Crane Bridge Electrification

Crane bridge electrification - QuickBridge

Overhead Factory Cranes, also called Bridge Cranes or “EOT” (Electric Overhead Traveling) cranes, are ideally suited for lifting and moving goods during production, assembly, or logistic maneuvers.  An EOT crane moves along, and spans between, two parallel runway beams to provide “down-shop” travel.  Electric power is most commonly transferred from the stationary source into the moving crane bridge with a Conductor Bar System mounted along the runway beams.  Less commonly, Cable Festoons, Cable Chains, or a Cable Reel can be used in lieu of the conductor bar.  Power from the runway conductors is most commonly transferred to the bridge of the crane using cable festoons or some other type of conductor.  Crane control is handled with push button pendants or radio remote controls.  Crane bridge power allows the hoist trolley(s) to move perpendicular to the runway to position the hoist over the goods.  The hoist (or hoists) receive power from the bridge to accomplish the lift.  Crane positioning and hoist lift actions are controlled by pendant or radio.  Once the lift is made, a combination of the bridge drive wheels driving on the two end trucks, the hoist trolley, and the hoist moves the goods to their destination.

Overhead Crane Components

The energy and data transmission systems play a crucial role in the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of overhead cranes. Due to the different designs and functions of cranes, the power and control systems are configured to meet exacting requirements and operate in a wide range of environments.  Power and control systems must handle different sizes and weights of goods and move them the needed directions at the required speeds.  Many cranes also include auxiliary devices such as lights, anti-collision systems, positioning systems and so forth. Newer cranes might also be automated to some degree. These requirements put specialized and exacting demands on energy and data transmission systems.

Cable Festoon Systems for Crane Bridges

The most common way to provide power and control signals to the crane bridge is to employ cable festoon systems and push button pendants or radio remote controls for control.  As the largest festoon supplier in the world, Conductix-Wampfler not only supplies them for standard overhead cranes, but also for larger, more complex process cranes.

Crane bridge electrification - festoon

A Cable Festoon System operates in a straightforward manner and it is easy to maintain.  They are hard-wired to operate reliably even in harsh conditions.  Festoons can be configured to accommodate a few light cables all the way to complex cable packages weighing many hundreds of pound per cable loop.  A festoon is the right solution when:

  • Horizontal space is available to store the trolleys when the machine is at its minimum travel.
  • Vertical space is available to allow the cable loops to hang beneath the structure.
  • The visual appearance of the final installation is acceptable to the end user.

QuickBridgeTM – The Alternative Crane Bridge Electrification System

When festoons are not preferred, for whatever reason, an alternative approach is the Conductix-Wampfler QuickBridgeTM  system.  QuickBridge is an alternative solution to traditional cable festoon designed to handle crane bridge electrification with a clean, contemporary look.  QuickBridge is preferred over cable chains, since chain systems have hundreds of moving parts that can wear out or become jammed.  Cable chains are hard to service as well. QuickBridge utilizes either single pole conductor bars or an enclosed conductor rail for bridge power and provides wireless radio remote controls for hoist control.  This combination yields a trim crane bridge electrification system that is safe, rugged, and reliable.

Crane bridge electrification - QuickBridge

QuickBridge will:

  • Increase bridge travel by eliminating the festoon cable storage area or cable chain loop.
  • Increase overhead clearance by eliminating vertical festoon cable loops
  • Reduce installation time by eliminating the need to wire in flat cables and load them into carriers.
  • Reduce time and material costs associated with replacing cable chain or trolleys. Conductor bar shoes are quite and easy to replace when needed.
  • Eliminate the need to monitor cable wear and replace cables.
  • Replace pendant control with radio control which allows the user to operate the crane standing away from the load.
  • Provide freedom of movement for the operator.

If you want increased reliability, reduced installation time, and maximized workspace, try the QuickBridgeTM method of crane bridge electrification.

Ordering the Quick Bridge system is easy. Refer to the Quick Bridge Catalog for details.  Refer to the Radio Remote Control Catalog for radio specifications.  For more information about the Safe-Lec 2 conductor bar, download our Safe-Lec 2 catalog or 0842 Series Conductor Rail catalogs.

Short Overhead Bridge Crane in production of prefabricated house manufacture

Technical requirement[s]: Energy supply to the crab
Customer: Haslinger GmbH Metallbau + Krantechnik

More Information

Overhead Bridge Crane

Technical requirement[s]: Main power supply for a Overhead Bridge Crane
Operator: ČEZ, a.s., Elektrárna Prunéřov

More Information

Overhead Bridge Crane

Technical requirement[s]: Power supply for a service overhead bridge crane
Operator: ČEZ - JE Dukovany (Power Plant)

More Information

Overhead Crane with controller

Application: Overhead Crane with controller
Operator: Stahl Crane Systems , Kranwerk Ettlingen

More Information

Overhead Crane (Festoon Systems)

Application: Overhead Crane (Festoon Systems)
Operator: Peguform

More Information