
Product Description
⚡ Heavy-Duty Armored Interconnect Cable for Industrial Sensor Networks
The Bently Nevada 16710-50 represents the gold standard in industrial sensor cabling—a 50-foot armored interconnect cable engineered specifically for demanding vibration monitoring and machinery protection applications. Featuring triple-conductor shielded construction with flexible armor jacket, this cable delivers uncompromising signal integrity in environments where standard cables fail.
🛡️ Why Armored Construction Matters
Mechanical Protection: The flexible armor layer shields internal conductors from crushing, abrasion, and impact damage common in industrial settings—extending cable life 3-5x compared to standard PVC jacketed cables.
EMI/RFI Immunity: Dual-layer shielding (foil + armor) provides >95% rejection of electromagnetic interference from VFDs, welders, and high-voltage equipment that can corrupt low-level sensor signals.
Chemical Resistance: Armor jacket withstands exposure to oils, coolants, solvents, and cleaning agents without degradation—critical for food processing, chemical plants, and marine applications.
🔍 Construction & Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cable Length | 50 feet (15.24 meters) - factory terminated |
| Conductor Configuration | 3-conductor + drain wire, 22 AWG (0.5 mm²) |
| Shielding System | Aluminum-mylar foil + tinned copper braid (90% coverage) |
| Armor Type | Galvanized steel flexible conduit with PVC outer jacket |
| Connector End 1 | 3-socket plug (mates with Bently Nevada transducers) |
| Connector End 2 | Tinned copper terminal lugs (for monitor module connection) |
| Bend Radius | 6 inches minimum (prevents armor kinking) |
| Temperature Rating | -40°C to +105°C (-40°F to +221°F) |
| Voltage Rating | 300V RMS (suitable for low-voltage sensor circuits) |
| Capacitance | ≤30 pF/ft (critical for proximity probe accuracy) |
🏗️ Application-Specific Deployment Scenarios
Turbine Monitoring Systems: Connect 3300 XL proximity probes on steam turbine bearing housings to 3500 rack monitors through cable trays exposed to 150°C radiant heat—armor prevents insulation breakdown.
Offshore Platform Installations: Route cables through open grating and pipe racks where foot traffic and dropped tools are constant hazards—armor eliminates accidental damage during operations.
Steel Mill Applications: Link vibration sensors on rolling mill gearboxes through areas with metal shavings, scale, and hydraulic fluid spray—armor maintains signal quality despite contamination.
Mining Conveyor Systems: Protect sensor wiring on crusher and conveyor drives in dusty, high-vibration environments where cable movement causes standard jackets to crack.
Chemical Processing: Install in areas with caustic chemical exposure (pH 2-12) where PVC jackets degrade—armor provides secondary containment barrier.
🔧 Installation Guidelines & Best Practices
Routing Considerations:
- Maintain 12-inch separation from AC power cables (>480V) to minimize capacitive coupling
- Use cable supports every 3-4 feet to prevent sagging and armor stress
- Avoid sharp 90° bends—use gradual curves with minimum 6-inch radius
- Ground armor jacket at monitor end only (single-point grounding prevents ground loops)
Termination Procedure:
- Strip armor jacket back 2 inches from cable end using armor cutting tool
- Fold back braid shield and secure with heat-shrink tubing
- Strip individual conductors 3/8 inch and crimp terminal lugs
- Connect to monitor module terminals per wiring diagram (typically: Red=Signal, Black=Common, White=Shield)
- Verify continuity and insulation resistance (>100MΩ @ 500VDC) before energizing
🔗 System Compatibility Matrix
| Compatible Transducers | 3300 XL, 3300 NSV proximity probes; 330500 velomitors; 330400 accelerometers |
| Compatible Monitors | 3500/40M, 3500/42M, 3500/45, 3300/16, 3300/55 series modules |
| Extension Cables | Can be field-spliced with 16711 series extension cables (requires junction box) |
| Proximitor Power | Supports -24VDC proximitor systems (standard Bently configuration) |
📏 Cable Length Selection Guide
The 16710 series is available in lengths from 3 to 99 feet (suffix indicates length). Why 50 feet?
- Optimal for typical turbine-to-control-room distances (40-60 feet)
- Minimizes signal attenuation while providing routing flexibility
- Balances cost vs. performance (longer cables increase capacitance)
- Standard length for most power generation and petrochemical installations
Note: For distances >75 feet, consider using proximitor-style transducers with buffered outputs to maintain signal quality.
⚠️ Common Issues & Solutions
| Intermittent Signal | Check for armor kinking at bend points; verify terminal lug tightness |
| High Noise Floor | Confirm single-point shield grounding; check for parallel routing with power cables |
| Armor Corrosion | Apply dielectric grease at terminations in marine/chemical environments |
| Capacitance Drift | Replace if cable has been subjected to temperatures >120°C (insulation damage) |
💎 Why Choose Genuine Bently Nevada Cables?
- Calibrated Performance: Factory-tested capacitance and impedance ensure proximity probe accuracy within ±1 mil
- Warranty Protection: Use of non-genuine cables voids Bently Nevada system warranties
- Proven Reliability: Field-proven in >500,000 installations worldwide since 1985
- Traceability: Serialized construction with batch tracking for quality assurance
- Technical Support: Access to Bently Nevada application engineers for integration assistance
📦 What's Included
- 1× Bently Nevada 16710-50 armored cable assembly (50 feet)
- Pre-installed 3-socket connector (transducer end)
- Pre-installed terminal lugs (monitor end)
- Cable identification label with part number and serial number
- Installation and grounding instructions
🔄 Maintenance & Lifecycle
Inspection Interval: Visually inspect armor jacket every 6 months for cuts, abrasion, or corrosion. Test insulation resistance annually (should exceed 100MΩ).
Expected Service Life: 15-20 years in typical industrial environments when properly installed and maintained.
Replacement Indicators: Replace if armor shows >25% coverage loss, insulation resistance drops below 10MΩ, or capacitance increases >10% from baseline.
For custom cable lengths, special connector configurations, or bulk pricing on multi-cable installations, contact our technical sales team.