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tions. Thin-wall insulation has excellent abrasion resist- ance, excellent thermal stability over a wide temperature range, and electrical properties required for power-carry- ing applications.With thin-wall-insulated wires, it becomes possible to add additional conductors?and thereby provide more power to the ROV?to the umbilical without increasing its size. Figure 3 shows an example in which eight thin- wall conductors fit into the same space as seven standard- wall conductors. Umbilical Runs Deep As the need increases for deepwater ROVs to support research and oil and gas exploration and production, umbilical cables are supporting the needs for robust per- formance. New technologies in insulation and optical packaging allow umbilical cables to supply more power to the ROV and to support the increasingly sophisticated capabilities. This translates into more capable deepwater devices with a wider range connected by a compact cable delivering more power and more data-handling capabili- ties.www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 35About the AuthorsWith a degree in chemical engineering and over 30 years in the wire and cable business, David Harris is Global Product Director for Marine/Offshore Wire & Cable for TE Connectivity?s Rochester Wire and Cable busi- ness unit. You can contact David at djharris@ te.comContributorsMark Casselton, Product Manager - Marine & Offshore Cables, TE Connectivity ? Aerospace, Defense & Marine. mark.casselton@ te.comSage Wadke , Global Director, Marketing & Business Development, TE Connectivity ?Aerospace, Defense & Marine sage.wadke@ te.comFor more information on umbilical cables and other deepwater solutions, visitwww.te.com/offshore or www.rochestercables.com MTR#4 (34-49):MTR Layouts 4/27/2012 9:39 AM Page 35