On Cold Facts About Bridges (Cable Bridges), you may not know these interesting facts!

1. Bridges were first used in mines, not buildings 

The beginnings of the modern cable bridge can be traced back to the coal mines of the 19th century, when they were used to support and protect cables and pipes in mines. They were later introduced into building electrical systems.

2. bridges can be ‘invisible’ 

In some high-end or historically protected buildings, bridges are designed to be hidden, such as embedded in ceilings, walls, or even disguised as decorative lines, so as not to interfere with aesthetics and to allow for the routing of cables.

3. Bridges can withstand extreme environments 

Nuclear power plants use special stainless steel or aluminium alloy bridges that are resistant to radiation and corrosion.

Offshore oil platform bridge to prevent salt spray, typhoon resistance, and even fire and explosion-proof.

Data centre bridges may be equipped with electromagnetic shielding to prevent signal interference. 4.

4. The bridge also has ‘intelligent’ models 

Modern intelligent bridge can be integrated with sensors, real-time monitoring of cable temperature, load, vibration and other data, to prevent fire or overload failure, and even automatic alarms. 5.

5. The bridge can be used as a ‘temporary bridge’ 

In emergencies (such as earthquakes, wars), heavy-duty steel bridges can be temporarily reinforced or build a simple channel to support the passage of personnel or light equipment. 6.

6. The colour of the bridge is important. 

Grey: the most common, suitable for general industrial environments.

Yellow: warns of hazardous areas (e.g. chemical plants).

White: Commonly used in clean rooms or data centres to reduce visual disturbances.

7. How long is the longest bridge system?

Cable tray systems in large factories (e.g. automotive plants) can be tens of kilometres long, longer than some motorways!

8. Can the bridge be ‘self-cleaning’?

Some specially coated bridges (e.g. oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings) can reduce the adhesion of dirt and oil, reducing maintenance costs.

9. Bridges are also available in a ‘Lego’ design 

The modular bridge system can be assembled quickly like building blocks without welding, making it suitable for temporary projects or frequent modifications.

10. bridges were used for espionage?

During the Cold War, agents of certain countries would use bridge systems in buildings to hide eavesdropping equipment or secret wiring because it was extremely covert.

Cold Knowledge Bonus 

Bridge VS Wireway: Bridges are open (easy to dissipate heat and access) and wireways are closed (dust and rodent proof).

The most expensive bridge: Aerospace titanium bridges cost dozens of times more than ordinary steel!

The oldest ‘bridge’: the ancient Roman aqueducts (Aqueducts) can be regarded as the earliest ‘bridge’, except that it goes to the water rather than the cable.