Choosing the right cable can be a daunting task - there are so many options to choose from, whether that be getting the right size, voltage rating, correct material, and so on.
If you’re not entirely sure where to begin – this complete guide is here to help:
Conductors
The conductor is at the heart of any cable, carrying electrical current from one point to another. There are various conductor types which can be simply split into four categories:
- Class 1: Solid | Solid conductors are suitable for permanent and semi-permanent wiring due its resistance when flexing compared with stranded wire.
- Class 2: Stranded | Stranded conductors are well-suited for wherever frequent flexing or vibration is more likely to occur.
- Class 5: Flexible | Flexible conductors – well, it’s in the name! They’re an easy-to-bend, multi-stranded conductor made for simple installation whilst ensuring durable and reliable performance in demanding applications.
- Class 6: Fine stranded | Compared to class 5, class 6 strands and wires are even larger, effectively making them even more flexible and pliable.
Cores
There are two core types in cables, depending on their application:
- Single | Single-core cables are designed for the internal cabling of electrical and electronic equipment and can be used predominately for wiring within machines and control panels.
- Multi | Multi-core cables are suitable for a variety of power and control applications including household appliances, tools, and fixed installations.
Screens
Screening protects conductors from external interferences or EMI and can prevent radiation from the cables themselves. They are most common in the following types:
- Coaxial | Coaxial cables are known for their unique build, having a more rounder shape than traditional cables, due to their interior insulation layer. They’re particularly used in cable TV, internet connections, and other forms of connectivity/data.
- Twisted pair | Twisted pair cables are characterised by two insulated conductors twisted together and can be further shielded with a braided wire mesh or foil wrap. Most commonly used in telecommunications, networking/ethernet.
- Multi-conductor | Multi-conductor cables contain multiple conductors, with each one being shielded from either foil, braid, or spiral shields. Multi-conductors are mostly used in electrical systems including control panels and industrial automation.
- Instrumentation | Instrumentation cables are made to reliably transmit signals and process control applications. They’re incredibly versatile and are often custom-built to meet a certain requirement.
Sheaths
The sheath protects the cable from damage and environmental elements such as moisture, chemicals, and abrasion. Three materials are typically used in cable sheathing:
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | PVC cables are widely used in the construction industry for their durable, cost-effective material resistance to chemicals and UV light. PVC is one of the most common thermoplastics and can be used in various temperatures.
- PE (Polyethylene) | Known for its moisture and chemical resistance, PE cables provides excellent electrical insulation and durability. PE is commonly used in applications including power distribution, telecommunications, and data transmission.
- LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) | Designed for fire safety, LSZH cables emit minimal smoke and no toxic halogen gases when exposed to fire, making them suitable for public areas, vehicles, and ships.
Hopefully, you’ve learned a little more about cables! Why not explore our full collection at Rapid?
