The electrical and data infrastructure, which constitutes the nervous system of modern structures, is sustained not only by the quality of the conductors used but by the strength of the systems that protect these conductors against environmental threats. Even if you use the world’s best cables in a facility, such as products from Prysmian or 2M Kablo, your investment remains unsecured if the trays carrying these cables collapse during a fire or if the system lacks lightning protection. This is where OBO Bettermann, a global authority in cable management and structural protection systems, comes into play. With German engineering precision felt in every single bolt, OBO places energy and data flow under an all-encompassing armor, turning the vision of long-term investment into a reality.
In this comprehensive guide, we will examine OBO Bettermann‘s solutions, fire resistance technologies, lightning protection strategies, and how we at Deltatema integrate these systems into your critical infrastructure projects with a detailed technical perspective exceeding 700 words.
Cable Support and Management Systems: The Strength of the Backbone
Ensuring that cables advance safely over thousands of meters within a structure requires complex engineering planning. OBO Bettermann increases installation speed with innovations in cable support systems while minimizing operational risks.
- Cable Trays and Ladder Systems: OBO’s sheet metal trays and heavy-duty ladder systems do more than just carry cables; they ensure a homogenous distribution of mechanical stress. Especially in industrial plants and tunnels, hot-dip galvanized systems resist corrosion for decades, increasing the total lifespan of the project.
- The Magic Series Innovation: The “Magic” connection system, which revolutionized the sector, allows trays to snap together without the need for additional bolts or nuts. This reduces labor time on-site by up to 30%, providing significant cost efficiency. Such time-saving solutions position OBO as the right choice for electrical projects in critical infrastructure projects where time is of the essence.
- Mesh Cable Trays: In areas requiring high hygiene and air circulation, such as data centers and food processing facilities, OBO mesh trays prevent cable overheating and minimize dust accumulation. This maintains the performance of high-performance data cables, like those from Prysmian, at the highest level.
Fire Safety and BSS Systems: When Seconds Matter
The greatest danger during a fire is the spread of flames between floors through cable channels and the collapse of control systems. Even if fire-resistant cables like 2M Kablo FE180 are used in a building, the entire system becomes non-functional if the structure carrying that cable loses its shape and collapses under the heat of the fire.
OBO Bettermann BSS (Fire Protection Systems) offers holistic protection to eliminate this risk:
- Maintenance of Function (E30 – E90): OBO support systems are tested to maintain structural integrity even at fire temperatures exceeding 1000°C. This ensures that smoke extraction fans, emergency lighting, and elevator systems continue to function for up to 90 minutes.
- Fire-Stop Barriers: Gaps formed at cable penetrations through walls or floors act as “highways” for flames. OBO’s fire-stop foams, pillows, and sealing materials expand during a fire to seal these gaps. These systems, which prevent the spread of toxic gases, minimize the risk of loss of life when combined with the use of halogen-free cable (HFFR). You can verify global fire safety standards through International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) data.
Lightning Protection and Surge Protection Technologies: Electrical Armor
The silent but most destructive enemy of an electrical infrastructure is lightning strikes and sudden voltage fluctuations in the grid. To protect against this energy, which can incinerate a facility’s entire automation system in seconds, OBO offers a three-stage protection strategy.
- External Lightning Protection: Catching rods and down-conductors, which prevent lightning from striking the building directly, safely transmit the energy to the ground.
- Equipotential Bonding: Bringing all metal parts of the building to the same electrical potential prevents arcing and equipment damage.
- Surge Protective Devices (SPDs): Filtering sudden peaks (transients) from the grid to prevent sensitive devices from burning out, SPDs create a layered defense line consisting of Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 protection. Especially at points where Prysmian fiber optic or copper data lines terminate, using OBO surge arresters protects your digital assets against cyber-physical threats. Technical articles from Prysmian Group also emphasize the importance of such protection layers for sectoral sustainability and safety.
Sustainability and the Economics of Long-Term Investment
Choosing OBO Bettermann products is not just a short-term purchase but a strategic decision that secures the 40-50 year life cycle of the facility.
- Savings in Maintenance Costs: An infrastructure that does not corrode, does not loosen with vibration, and fully meets fire standards prevents expensive renovation costs that could arise over the years.
- Green Building Compliance: OBO systems help your projects receive LEED or BREEAM certification with their eco-friendly production processes and recyclable materials. You can follow global goals on sustainable production through Prysmian Group sustainability reports.
Deltatema: End-to-End Engineering Support with OBO Bettermann
At Deltatema, we optimize the entire electrical infrastructure ecosystem, not just a portion of your project. We offer you over 30,000 product types from OBO Bettermann, filtered according to your project’s technical specifications and field challenges.
- System Integration: Regardless of whether your cable brand is Prysmian or 2M Kablo, we determine the most suitable support system and protection equipment for that cable.
- Fast Logistics and Stock Management: We eliminate supply delays—the biggest cause of project disruption—thanks to our wide stock network and strong partnership with OBO. You can view our product groups and technical solutions here.
Conclusion
OBO Bettermann is the invisible yet strongest shield of a modern structure. The excellence it offers in cable management systems, fire-stop barriers, and lightning protection ensures that your facility’s safety is never left to “chance.” OBO solutions, combined with Deltatema’s engineering experience, add prestige to your project while placing your long-term investment goal on the firmest foundations.
