Specifying a subsea switch and cable assembly
Build one specification for the sensing device, underwater connector, cable and control-system termination.
Define both ends before ordering
Identify the exact switch interface and the receiving equipment or free-end termination. Record connector gender, contact numbering, pin allocation and the viewing direction used on the drawing. A cable with the correct number of conductors is not sufficient evidence of a compatible interface.
Describe the installed cable route
Supply installed length, route and service allowance separately. Include fixed or moving operation, support points, abrasion exposure and any bend or torsion requirements. Record whether a repairable connection or a permanently moulded termination is preferred and why.
Information to include in your enquiry
Use the following checklist to capture the configuration. Where a value or drawing is not available, identify it as an open requirement for the engineering review.
| Requirement | What to record |
|---|---|
| Sensor end | Exact mating reference and approved interface drawing |
| Cable | Length, conductor arrangement, jacket and movement conditions |
| Control end | Connector or free leads; screen and earth treatment |
| Acceptance | Continuity, insulation and environmental verification scope |
Confirm the complete configuration
Confirm the final part and assembly numbers, documentation revision and agreed acceptance requirements with the quotation. Product imagery is useful for identifying the concept; approved drawings and configuration-specific records define the supplied assembly.
Write a cable schedule that defines both ends
A cable length and connector family are not enough to define an assembly. Record the switch-side mating interface, equipment-side termination and the electrical assignment between them. Include the installed movement and how each termination is supported.
| Field | Example of the information required |
|---|---|
| Sensor end | Exact mating half, contact count, gender and locking arrangement |
| Equipment end | Connector reference or open-end pigtails with required strip lengths |
| Electrical schedule | Pin-to-pin or pin-to-wire mapping; unused cores and shield treatment |
| Cable route | Finished length, fixed or moving duty, bend envelope and clamp locations |
| Environment | External working pressure, temperature and water/media exposure |
| Acceptance | Continuity, insulation and any agreed pressure-test documentation |
Specification questions
What should I provide to start an engineering review?
Send the application and movement description, environmental conditions, control-system interface and any existing drawings or part references. Include the required cable route and the points that still need to be resolved.
Can I use any six-core cable with a six-pin subsea switch?
Contact count alone does not establish compatibility. The mating interface, pin allocation, conductor ratings, jacket, termination sealing and installed duty must all suit the supplied switch and equipment.