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Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed Cable (MIMS Cables)
Introduction to MIMS Cables
Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed Cable offers superior performance in demanding industrial settings where typical cable products would fail. The outer metal sheath houses conductors individually surrounded by highly compressed magnesium oxide (MgO) insulation. The MIMS cables may be used at reliably frozen temperatures up to 1300°C and represent the perfect solution for applications requiring mechanical protection and long-term reliability in combination with fire resistance. Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed Cable feature insulation resistance greater than 100 MΩ, hermetic metal sheaths to protect from moisture, corrosion, and high pressure, and also transmit accurate signals in various applications involving nuclear reactor temperatures, petrochemical processing, blast furnaces, and aerospace. Compact construction with a 2x diameter bend radius ensures these cables with metal sheaths are the ideal solution for precision temperature measurement, process heating, and essential power distribution in the most demanding industrial sectors.
Mineral Insulated Thermocouple Cable
Mineral insulated thermocouple cables have inner conductors of Thermocouple base material as per Standard ASTM E 585/585M and ASTM E 839.
Mineral Insulated RTD Cables
Mineral insulated cables for RTDs have inner conductors of copper, copper-nickel alloys, nickel etc. metals.
Mineral Insulated Heating Cable
Mineral Insulated Heating Cables are constructed with a solid resistor element embedded in highly compacted mineral insulation.
Mineral Insulated Copper Cable (MI Power Cable)
Mineral Insulated Copper cable is used as an electric cable for critical areas of plant and follows standard of IEC/EN 60702 Part 1. It has two voltage grade 500V & 750V.
Coaxial / Triaxial Cables
Triaxial cable is a type of electrical cable similar to coaxial cable, but with the addition of an extra layer of insulation and a second conducting sheath.
SPNDS (Self Powered Neutron Detectors)
Self-Powered Neutron Detectors are effectively as incoreflux monitors in nuclear power reactors.
About Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed Cable (MIMS Cables)
Mineral Insulated Cable Types
- MIMS Thermocouple Cable: Base metal (K, J, E, N, T) and precious metal (R, S, B) conductors are built to ASTM E585/E585M specification for Class 1 or Class 2 accuracy per IEC 584-2, available in simplex, duplex and triplex design.
- MIMS Cable for RTD Extension: High-purity copper, nickel or nickel-copper alloy, which meets the requirements of ASTM E1137/E1137M. These come in configurations ranging from 2-core to 8-core, supporting 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire RTD installation and configurations.
- MIMS Cables for Heaters: NiCr or CuNi alloy elements capable of heating up to 300 W/m and continuous sustained temperatures of 800°C. Resistance values range from 0.16 to 10 Ω/m and voltage ratings up to 800V.
- Power MIMS Cables: Mineral insulated copper cable manufactured in accordance with IEC/EN 60702 Part 1 with 99.9% electrolytic copper conductors. Available in single-core (1.5-6 mm²) and multi-core configurations for 450/750V applications.
- Specialty Cables: Coaxial, triaxial, and self-powered neutron detectors (SPNDs) used for monitoring nuclear flux with extended bandwidth and reduced interference.
Features of Mineral Insulated Cables
- Temperature range from cryogenic temperatures of approximately -240°C to an industry high of 1300°C based on sheath material (Inconel-600 to 800°C, SS446 to 1150°C, Pt10%Rh to 1300°C).
- Outstanding mechanical properties able to withstand bending, twisting, and flattening with 2x diameter minimum bend radius.
- Proven fire-proof construction and materials passing the 750°C tests for the IEC 60702 standards, with no toxins found.
- A hermetic seal is proven by both a helium leak and water immersion test per the guidelines of ASTM E839.
- Calibration stability is excellent as the probe does not suffer drift as a result of oxidation and degradation of the insulation material.
- Radiation resistant for nuclear reactor cores and high flux environments.
- Rapid thermal response from low mass, high conductivity MgO insulation.
Applications of MIMS Cables
- Metallurgical operations: Temperature measurement in blast furnaces or molten metal environments up to 1600°C
- Nuclear power generation: In-core flux monitoring, sensing in the primary circuit, and instrumentation providing a safety critical function
- Petrochemical processing: Catalytic crackers and reformers with exposure to hydrocarbons and thermal cycling
- Aerospace systems: Engine exhaust monitoring and thermal management in extreme vibration conditions
- Industrial heating: Injection molding, semiconductor processing, and laboratory furnaces, all requiring precise temperature control
- Chemical manufacturing: In corrosive chlorine, sulfur and acid atmospheres with specialized sheath materials.
- Fire-rated installations: Such as tunnels, offshore platforms, and high-rise, all requiring protection from circuit integrity, during fire events.
Advantages of MIMS Cables
- A longer service life due to the removal of insulation degradation and oxidation processes
- Long continuous lengths minimize splices and ease installation in difficult to route situations
- Better cost efficiency as a result of eliminated failures, less down time, and extended calibration times
- Precision accuracy holds ASTM E230 and IEC 584-2 tolerances through the life of the cable
- Multi-environment functionality can withstand temperature extremes, pressure, corrosion, and mechanical stress at the same time
- Full compliance with ASTM and IEC standards with extensive testing documentation provided
- Moisture proof with homogeneous sheaths that withstand great external pressure
Why Choose Tempsens for Mineral Insulated Cables?
- Thirty five years of knowledge in temperature sensors paired with high-quality cables manufactured since 1990.
- ISO 9001:2015 certified and NABL accredited laboratory performing ASTM and IEC testing standards.
- A wide range of materials in stock for standard and custom configurations for immediate delivery.
- Engineering support to match specifications to your temperatures, environment, and tolerances.
- Full traceability with calibration certificates for quality management purposes.
- Flexible production for standard catalog and custom-engineered products.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions related to Mineral Insulated Metal Sheathed Cable (MIMS Cables).
The selection of an MI heating cable depends on many parameters, which include the operating temperature, required heat output, available voltage, compatibility with the sheath material, and hazardous area classification. Tempsens’ engineers will analyse these parameters and help you choose the best specifications.
Use of an infrared thermometer to inspect the cable condition and occasional insulation resistance testing is usually adequate for MI heating cable because of the robust design and sealed construction.
Your MI cable will be installed directly on the surface using recommended mounting methods, covered with thermal insulation, and terminated using the special termination kits connecting the MI cable to the power supplies requiring temperature controls.
MC Cable is polymer-insulated and allows for electrical distribution; MI cable is a mineral-insulated heating cable, allowing installation in extreme temperature environments.
MI cables can withstand extreme temperatures, up to 1000°C; the cable is completely moisture proof, has better mechanical strength, has a small outer diameter, which allows for better heat distribution, and can be utilised in hazardous locations.
Temperature limits depend on sheath material: SS316L/Inconel 600 to 800°C, SS446 to 1150°C, Pt10%Rh to 1300°C.
Resistance is maintained above 100 MΩ with high-purity MgO (≥99.4%) owing to its compressed crystalline structure as warranted by ASTM E839 testing.
Yes, bend radius must be a minimum of 2x the diameter; exposed ends must be resealed against moisture ingress immediately.
Metal sheathing provides mechanical protection and seals from environmental influences; MgO insulation electrically separates the conductors.
Yes, all thermocouple cables are provided with certificates with EMF values tested in accordance with ANSI MC 96.1; IEC 584-2; and ASTM E230.
MIMS cables should be stored in dry environments and factory end seals should remain intact, if a cut ends occurs then resealed immediately to protect hygroscopic MgO from moisture penetration.
