South Bay Cable
South Bay Cable Corp. was founded in 1957 to supply custom cable and assemblies to the Southern California area. Some forty-six years later, still owned and operated by the same family, South Bay Cable is a leader in the design and manufacture of specialty cables for the most demanding underwater applications in the world.

Originally located in Gardena, California where the company stayed for thirteen years, the company moved in 1970 to its present headquarters in Idyllwild, California. A second manufacturing facility was opened in 1986 in Temecula, California, just 50 miles away.

South Bay's cables are used in applications as diverse as umbilical and tether cables for ROVs, tethered cables for airborne aerostat systems, towed cables for military defense and geophysical exploration, signal and control cables for pipeline inspections, and many other dynamic applications. To date, the company has produced over 60,000 different cables.

From the drawing of the copper rod to the jacketing of the finished cable, South Bay has a wide range of cable manufacturing equipment to perform many unique operations. Specialty equipment includes copper stranders, insulating and jacketing extruders, taping lines, striping machines, small and large planetary cablers, armoring machines for steel, and serving lines for synthetic fibers.

Each cable is designed around the customer's specific requirements and may contain copper conductors, fiber optics, and metallic or synthetic strength members. The company's engineering ability, manufacturing equipment, and skilled personnel allow South Bay Cable to supply an almost endless amount of cable constructions.

Electrical conductors can be designed for a variety of voltages and specific electrical characteristics. Approximately half of all cables produced by South Bay contain fiber optics, placed in the cable as single fiber optics or multi fiber optic bundles. They are reinforced several different ways to ensure that they can withstand the mechanical and cyclic loads they may experience in use. Mechanical constructions incorporate galvanized steel, stainless steel, Kevlar, Vectran, and other high tensile materials in the form of braids, round wire armor, serves and central strain member cores. Buoyant and neutrally buoyant cables are designed for the full range of underwater depths and, depending on the pressure requirements, a variety of thermoplastic materials can be used.

The South Bay Quality Assurance Department is equipped with testing equipment to perform electrical, optical and mechanical inspections of our cable products. Test equipment includes dielectric voltage testers, multi meters, megohm meters, low frequency impedance analyzer, network analyzer, TDR, OTDR, corona test equipment, fault locator, impulse testers and a host of other specialized test equipment.

As the company approaches its 50th anniversary, its goals are to be innovative and continue to provide the best possible cable for their customers' intended applications.

For more, visit www.southbaycable.com.

Diveline Underwater Cables
Diveline, the specialist hose cable and diving umbilical manufacturer, now offers an expanded line of cables for a wide range of subsea and offshore applications. Everything from diver's communication, video, and power cables, to ROV and survey cables can be supplied as stand alone products or incorporated into umbilical systems.

Both off-the-shelf and customer-specific designs are available and can be terminated with electrical connectors tailored for the application.

Through the recent manufacturing expansion of its parent company, HL Technologies, Diveline now has additional in-house capability for cable production and injection molding of electrical connectors, cable take-outs, and accessories. Both Diveline and HL Technologies are located in Stafford, just outside of Houston, Texas - ideally placed to service the Gulf Coast and international markets. For more, visit www.hl-tech.net.

IEC Slip Rings
Austin, Texas-based IEC Coporation has manufactured electrical slip ring assemblies for almost 50 years. The company was established in 1955 to serve the Texas oil well logging industry. Currently they build slip rings for more than 1,000 companies worldwide.

With the emergence of fiber optics, many of today's requirements include both electrical and optical rotary interfaces. Therefore, IEC's current focus is their hybrid electro-optical slip ring. This type of unit has been around since the 1980s, but IEC is taking advantage of the small package size and performance of its fiber optic rotary joints to revolutionize this product.

With the ability to "pick and choose" electrical and optical components, IEC is able to meet the specific needs of each customer. The miniature fiber optic rotary joints (sizes starting at 6.8mm diameter x 29mm length) easily fit within the electrical slip ring, keeping the total package size as small as possible.

This flexibility gives IEC's customers an added advantage over those using the older types of fiber optic rotary joints and electro-optical slip rings. For more information, visit www.ieccorporation.com.

JW Fishers' Cable Tracker
JW Fishers CT-1 cable tracking system was specifically designed to locate deeply buried power and communication cables, both underwater and on land. The CT-1 is so effective that underwater cables can often be located and tracked from a small boat, sometimes even eliminating the need to deploy a diver.

Reports from the field on the effectiveness of the CT-1 have been very positive. Nigel Fluit of New Zealand marine services company Seaworks says, "This machine performed superbly in what would be considered arduous conditions (surf zones, limited visibility, and strong cross currents). On one job we located and followed a fiber optic cable for more than 1.5km, and on another our diver tracked a cable for over 2km. The audio was of great assistance, as it enabled the diver to follow the cable in near zero visibility."

The cable tracker system consists of two parts, the hand-held Probe and the Signal Injector box. The Probe is carried by the diver or on-shore operator and swept back and forth in search of the buried cable. The 50 and 60Hz frequencies given off by power cables can easily be detected by the Probe.

When searching for communications cables, the Signal Injector is connected to the exposed part of the cable on land, and a 25 or 1,024 frequency signal is induced into the cable. The selection switch on the Probe is set to the desired frequency and the search begins. As the probe approaches the cable, a string of LEDs indicate an increase in signal strength and an audio alarm begins to fire. The signal gets stronger and the audio louder as the probe moves closer to the cable. When the probe passes over the cable the signal strength goes to zero (called the null point), alerting the operator the cable is directly below.

Several new options are offered for the CT-1 system. One is an O-ring sealed hard case for the Probe, its battery charger, and other accessories. The case is ideal for carrying the Probe from job to job, or for shipping it to other locations when necessary. For those deep submergence projects, the Probe can be purchased with a 500-foot or 1,000-foot depth-rated housing. Custom probes are also available, designed to pickup frequencies other than the standard 25, 50, 60, and 1,024 frequencies. For more, visit www.jwfishers.com.

Duraline Connectors
Duraline has been manufacturing lighting streamers and other electrical power distribution systems for over 50 years. Each connector, plug, and receptacle in its catalog is FM rated IP68 to provide for continuous submersion in up to 6 feet (2m) of water when they are capped or mated, ideal for shallow water applications.

Duraline products exceed OSHA and NEMA requirements, and are suitable for IEC Class IP67 and NEMA Class 6 applications. Their electrical line is available from 1 thru 1,200 amps, 12 thru 5,000 volts, and can be fitted with up to 20 contacts. All Duraline products are designed to reduce downtime and eliminate GFI problems.

Because of their versatility, Duraline's underwater products have been used for countless purposes over the years. Typical applications include cruise lines, shipyards, oil refineries, sewage treatment plants, and construction sites.

Ocean Design Connectors
Ocean Design, Inc. (ODI) is a leader in subsea electrical and fiber-optic interconnect systems. The company's high-reliability connectors, cable assemblies, and junction boxes are used worldwide for offshore oil and gas, defense, oceanographic and research applications.

ODI's wet-mateable connectors include signal and high-power electrical, fiber optic, and hybrid electro-optical products, all based on patented oil-filled, pressure-balanced technology. Companion dry-mate submersible connectors compliment these wet-mate lines. These rugged components can be used at any ocean depth, and in the harshest environments. In addition, ODI provides custom solutions for various types of subsea networking challenges.

The company has grown rapidly by generating technical solutions for customers worldwide. ODI's strength lies in its intellectual capital and ability to provide highly reliable system solutions. Its forte is the integration of engineered system solutions that solve specific customer requirements.

ODI provides a range of services beyond subsea component design. These include concept study, project management, contract administration and support, and a variety of technical and training support functions. Its Advanced Products Group (APG) performs the company's research and development. Senior level engineers and designers are responsible for the design and development of new products and processes.

The company's two market-based divisions: Oil and Gas (O&G), and Defense, Oceanographic and Telecommunications (DOT), focus on sales and engineering support to their specific markets. The company has offices in Aberdeen, UK; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Connecticut; California; and Houston, Texas, in addition to the corporate headquarters in Ormond Beach, Florida.

ODI's Field Service Team provides post-delivery support worldwide. The company maintains a staff of experienced technicians and support personnel strategically located to service the diverse demands of its customers. With more than 50 man-years of experience in servicing electrical and optical field installations, ODI's technicians are certified to work in extreme environments such as offshore oil & gas exploration and production facilities.

PDM Neptec Connectors
PDM Neptec recently completed the final stages of product testing on its new fiber optic connector range. The connectors' high specification and their ability to be easily configured, ensures that they are well-suited to the broad range of subsea fiber optics applications.

When connected, the connectors are depth rated to 7000m (10,000psi) and when disconnected, the bulkhead connector can take this pressure open-face. Optical losses within the connectors are less than 0.2dB at operational wavelengths.

The connectors are all designed around compact housing sizes (for example, the six-way connector is still less than 50mm in diameter). However, despite their small size, full flexibility for each required connection is possible. Within each size, PDM Neptec can interchange one or more of the fiber optic contacts for 16 American Wire Gauge electrical contacts. Also, both single-mode and multi-mode fibers can be carried through the same fiber optic or hybrid connector. To suit the environment, the connector body can be supplied in a range of materials.

To complement the connector range, PDM Neptec offers a full cable termination service. Alternatively, the fiber optic contacts can be supplied with fiber tails. This, plus the fact that the connector can be fully assembled from the back (i.e. individual fibers can be terminated without connector parts assembled), makes on-site cable terminations a popular option.

Schleifring Fiber Optic Rotary Joints
Due to the increasing volume of data transmitted today, fiber optical communication is more popular than ever, and necessary in industrial applications. Whenever a system with extremely high data rates or which operates in an explosive atmosphere has a rotating interface, optical signals offer a great benefit. Applications range from industrial robots and tooling machines to cable reels for subsea cable deployment and ROVs.

For industrial systems still utilizing precious metal sliding contact technology, Schleifring (meaning "slip ring" ) offers passive optical rotary joints for high data rates, including all common BUS-systems. A four-channel system for single- and multi-mode fibers is available. This passive rotary joint unit, facilitating each data format, data protocol, and analog transmission, is suitable for the fastest common transmission components. The integration of this rotary joint into a transmission path is as simple as the integration of commercial glass fibers.

The extremely low insertion loss of 2.5dB on one hand and the high return loss of >20dB on the other hand form the basis of the application of this technology in most modern high speed data transmission systems. As the transmission is non-contacting, the units are wear-resistant and maintenance-free. MTBF ranges at >100 million rotations at a maximum speed of 1,000 rpm. The system is suitable for temperatures from -40 to +85 degrees C at a humidity rate (without condensation) up to 94 percent. Total length of this rotary joint without connecting cables is 25mm, with 16mm diameter.

This revolutionary system was developed by Schleifring in cooperation with the Bavarian Laser Center and is supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Commerce. The patented micro-optic principle used in this systems is a revolutionary innovation.

Hydro Group Cables & Connectors
The Hydro Group of companies focuses on product innovation, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution of electrical cables, connectors and penetrators for all subsea and topside applications. The group of companies operates three specialist business streams, Hydro Bond Engineering, Hydrocable Systems & Global Cable Supplies, covering all aspects of the industry. The group provides solutions for both commercial and military clients around the world, with offices in Aberdeen, Scotland, and Perth, Western Australia, with plans to expand into other areas of the world.

Hydro Bond Engineering, formed in 1982, not only designs and manufactures optical and electrical connectors and penetrators, but focuses on the customer's specific requirements. The flagship of this unique flexibility is the Hydro Bond Deck Mate (HDM) full ocean-rated connector series. The HDM's unique design allows hybrid configuration of fiber optic, coaxial, and electrical requirements into one connector housing.

Hydrocable Systems offers unique solutions to all electrical, optical and coaxial cable applications through both design and manufacture. A dedicated team can design and build bespoke cable solutions to suit various applications, including sheaths for harsh and demanding environments. An extensive portfolio of materials suits any cable application. Combined with the expertise of Hydro Bond Engineering, a complete one-stop subsea connectivity solution can be offered at any time, anywhere in the world.

Global Cable Supplies, formed in 2000, offers a complete onshore cable and termination solution. They specialize in supplying cable and termination solutions for harsh environments, such as offshore drilling with its associated mud problems. Global Cable Supplies can also offer a comprehensive project management service on major cable installations such as FPSOs and offshore platforms.

Individually, these companies are unique in their experience and knowledge. As a group, they offer a complete connectivity solution for both subsea and topside applications.

Nexans Subsea Cables
Nexans, a leader in the subsea cable industry, brings an extensive range of advanced copper and optical fiber cable solutions to the various underwater industries. Truly a worldwide company, it has facilities in 28 countries and commercial activities in 65 countries, employs 17,150 people, and is listed on the Paris stock exchange.

The company takes an integrated approach to subsea cable systems, manufacturing a complete range of reliable, high-performance telecommunications and energy cables and components using the latest technology. They design, manage and deliver complex turnkey projects for both telecommunications and energy networks.

Specifically for the offshore and oil and gas markets, Nexans designs and manufactures a full range of cable systems for both static and dynamic applications, including electrical, electro-optical, electro-hydraulic, and production umbilicals.

Its range of URC 1 cables is used for non-repeatered submarine telecom, array and range systems, with or without electrical elements. Nexans dynamic cables are used for ROVs, towfish, subsea plows and seismic applications. They are armored with steel or Kevlar, and a full range of neutrally buoyant electro-optic cables are also available.

Nexans' recent orders include:

• ROV umbilicals and tethers to Oceaneering, Stolt Offshore, Thales, Subsea 7, Canyon Offshore, and Perry Slingsby Systems;
• submarine fiber optics to Saudi Aramco and ExxonMobil for inter-platform telecommunications;
• seismic lead-in and sensor cable for Sercel;
• Hyundai topside, low-smoke fiber optic cable for an FPSO;
• production umbilical with fiber optics and power for the Snow White offshore platform.

For details on specific subsea cable products, visit www.nexans.no.

Scorpion Oceanics Cables & Connectors
Scorpion Oceanics Limited, a leading UK supplier of underwater cables and connectors, commenced trading in 1996 and has since grown to an organization of 12 people. The company is accredited to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 and operates in a 10,000 square-foot facility between Cambridge and London Stansted Airport.

Scorpion Oceanics is the UK distributor for two major manufacturers of underwater electrical connectors - Birns (Oxnard, Calif.) and Souriau Connection Technology (Paris). Both these companies also have other overseas manufacturing operations.

Birns manufactures a number of ranges, including Rubber Moulded, Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE), and Metal Shelled. Layouts are available as standard from 1 to 222 contacts, for signal or power duties. However, a number of special custom platforms have been produced for unique systems. Most Birns connectors can be used at full ocean depth.

Birns' sister company, Zevulun Marine Systems, recently delivered a custom Rubber Moulded underwater welding and cutting connector to Scorpion Oceanics for a UK customer. The connector consisted of a central 200-Amp pin, a second 30-Amp pin, and an additional five 10-Amp pins, and is part of a critically controlled underwater cutting system for dramatically improved rates of cutting heavy plates. Scorpion Oceanics also terminated the connectors to an umbilical specially built by Cortland Cable. The customer anticipates considerable military potential and will shortly be making field demonstrations for NATO representatives.

Souriau Connection Technology was formed in May 2003 following a management buyout from Framatome Connectors International. Souriau employs 1,200 people and manufacturers the M Series (previously known as Jupiter) and 8810 Series of underwater electrical connectors. The 8810 Series is underwater-mateable and available from single contact to 68-way and from signal duty to 400-Amp power contacts. They are suitable for use in depths to 10,000 feet (3,000m).

The M series is dry-mateable and available from coaxial/triaxial to 128 contacts. Some connectors in this range can be used for voltages up to 7,500 Volts and 600-Amps. Many M Series connectors are field-installable (requiring no overmoulding) and are suitable for use at depths of 3,280 feet (1,000m). New overmoulding versions can be used to 10,000 feet (3,000m).

Scorpion Oceanics also represents Cortland Cable (Cortland, New York), manufacturers of electro/opto/mechanical cables. Cortland's cables can incorporate signal and power conductors, coaxes, and optical fibers. Cores can be screened with tape or braided shields. Many cables include integral strength members made from high modulus fibers such as Vectran, Kevlar, PBO Zylon and Spectra. Jackets can be extruded from materials including Polyurethane, Polyethylene, and thermo-plastic rubber.

To complete its subsea cable and connector service, Scorpion Oceanics offer a full termination facility, designing and building terminations specifically to suit customer's applications.

Terminations are typically manufactured in 316 Stainless Steel, Marine Bronze, Titanium and Naval Brass, etc. Overmouldings are produced in Polyurethane and Polyethylene. Cable and connector assemblies can be tested in-house and Scorpion's test facilities include full electrical, tensile, and hydrostatic pressure testing to 25,000 psi. Visit www.scorpionoceanics.co.uk.

Cortland Names Seamap Houston Rep
Cable manufacturer Cortland Companies has designated Seamap to provide sales and product support in Houston, Texas. Cortland's growing product range of umbilicals, high strength synthetic ropes, engineered stress members, specialty cables and fiber optic products for the offshore market requires local support in Houston for their Gulf of Mexico clients.

The Cortland Group, comprised of Cortland Cable Company (New York), Cortland Fibron (Hoddesdon, UK), and Puget Sound Rope (Anacortes, Washington), has manufacturing sites in the USA and UK to supply offshore and military markets worldwide.