A TECK cable (often TECK90) is a specific type of armored cable, commonly used in harsh industrial environments in Canada. It consists of one or more insulated conductors, an inner jacket, an interlocking metallic armor (typically aluminum or steel), and an overall protective outer jacket. For single-conductor TECK cables, installation is particularly challenging due to two main factors:

1. Stiffness and Bending Radius: The interlocking armor makes the cable very stiff. This means a larger bending radius is required during installation to prevent damage to the armor and the conductors inside. Exceeding the manufacturer's specified minimum bending radius can cause the armor to open up, compromising the cable's integrity.

2. Magnetic Induction: When an alternating current (AC) flows through a single-conductor cable, it creates a magnetic field. In a TECK cable, this field can induce an electric current in the metallic armor, causing it to heat up. To prevent this, single-conductor TECK cables must be installed in a specific formation (e.g., trefoil or flat) to neutralize the magnetic fields.