Types of Industrial Cable Assembly as Per the Applications

A cable assembly can be defined as a collection of wires and/or cables grouped into a single unit with connectors attached at both or any one end. In industrial as well as other applications, cable assemblies are used to connect different types of equipment and instruments with each other.

At times, the required connectors and wire configurations can be very specific depending on the nature of the application. Therefore, when selecting industrial cable assemblies, it is important to consider the area of application and the type specifications desired. Some of the relevant specifications for industrial cable assembly include gender, shielding, and approvals/certifications depending on the applications.

How Cable Assemblies Work

Any type of cable assembly can be identified by the plugs and receptacles that are attached to its ends. Actually, the connectors featured in an industrial cable assembly are determined by the application for which it has been manufactured. Along with that, the nature of application also determines the dimensions and electrical specifications of the cable assembly, as well as the approvals and certifications required. These days, various suppliers offer custom industrial cables and assemblies for automotive, audio/video (AV), radio frequency (RF), and telecommunication applications. Manufacturers also offer custom cable assemblies for personal computers (PCs) and local area network (LAN) applications, as well as industrial control and instrumentation systems. Manufacturers offer various types of custom cable assemblies such as cordage, patch cords, and cable extenders to suit a variety of applications.

Types of Industrial Cable Assemblies

The different types of industrial cable assemblies are grouped according to the desired applications:

• Multicore assembly is designed to accomplish two or more functions at the same time through a single cable assembly. For instance, you can choose to have power, data, and signal in the same cable.
•  Audio/visual (AV) cables are used for connecting audio and video equipment to a computer or other displays.  A few examples of AV cables include DVI, RGB and VGA cables.
• Computer cables can be used to connect hard drives, monitors, printers, and other devices to a computer or other systems. These include ATA/SATA, IEEE 1394, IDE, UTP with different connectors, USB, VGA, and HDMI cables.
• General communication and networking cables for data transmission and networking between computers, controllers and other devices.
• Patch cables also known as patch cords are electrical or optical cables that are used for connecting two or more devices. These cables are available in different lengths and can be used for numerous applications that include panel connection, Ethernet, etc.
• Telecommunication cables are useful for connecting telephones, intercoms and handsets.

These days, a number of manufacturers provide custom cable assemblies created as per the client’s needs. Therefore, it is always recommended to speak to a manufacturer for the exact industrial cable assembly required for your application.

Why Use High Speed Cables in Industrial Applications

High speed cable assemblies can provide a variety of benefits to applications, which require high speed contact for the transfer of electricity and data. These cables are designed to provide superior electrical performance in applications. They consist of shielding made from durable materials, which can virtually eliminate any kind of external interference.

One of the most common examples of high speed cable assemblies is fiber optics. They can be used in a variety of applications, including military, data storage, avionics, and telecommunications. They can also be used for I/O, micro pitch, and space saving purposes.

Features of High Speed Cables

When purchasing high speed cable assemblies, there are some basic points that need to be considered.

• Design: Generally, the cables are manufactured in a flat ribbon design. This design allows for an extremely tight bend radius and multiple folds. Flat Ribbon design makes the cables small in size, thus saving space in cramped applications.
• Pitch: A single high speed cable can be designed with different pitches. The reason for this is that one cable can be attached with multiple connectors for application use. High speed cable assemblies consist of cables with pitches ranging anywhere between 0.50mm to 2.54mm.
• Connectors: High speed cables can be manufactured with male as well as female connectors. Signal and power connectors can also be installed along with these cables, as well as metric power headers and sockets.
• Signal and Power: These cables are designed with strong shielding to ensure that there is minimal to no data or electrical power loss. The stronger the shielding, the higher the transmission performance. In power applications, the shield stops noise from being expelled. In signal applications, the cables prevent noise from hindering the application’s performance. These features makes high speed cables particularly useful for sensitive applications.

How Do High Speed Cables Support Applications?

Cables can ensure high-speed delivery without causing congestion of any kind. The cables are manufactured with high density levels without sacrificing efficiency. This allows them to provide excellent high-speed application performance. High speed cables also eliminate the need to use multiple cables for an individual application.

High speed cable assemblies can provide inimitable performance in industrial and commercial applications. They are designed to provide value in terms of space saving, reduced costs, and great value.