The troughed conveyors which are used within a plant for moving bulk materials from one
point to another, are generally termed as ‘‘normal’’ or ‘‘transfer’’ conveyors. These are comparatively of shorter lengths, and path of movements are in straight line in a horizontal or an inclined plane. The stresses in the belts being within limits of cotton fabric belts. However, troughed belt conveyors are often used for transportation of bulk materials over long distances, by means of a series of conveyors, over paths that are combination of inclines, declines and horizontal sections, following the natural contours of the ground. These are generally termed ‘‘long-centre’’ conveyors. There is no clear demarcation between a normal or long-centre conveyor. Long center conveyors are those where belt tension is high warranting use of high tension quality belts with less belt stretch, and low acceleration through gradual starting controls for the drive. By using a number of conveyors in series, it is possible to change the direction of materials movement at the junction of two conveyors, called ‘‘transfer terminal’’.