Official Q&A: VRC 2018-2019: Turning Point
188: Wire Protection
Is is legal to add wire protection against static build up by providing a copper wrap or shielding for the wires. We believe we have lost 2 motor ports on our V5 brain possibly due to this. It has been on our long runs of wires from the brain to the motor and has happened to 2 different ports with the same motor run. I know it has not been shown to absolutely be the cause, but ther are theories that this is a possibility. We would like to try these systems and still be competition legal. We were looking at copper wrap or wire shielding systems. The systems would be solely for protecting the wires. The systems we are looking at are as follows:
https://www.electriduct.com/Flexo-Conductive-Braided-Sleeving.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/172810245663
Thank you
Yes, this would be considered a legal form of cable protection under <R7j>.
<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components:
j. Commercially available items used solely for bundling or wrapping of 2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire,or V5 Smart Cables, and pneumatic tubing are allowed. These items must solely be used for the purposes of cable protection, organization, or management. This includes but is not limited to electrical tape, cable carrier, cable track, etc. It is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is serving a function beyond protecting and managing cables.