TPC Wire & Cable Corp. ( www.tpcwire.com) announces the launch of their first antimicrobial cable product called DEFENDER® for the industrial food and beverage market. The DEFENDER antimicrobial cable jacket eliminates greater than 99% of bacteria (e.g. E. Coli, Salmonella) and fungus (e.g. Aspergillus) within 24 hours of exposure.

DEFENDER antimicrobial cable contains a silver ion based antimicrobial additive commonly used in many consumer packaged goods. Adding this to the cable jacket during the manufacturing process provides long-term broad-spectrum protection from bacteria, mold and fungus that is built-in to the cable jacket. The protection is continuous and does not transfer to skin or other surfaces.

In addition to its antimicrobial properties, DEFENDER also has a proprietary jacket compound that provides excellent resistance to harsh chemicals including oils, acids and solvents. It sustains superior resistance to cutting and abrasion while maintaining flexibility. The cable has a smaller than average diameter that easily fits through conduit or around tight spaces. The bright green jacket allows for easy visual inspection during required check-ups for cleanliness.

Food and beverage processing inherently creates the perfect conditions for bacteria, mold and fungus growth. This cable was developed to make it easier for these facilities to meet the high standards that are required of them in these dark and humid environments. If a visual inspection is conducted and fails, the downtime can cost a facility thousands of dollars.

DEFENDER® antimicrobial cable is UL recognized, CSA certified and RoHS compliant. It has passed both the VW1–UL and FT-1 CSA flame tests. The cable is 600 volt rated and can tolerate extreme temperatures (-60ºC to 150ºC).