Connectivity Guide

Components of a cable Fundamentals of cable engineering

shielding

wires

jacket

braid tape

insulation drain wire

conductor

Conductors

The metal that is used to transport electricity from one area to another is known as the conductor. Conductors can be comprised of a single round wire or several strands, depending upon the intended application. While a variety of metals including gold, silver, and nickel, can conduct electricity, the primary materials used are usually either copper or aluminum. Copper is the most common due to its superior ability to conduct electricity, lower DC resistance values, and higher tensile strength compared to aluminum. The copper may also be coated with various other metals such as tin, silver, and nickel to help reduce corrosion and discoloration and to provide a more ideal conductor surface for easier soldering.

Stranding

The way conductors are bunched, called stranding, is important in cable construction. Stranding affects a wire’s flexibility, strength, and diameter. A single, solid conductor is common for smaller wires. It is easy to terminate, resilient, and cheaper than a stranded configuration. Larger wires and those needing to be flexible will be stranded. Conductors can be stranded in many different ways and with varying stranding counts. A higher strand count results in greater wire flexibility.

Class 1 compact

Class 2 multiple wires

Class 5 fine wires

Class 6 super fine wires

The following examples all have a 6 AWG (16 mm²) cross-section:

solid wire 1 x 4.5 mm

multiple wires 7 x 1.7 mm

fine wires 122 x 0.41 mm

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