In our last article, we introduced the concept of Cable Points (CP) as the key to accurately measuring project workload estimation. The response was overwhelming, but one question came up again and again:
How, exactly, do we calculate them?
For busy Design Engineers and Site Managers, the prospect of adopting a new calculation system for electrical workload estimation can feel daunting. It sounds like another layer of complexity, requiring hours of training and a degree in advanced mathematics.
This guide is here to demolish that myth.
Calculating Cable Points isn’t an art form based on guesswork. It’s a straightforward science based on simple logic and objective data you already possess. In this practical, step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the entire process. We’ll break down the components of electrical workload, calculate the CP for a real-world cable, and show you how this simple calculation scales to provide unprecedented insight across your entire project.
Step 1: The Core Logic — Understanding the Anatomy of Electrical Workload Estimation
The first step is to understand that the total workload for any cable installation is composed of two primary, distinct efforts:
- Pulling Effort: The physical work required to route the cable from its starting point to its end point.
- Termination Effort: The detailed work required to connect the cable’s cores at both ends.
The power of the Cable Points system lies in its ability to quantify these efforts using objective physical properties—data you already have in your shipbuilding project specifications.
What Drives Pulling Effort?
Pulling a heavy, stiff power cable through a crowded tray is vastly more difficult than pulling a thin, flexible data cable. The Cable Points calculation for pulling effort reflects this reality by considering key factors like:
- Cross-section of the cores: larger cores mean a heavier, less flexible cable.
- Number of cores and groups: more cores add to the cable’s weight and diameter.
- Cable construction: armoring, shielding, and insulation type all impact stiffness and weight.
A higher value for these factors results in a higher Cable Points value per meter, accurately representing the increased physical effort required for installation.
What Drives Termination Effort?
Termination is a different kind of work. It’s less about brute force and more about detailed, repetitive tasks. The primary driver here is the number of cores. Each core must be individually stripped, crimped, and connected to a terminal. The logic is simple: more cores equals more work.
The cross-section of the cores also plays a role in electrical workload estimation. Terminating larger, thicker cores is more physically demanding and time-consuming than working with delicate signal wires.
Therefore, the cable points calculation for termination assigns a point value based on the quantity and size of the cores that need to be connected.
The Core Formula:
Total Cable CP = (Pulling CP per Meter x Length in Meters) + Termination CP + AI CoefficientThis simple equation is the foundation of the entire system.
Step 2: The Cable Points Calculation in Action — A Practical Example
Theory is good, but let’s make this tangible. We’ll calculate the total Cable Points for a common cable from our database: “LSM-HF 3G1,5”, which has 3 cores, each with a 1.5 mm² cross-section.
Let’s say we need to install a 100-meter length of this cable.
A. Calculate the Pulling Effort CP:
Based on its physical properties (3 cores, 1.5mm² section, etc.), the system’s formula automatically calculates a base value for the pulling effort.
- Calculated Pulling Effort: 10 CP per meter
For our 100-meter length:
- Total Pulling CP: 10 CP/meter × 100 meters = 1,000 CP
B. Calculate the Termination Effort CP:
Next, the system calculates the effort required to connect the cable at both ends. This is primarily driven by the fact that it has 3 cores.
- Calculated Termination Effort (for both ends): 20 CP
C. Calculate the Total CP for the Cable:
Now, we just apply our core formula:
- Total CP = Total Pulling CP + Total Termination CP
- *Total CP = 1,000 + 20 = 1,020 CP
And that’s it. The complex, variable task of installing that specific cable is now represented by a single, objective number: 1,020 CP. This isn’t an estimate; it’s a calculated unit of work that can be fairly compared against any other task in your project.
What about special conditions?
A robust Cable Points system also allows for AI-based adjustment factors. If a specific cable route runs through a particularly congested or hazardous area, you can apply a manual multiplier (e.g., 1.25x) to the pulling effort to account for the increased complexity, making your estimate even more precise.
Step 3: From a Single Cable to Total Project Insight
Calculating the Cable Points for one cable is simple. The true power is unleashed when this logic is applied automatically to the thousands of cables in your project. A shipbuilding project management software like Cable Pilot does this instantly, giving you a total workload budget for the entire project.
But it doesn’t stop there.
This total workload can be instantly analyzed from any angle, providing a depth of insight that is impossible with traditional metrics. With a single click, you can get the total CP electrical workload estimation for:
- A specific System: Instantly see that the “Power Distribution” system represents 40% of the project’s total workload, while “Public Address” is only 5%.
- A specific Area or Deck: Identify that Deck 3, Zone A is the most labor-intensive area on the entire ship, allowing you to allocate resources proactively.
- A specific Contractor: Objectively compare the workload assigned to different subcontractors, ensuring fair distribution and accurate performance tracking.
This is the ultimate payoff. You move from managing a vague list of tasks to directing a quantifiable portfolio of work. You can pinpoint the most complex and labor-intensive parts of your project before they become bottlenecks, enabling truly proactive project management for Shipyard 4.0.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need to Be a Mathematician for Electrical Workload Estimation
Calculating Cable Points is not about complex algorithms or abstract theory. It’s about a simple, logical process that breaks down work into its fundamental components and quantifies them based on objective data.
By embracing this methodology for electrical workload estimation, you are not adding a burden to your workflow. You are adopting a powerful AI-based tool that brings clarity, accuracy, and predictability to your planning process. You are transforming workload estimation from a subjective art into a data-driven science, giving you the control and confidence you need to deliver complex projects on time and on budget.
Ready to move from estimation to calculation? Download the complete guide as a PDF and keep this framework at your fingertips.