B3 Cable Solutions - Rail Cable Manufacturing

B3 Cable Solutions leads the world in cable manufacturing, with offices in the UK, Spain, Asia and the Middle East. B3 serves a prestigious global customer base in the railway market and other market sectors with cabling products and world-class value-added services.

B3’s extensive product range features quality-approved products for a wide variety of applications. The company uses a unique blend of business skills, industry knowledge and continuous improvement expertise to create and deliver a portfolio of innovative value-added services.

Trackside communications cables

B3 provides copper-unit twin, duct and armoured trackside telecommunications cables. The product satisfies the requirements of Network Rail specification NR/PS/TEL/00015 (formerly RT/E/PS/00015 and GK/RT 0315) and specifications TS0886 and BR1822.

Metro communications cables

B3 offers two metro communications cables. One, LUL specification G7621 (type 1/non section 12), is designed for installation in trackside bracket runs and for use within railway equipment rooms located in open locations.

The other, the LUL specification G7622 (type 2/section 12) metro communications cable, is designed for trackside bracket runs, and railway equipment rooms within subsurface tunnels and stations.

Signalling cables

B3's signalling cable types include A1, A2 and A3 with LSZH insulation, B1 and B2 with EPR insulation, and high-density PCP sheath single, twin and multi-core cables. EPR-insulated signalling cables (C1 and C2) and LSZH-insulated signalling cables (D and E) are also available.

All B3's signalling cables are approved to NR/PS/SIG/00005 specifications.

Datalink interconnecting cables for SSI systems

B3 provides datalink interconnecting cables for solid state interlocking (SSI) systems with either black or blue sheath, approved to BR1932 (PA05/02833) standards.

Axle counting / safety

B3 offers cable for use with 90kHz AzLM axle counters, featuring solid-plain annealed copper conductors, polyethylene insulation, petroleum jelly filling, and a polyethylene outer-sheath approved to RT/E/PS/0003 specifications.

The new Network Rail-approved NR/L2/SIG/30060 axle counter cable will be available from June 2009.

Power and auxiliary control cables

The BS5467 steel-wire protected PVC cable is a power and auxiliary control cable for use in power networks; underground, outdoor and indoor applications; and cable ducting.

Optical-fibre duct and armoured communications cable

B3 supplies an optical fibre duct and armoured communications cable approved to NR/PS/TEL/00014.

Cable services

B3 has launched its added-value service portfolio to the rail marketplace, providing a timely opportunity for customers within the market.

Cable-cutting service

Since 1996, B3 has provided a cable-cutting service from its factory in Manchester. Demand has consistently increased and now runs at an average of 350 orders per day.

Cable is cut from stock and shipped direct to customer site within five working days. This reduces waste, lowers the risk of theft and reduces the cost of end-to-end logistics.

Supply chain integration

Since 2003, B3’s supply chain integration service has saved customers over £4m. In 2004 B3 won the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport award for this area, and the company has continued to develop its capability. B3 works with customers to identify surplus cable around the country and identify ways of getting products back into the supply chain.

About B3

As the fastest growing cable manufacturer in the world, B3 now operates in more market sectors and countries than ever before, delivering innovative value-added services alongside an extensive range of cable products.

B3’s manufacturing facilities and rail cable products are of the highest quality, but what sets B3 apart is world class service. If you’re looking for a rail cabling solution, then you should talk to B3.

B3's portfolio has been developed with the benefit and feedback of real-life customer experiences. Customers use a range of products and solutions to streamline processes, reduce overhead and logistics costs and improve the efficiency of their cable supply chain.