Honeywell Spectra® Fiber Helping Largest U.S. Power Utility Improve Worker Safety, Reduce Cost In Power-line Installations

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that its high-strength, lightweight Spectra ^® fiber is being used by the largest public power company in the U.S. to help to save costs while making it easier and safer for workers to install power lines.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which provides electricity to 9 million people in seven southeastern states, is using ropes manufactured by Yale Cordage containing Spectra fiber to string power cables. The light weight of Spectra fiber allows the ropes to be more easily handled by workers in the field, making the stringing process safer.

Spectra fiber also makes the ropes more durable, which means there is less wear and tear on equipment and the ropes do not have to be replaced as often, resulting in cost savings for the utility.

"Spectra fiber's strength and light weight have made it an ideal choice for a range of rope applications, from mooring large ships to utility applications like this one," said Mark Saholsky, global business manager for Honeywell's Advanced Fibers and Composites business. "Honeywell is committed to continuing to advance Spectra technology to meet the increasing demands of a wide-range of applications, from ropes and slings to ballistic vest and armor applications."

Ropes that contain Spectra fiber are seven to 10 times lighter than steel wire ropes used previously by utility workers at TVA, allowing the ropes and the equipment that carries them to be easier to maneuver and position. The light weight of the ropes can also further reduce cost by eliminating the need for overweight permits on utility trucks or can give utilities flexibility to add additional rope length to current assets.

Spectra fiber also extends the durability and lifespan of the rope. Since the new ropes containing Spectra fiber were introduced two years ago, less than 2 percent of the ropes' original breaking strength has been lost. Previous ropes used by TVA had lost up to 88 percent of their breaking strength over a two-year period, resulting in frequent rope breaks and high replacement costs.

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