Introduction: When Heavy Duty Demands More Than FISMIAN GroupLIGHT Can Deliver

FIMSUS VS PLUS is a fundamentally different cable from the FISMIAN GroupLIGHT vertical reeling family. Where FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cables are optimised for high-speed vertical payout with lightweight cross-linked elastomer construction, FIMSUS VS PLUS is engineered for maximum mechanical brutality—applications where the cable experiences simultaneous tensile and torsional loading under heavy-duty conditions that would destroy a FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cable within months. The Klaus Faber datasheet describes it explicitly: heavy-duty reeling rubber cable for power supply and signal transmission in applications with high mechanical stress, especially with simultaneous tensile and torsional load, suitable for cable drums for harbour cranes, container cranes, spreaders, conveyor systems, and handling machines [Klaus Faber Shop — FIMSUS VS PLUS].

Every specification in the FIMSUS VS PLUS reflects this heavy-duty philosophy. The 8,100 N dynamic tensile strength is the highest of any low-voltage vertical reel cable in the Klaus Faber catalogue—23% higher than the FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR’s 6,600 N. The 4 kV test voltage exceeds the VR’s 3.5 kV and the VRDB’s 2.5 kV. The 5GM5 polychloroprene neoprene outer sheath provides certified flame retardancy (IEC 60332-1-2), oil resistance (EN 60811-404), and ozone resistance (IEC 60811-403)—a triple environmental certification that no FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cable carries. The tinned copper Class 5 conductors provide corrosion immunity in marine salt-spray environments. And the ±50°/m quantified torsion rating is the only numerically specified torsion parameter in the entire vertical reel cable portfolio.

Technical Anatomy: Full Specification Breakdown

Configuration Data: 36G2.5 (Part No. 052402)

8,100 N Dynamic Tensile: The Strongest LV Vertical Reel Cable

The FIMSUS VS PLUS achieves a dynamic tensile strength of 8,100 N—the highest of any low-voltage vertical reeling cable in the Klaus Faber portfolio. For comparison: FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR 37×2.5 = 4,700 N; FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR 56×2.5 = 6,600 N; FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VRDB 56×2.5 = 6,600 N. The FIMSUS VS PLUS exceeds all of these by a significant margin, providing exceptional mechanical safety for applications with the highest tensile demands.

This 8,100 N rating specifically addresses the “simultaneous tensile and torsional load” condition described in the cable’s application statement. In practical crane operation, simultaneous loading occurs when a cable hangs vertically under gravity (tensile load) while the reel drum’s fleet-angle change imparts a twist to the cable at the departure point (torsional load). Standard cables designed for pure tensile or pure torsion fail when both forces act simultaneously—the combined stress exceeds the single-axis design limit. The FIMSUS VS PLUS’s Kevlar core and synthetic braid torsion protection are co-engineered to share the combined load, maintaining structural integrity under dual-axis stress conditions that would overstress FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-class cables.

At 1,890 kg/km net weight, the 8,100 N dynamic tensile supports approximately 440 metres of cable self-weight under static conditions—far exceeding any practical vertical suspension requirement. This extraordinary margin ensures the cable survives the dynamic shock loads during emergency stops, high-speed braking events, and snagging incidents that produce instantaneous forces several times higher than the static hanging load [FeiChun — Dynamic Shock Load Engineering].

4 kV Test Voltage: Maximum Dielectric Safety Margin

The FIMSUS VS PLUS specifies a 4 kV test voltage—the highest of any low-voltage vertical reeling cable in the Klaus Faber portfolio, exceeding the FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR (3.5 kV) by 14% and the FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VRDB (2.5 kV) by 60%. The rubber EI3 insulation provides this dielectric performance, achieving 4× the rated 1 kV phase-to-ground voltage with margin.

The 4 kV test voltage is validated by the VDE 0250-814 testing protocol, which mandates high-voltage AC withstand testing as a type test requirement for NSHTÖU-class cables [FeiChun — VDE 0250-814 Testing Requirements]. This margin is critical in heavy-duty harbour crane applications where VFD switching transients, lightning-induced surges in long cable runs, and insulation stress during the 250°C short-circuit thermal excursion all test the cable’s dielectric integrity far beyond its nominal 1 kV rating.

±50°/m Torsion: The Only Quantified Torsion Specification

The FIMSUS VS PLUS is unique in providing a numerically quantified torsion rating: ±50°/m. This means the cable can withstand a rotational deformation of 50 degrees per metre of cable length in either direction without permanent deformation or performance degradation. No FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cable provides a quantified torsion specification—they describe their torsion protection only qualitatively (“aramid braid”).

The ±50°/m specification is essential for engineering verification. Crane designers can calculate the maximum torsional deformation the cable will experience based on the reel drum’s fleet angle, the cable’s payout geometry, and the winding pattern. If the calculated torsion exceeds ±50°/m, the cable cannot be used—a clear, auditable engineering decision. Without a quantified torsion spec, designers must rely on qualitative assessments and field experience, which introduces engineering risk. The FIMSUS VS PLUS’s synthetic braid torsion protection system—distinct from the aramid braid used in FISMIAN GroupLIGHT—is specifically engineered to deliver this quantified torsional endurance under simultaneous tensile loading.

5GM5 Polychloroprene Neoprene: The Gold Standard Sheath

The FIMSUS VS PLUS uses rubber (CR) 5GM5 polychloroprene neoprene for its outer sheath—the toughest sheath compound in the reeling cable specification library. The 5GM5 designation indicates the highest grade of combined oil resistance, flame retardancy, and ozone resistance in the German compound classification system. As documented by Feichun’s technical analysis, the 5GM5 compound achieves Shore A hardness of 85±5 (the ideal balance between impact resilience and abrasion resistance), minimum tensile strength of 10 MPa, and elongation at break of 300% per ISO 37 [FeiChun — 5GM5 Compound Chemistry].

This is a fundamentally different material from the cross-linked elastomer used in FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cables. Polychloroprene neoprene is inherently flame-retardant without additive assistance, achieving V-0 classification [FeiChun — Neoprene Flame Retardancy]. The 5GM5 formulation resists ozone degradation for 1,000+ hours of accelerated aging (equivalent to 5–7 years of outdoor tropical exposure), tolerates mineral oil immersion without swelling, and maintains mechanical properties after 2,000+ hours of UV aging [FeiChun — 5GM5 Environmental Performance]. The compound’s DIN abrasion volume loss is less than 120 mm³ per ISO 4649—approximately 3× better than standard PVC [FeiChun — Abrasion Resistance Data].

Tinned Copper Class 5: Corrosion Immunity for Marine Environments

The FIMSUS VS PLUS specifies tinned copper conductors at Class 5 flexible—a combination that provides both mechanical flexibility and corrosion protection. The tin coating (typically 1–3 μm electroplated or hot-dipped) creates a barrier between the copper conductor and the ambient atmosphere, preventing copper oxidation and the green patina (verdigris) that degrades conductor-to-insulation adhesion in marine salt-spray environments.

The IEC 60228 Class 5 specification for 2.5 mm² tinned copper permits a maximum conductor resistance of 8.21 Ω/km at 20°C—slightly higher than the 7.98 Ω/km maximum for plain (bare) copper Class 5 or Class 6, because the tin layer contributes marginally higher resistivity [Nexans — IEC 60228 Table: Tinned Copper Values]. This 3% resistance increase is negligible in practical terms but provides significant long-term reliability benefits in the salt-spray environments where harbour cranes operate.

The choice of Class 5 (rather than Class 6 used in FISMIAN GroupLIGHT) reflects the FIMSUS VS PLUS’s heavy-duty engineering philosophy. Class 5 uses slightly coarser wire strands than Class 6—each individual strand is marginally thicker and more robust, providing better resistance to the mechanical abrasion and compression forces that occur during high-tension reeling. For the 240 m/min operating speed and 8×OD (VDE 0298-3) bending radius of the FIMSUS VS PLUS, Class 5 provides the optimal balance of flexibility and mechanical durability.

Triple Environmental Certification: Flame, Oil, and Ozone

The FIMSUS VS PLUS carries three independently certified environmental resistance ratings—a comprehensive certification that no FISMIAN GroupLIGHT cable provides:

This triple certification is possible because the 5GM5 polychloroprene neoprene sheath inherently provides all three properties. Polychloroprene rubber is inherently flame-retardant, naturally resistant to mineral oils, and the 5GM5 formulation includes anti-ozonant wax systems that migrate to the surface and form a protective barrier against atmospheric ozone [FeiChun — 5GM5 Anti-Ozonant System]. No separate additive packages are needed—the environmental resistance is built into the polymer chemistry.

−50°C Fixed / 250°C Short-Circuit: Extreme Temperature Envelope

The FIMSUS VS PLUS achieves the widest total temperature envelope of any cable in this guide: −50°C (fixed) to +250°C (short-circuit)—a span of 300°C. The −50°C fixed installation rating means the cable can be permanently installed and remain functional in arctic conditions without sheath cracking or insulation failure—the coldest fixed rating of any cable discussed. The +80°C continuous operating temperature and 90°C conductor temperature handle the hottest port environments, while the 250°C short-circuit temperature ensures the cable survives fault conditions without insulation breakdown.

The 250°C short-circuit rating is a critical safety specification. During a short-circuit event, the cable’s copper conductors heat rapidly as fault current flows. The rubber EI3 insulation must maintain dielectric integrity at 250°C for the duration of the fault clearing time (typically 0.1–0.5 seconds, depending on the protective relay settings). If the insulation fails before the circuit breaker trips, the short circuit escalates to a phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground arc—potentially causing cable fire, equipment damage, and worker injury. The 250°C rating provides the thermal margin needed for reliable fault clearing in heavy-duty crane electrical systems with long cable runs and high fault currents.

FIMSUS VS PLUS vs. FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR vs. FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VRDB: When to Choose Each

Choose FIMSUS VS PLUS when: the crane subjects the cable to simultaneous tensile and torsional loading; certified flame/oil/ozone resistance is required; the application needs a protective conductor (earthing); or the crane’s fault current requires 250°C short-circuit survival. Typical applications: heavy-duty harbour cranes, conveyor systems, handling machines with multi-directional cable paths, and spreader drums with severe fleet-angle torsion. Choose FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VR when: maximum speed (300 m/min), arctic dynamic operation (−40°C moving), or screened bundle EMC configuration is needed. Choose FISMIAN GroupLIGHT-VRDB when: the tightest possible bending radius (7×OD) is the priority.

Cost-Effective Alternative from Feichun

Feichun Lead Times: 6–10 weeks. European (Klaus Faber): 16–24 weeks.

Feichun Pricing: Klaus Faber FIMSUS VS PLUS 36G2.5 quoted at €48–65/m; Feichun equivalent: €25–36/m. Per crane (200 m typical): savings of €4,600–€5,800.

Technical FAQ

Why does the datasheet list only Fzd (dynamic) and not Fzp (permanent) tensile?

The FIMSUS VS PLUS datasheet specifies only Fzd = 8,100 N, unlike the FISMIAN GroupLIGHT family which lists both Fzp and Fzd (both equal). For heavy-duty reeling cables designed for simultaneous tensile and torsional loading, the dynamic rating is the critical design parameter—it represents the cable’s ability to survive the combined instantaneous forces during aggressive reel acceleration, emergency braking, and snagging events. The permanent (static) tensile is typically lower. Contact Feichun’s engineering team for the specific Fzp value if required for your static suspension calculation.

What is CAS 85535-85-9 in the REACH declaration?

CAS 85535-85-9 identifies short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)—a plasticizer used in rubber compound formulations for flexibility and flame retardancy. SCCPs are listed on the EU REACH candidate list (Regulation EC 1907/2006) as substances of very high concern (SVHC). The FIMSUS VS PLUS contains >0.1% of this substance. This REACH declaration triggers supply-chain communication obligations per Article 33 of the REACH Regulation. For SCCP-free alternatives, contact Feichun’s engineering team—modern rubber formulations using alternative plasticizers can achieve equivalent performance without SCCPs.

Can FIMSUS VS PLUS replace the FIMSUS VS (non-PLUS)?

The FIMSUS VS (non-PLUS) is described by Klaus Faber as a reeling cable for very high mechanical stresses, heavy-duty conditions, abrasion and crushing, typically used in cable winding reels for harbour cranes, container cranes, conveyors, and handling machines for vertical reeling applications [Klaus Faber Shop — FIMSUS VS]. The VS PLUS adds enhanced tensile and torsional ratings. In most cases, the VS PLUS can replace the VS with improved performance, but verify the specific configuration (core count, cross-section) and bending radius requirements before substituting.

Why 240 m/min instead of 300 m/min like FISMIAN GroupLIGHT?

The 5GM5 neoprene sheath is thicker and stiffer than cross-linked elastomer, creating higher bending stiffness at the reel drum departure point. At 300 m/min, this increased stiffness would generate excessive heat at the bending point during continuous high-speed cycling. The 240 m/min rating ensures the sheath temperature remains within the +80°C moving limit during sustained reeling operation. For most harbour crane and conveyor applications, 240 m/min is sufficient—the FIMSUS VS PLUS is specified where mechanical ruggedness outweighs raw speed.