Maintaining Performance in Sub-Zero Temps
As temperatures drop across North America, industrial equipment faces its toughest test of the year. While engines and hydraulics often get the most attention during winterization, there is one critical component that is frequently overlooked until it fails: your cabling.
Anyone who has tried to coil a standard garden hose in January knows that cold alters the physical properties of materials. In an industrial setting, a stiff, frozen cable isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a safety hazard and a productivity killer.
At Kalas Manufacturing, we engineer our Welding and Power Cables to perform in the harshest environments. Here is why flexibility matters when the thermometer hits freezing, and what you should look for to ensure your job site stays powered up.
The Science of the Freeze: PVC vs. EPDM
Not all insulation is created equal. The most common reason cables fail in winter is the material composition of the jacket.
Many standard commercial cables use lower-grade thermoplastics that become brittle as temperatures approach freezing (0°C / 32°F). When a worker tries to drag, bend, or coil these cables, the jacket can crack. A cracked jacket exposes the copper conductor to moisture, salt, and chemicals, leading to corrosion and immediate safety risks.
To combat this, Kalas utilizes EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) for our premium welding and industrial cables. EPDM is a synthetic rubber known for its outstanding heat, ozone, and weather resistance.
The result? Our cables maintain flexibility and structural integrity in temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F).
Combatting Operator Fatigue
Beyond the durability of the wire itself, cold-weather flexibility has a direct impact on your workforce.
Welding and industrial maintenance require precision. If a welder is fighting against a stiff, frozen lead that won’t lay flat or bend around corners, two things happen:
- Fatigue sets in faster: The physical strain of maneuvering heavy, rigid cable takes a toll on the operator’s wrist and arm.
- Weld quality suffers: Precision movements become difficult, potentially leading to rework.
Using a highly flexible, fully annealed copper cable with a high-grade EPDM jacket ensures that the tool moves with the operator, not against them.
What to Look for in Your Winter Spec
If you are procuring cable for outdoor construction, unheated warehouses, or utility repair work this winter, check the spec sheet for these three things:
- Temperature Rating: Ensure the cable is rated for at least -50°C.
- Stranding: Look for a high strand count (Class K or M). More fine strands of copper allow for tighter bends without kinking, regardless of the temperature.
- Jacket Material: Verify it is a thermoset rubber (like EPDM) rather than a standard thermoplastic.
Stay Flexible with Kalas
Winter is hard enough on your operations; your power connections shouldn’t make it harder. Whether you need reliable welding cable for the shop floor or heavy-duty power cords for the job site, Kalas Manufacturing delivers American-made solutions engineered to handle the cold.
Choose Kalas Welding and Power Cable
Check out our industry leading welding cable and power cable so you can stay safe and not loose welding quality this winter.
Need to upgrade your cold-weather gear? Contact a sales representative today.
