A variety of quality custom cable assemblies are available as components for electronic applications. A range of solutions can be manufactured, depending on the needs of the finished product. Some assemblies are designed for their strength in harsh environments, such as heat, water, or multiple stresses. Others are produced for their flexibility and maneuverability, to fit in small spaces or work with a pre-fabricated device. All assemblies contain some type of conducting wire, surrounded by a protective outer jacket. Some have multiple layers or bundles of wires, protective sheaths within layers, or other components to suit a specific purpose. Most are created to transmit electricity, but others have the task of transmitting data, or both. Knowing what the cable is intended to do determines which assembly will fit the job.
1. Mast Cable Assemblies
The custom cable assemblies for masts must be able to coil and uncoil repeatedly, with no kinks or tangles as the product continuously flexes. The cable has a coil design built into it and should be easy to quickly erect. They must also be weather resistant, able to withstand various elements. Entertainment industries use this type of assembly often, as do scientific testing facilities and the national government. This is the cable most often seen on portable transmission trucks used by media stations for on-site capture of the news. It can transmit both electricity and data.
2. Heliax Cable Assemblies
Heliax is a type of specialty coax cable used across multiple industries. The original brand of Heliax has a long-standing image of quality. It refers to any cable that utilized a specific spiral-wound (also known as a helix) insulator surrounding a tube over the the inner conductor wires. The inner tube allows the manipulation of air through it to control transmission. Though the transmission qualito is superb, custom cable assemblies made in this way are somewhat rigid, which reduces the number of applications that are right for it.
3. Multi-Conductor Cable Assemblies
As the name implies, multi-conductor cables consists of a bundle of individually wrapped wires contained together in a protective outer jacket. The inner wires each have their own sheath, which are often color-coded to tell them apart for each other. Multi-conductors are used in a number of industries and are one of the more common types of custom cable assemblies. They are used when a number of components in a small area need to be electrified, such as in control circuits, robotics, sound systems, or control equipment.
4. Coax Cable Assemblies
Coax cable is one of the most widely used products to transmit data. It’s semi-rigid construction makes it somewhat durable, but also relatively flexible. It can be easily manipulated through a product or space to transmit data from one place to another. Most people recognize coax as the cable used in their house for premium television viewing packages. Traditionally, coax was used to transmit radio waves, but the technology has advanced and a new digital variety has been created to transition from the analog methods to the new digital ones.
5. Flat Ribbon Cable Assemblies
Flat ribbon custom cable assemblies are recognized by most as the bundle of wires in a wide, flat form used in their home printer attached to their computer. They are also used in desktop computers, as well as many other types of devices. Because of their extreme flexibility, the are the perfect solution for tight spaces, especially if movement is needed, and are capable of transmitting both power and data.
If you would like to learn more about custom cable assemblies, contact us today to request a quote!