Drop Cable Management: How to Avoid Twists and Kinks
How to Avoid Twists and Kinks
A problem that can occur during the deployment and retrieval of the Drop Camera System is that the Drop Cable can become twisted or kinked. Twisting and kinking can cause problems with the performance of the Drop Cable and, if left uncorrected, can cause the Drop Cable to fail.
Some steps can be taken to properly maintain the drop Cable during deployment and retrieval of the Drop Camera System and ensure the longevity of the Drop Cable.
To wrap the Drop Cable correctly, tension must be applied while the cable is being wrapped onto the spool. This ensures that the cable is wrapped tightly around the spool that it is being installed onto.
INFO:
The Electronic Winch that can be purchased through SubC with the Drop Camera System has a mechanical levelwind that ensures the neatness of the wrap.
During deployment and retrieval of the Drop Camera System, the system is heavy enough that the tension on the Drop Cable should ensure a tight wrap. For the best results, ensure that there is tension applied to the Drop Cable at all times during deployment and retrieval; this will ensure that there are no opportunities for the cable to twist or kink.
Fixing a Twisted Cable
If the Drop Cable is twisted, follow these steps to remove the twist from the cable:
An Example of a twisted cable in the field.
1
Uninstall the Drop Cable from the Drop Camera System and remove the Quick Link attaching it to the Clump Weight.
2
Once the Drop Cable is not attached to anything, apply tension to it and reel it in until the twist is easily accessible from the working area.
3
Manually untwist the cable.
4
Manually pull the cable tight and reel the cable into the winch while applying constant tension.
CAUTION:
Keep hands clear of any pinch points or hazards while the winch is in motion.
Fixing a Kinked Cable
If the Drop Cable is kinked, please note the distance of the kink along the cable, take pictures, and contact SubC Support for assistance.
An example of a Drop Cable after a kink has occurred.
Recommendations
It is important to watch for cable twist with all subsea-deployed systems. For example, ROV operators spend a lot of time watching their umbilical to ensure there is no twist in it.
1
Observe the spool that the Drop Cable is on during the first minute of deployment and retrieval of the system. The first minute of deployment or retrieval is the time that the Drop Cable is most at risk of developing a twist or kink.
2
Only deploy or retrieve the Drop Camera System while the vessel is traveling at a very low speed (less than 1 knot). Just enough to keep it away from the ship's thrusters.
CAUTION: 