Armored cable with integral support
A system for providing cable support may be provided. The system may comprise a conductor core, a filler that may provide integral core support, and armor. The conductor core may comprise at least one conductor. The filler may be applied around at least a portion of the conductor core. The armor may be applied around at least a portion of the filler. The applied armor may be configured to cause the filler to apply a strong enough force on an exterior of the conductor core configured to keep the conductor core from slipping down an interior of the filler due to a gravitational force. In addition, the applied armor may be configured to cause the filler to apply a strong enough force on an interior of the armor configured to keep a combination of the conductor core and the filler from slipping down the interior of the armor due to the gravitational force.
1. A method of supplying power, the method comprising:
installing an armored cable in a substantial vertical position without the use of a horizontal offset, wherein the armored cable comprises:
(a) a conductor core;
(b) an integral support, wherein the integral support contains voids or microspheres which apply a first force on the exterior of the conductor core, and a second force on the interior of the metallic armor layer, and the integral support does not contain a tensile member; and
(c) a metallic armor layer;
wherein the integral support is configured to prevent the conductor core from slipping within the metallic armor layer due to a gravitational force when the armored cable is installed in the substantial vertical position;
the integral support applying the first force, wherein the first force is greater than a gravitational force on the conductor core; and
the integral support applying the second force, wherein the second force is greater than a gravitational force on the conductor core and the integral support.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conductor core comprises at least three conductors.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the conductor core further comprises a ground wire.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armored cable further comprises a tape separator around the conductor core.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the integral support comprises polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or nylon between the conductor core and the armor layer.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the integral support further comprises microspheres dispersed throughout the integral support.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the integral support comprises voids created by a foaming agent.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armor layer is helically wound around the integral support.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the outer surface of the integral support is substantially round prior to application of the armor layer.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armored cable is free of a jacket on the exterior of the armor layer.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armor layer comprises a concave side facing the integral support, and portions of the integral support fill concavities created by the concave side.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armored cable further comprises a ground wire between the integral support and the metallic armor layer.