redundant earth path, and improved flexibility compared to a single full-size earth conductor.

Why does the NSHTOEu /3 use 5GM3 instead of the 5GM5 used by CORDAFLEX XPRT? The 5GM3 is a mid-grade PCP compound per DIN VDE 0207-21 that provides excellent abrasion resistance, oil resistance, and flame retardancy at a lower material cost than the premium 5GM5. For the NSHTOEu /3’s target applications — which prioritise chemical resistance, multi-application versatility, and cost-effectiveness over maximum mechanical performance — the 5GM3 compound delivers the optimal balance. The 5GM3 still exceeds the requirements for acid, lye, and oil resistance that make this cable unique in the product family.

Why is the torsion rating ±25°/m instead of the ±50°/m on CORDAFLEX cables? The ±25°/m torsion rating reflects the NSHTOEu /3’s broader application scope — particularly festoon and drag chain installations where torsional loads are lower than in drum reeling. In festoon systems, the cable hangs in catenary loops and experiences minimal torsion. In drag chains, the cable follows a fixed path with no rotational component. The ±25°/m rating is fully adequate for these applications while allowing the polyester torsion braid to be optimised for the cable’s multi-application bending performance rather than maximum torsion resistance.

Can the NSHTOEu /3 replace a CORDAFLEX (SMK) on an STS crane? In specific applications, yes — particularly for auxiliary power circuits, festoon systems, and drag chain installations on the crane where the maximum tensile, speed, and cold-temperature requirements are within the NSHTOEu /3’s operating envelope (20 N/mm², 180 m/min, −20°C moving). For the primary long-travel or trolley-travel reeling drum where maximum tensile and speed are critical, the CORDAFLEX (SMK) or XPRT remains the preferred choice. Many crane operators use both cables on the same crane — CORDAFLEX for primary power drums and NSHTOEu /3 for auxiliary and festoon circuits — achieving the best balance of performance and cost.

Why is there no short-circuit temperature listed? The NSHTOEu /3 datasheet does not explicitly list a short-circuit conductor temperature, unlike the CORDAFLEX variants which specify 250°C. Based on the EPR 3GI3 insulation and the cable’s conformance to VDE 0250-814, the short-circuit limit is expected to be 250°C (standard for EPR-insulated cables), but engineers should verify this with the cable manufacturer for fault current calculations. Feichun’s equivalent is tested and confirmed at 250°C short-circuit temperature.