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Designing the right cable for your application
Ryan Satrom Signal Integrity Engineer Omnetics Connector Corp.
The cable is a critical part of most connector assemblies. It protects the wires from the external environment, as well as provides electrical paths for signals to reach their destination. Proper cable design takes into consideration many different variables that may impact its mechanical and electrical performance. The conductor, insulation, and jacket material must be chosen careful. Additionally, various shielding methods must be considered. In this discussion, these critical decisions are described. Cables designed correctly should address all the needs of each specific application.
Conductor material Copper is the conductor for nearly all wires that are used in cable-connector assemblies today, but there are several different versions that can be considered. There is standard copper and copper alloys. There are also different platings to be considered, and the question of solid versus stranded wire. Base material – copper versus copper alloy As mentioned, copper is the best and most popular option for the base material in wires. It provides an excellent balance of conductivity, formability and cost. Copper or copper alloy is the default conductor for nearly all cables used. There are a few other options such as platinum and stainless steel that are used sparingly, particularly in the medical industry which doesn’t use copper for A look at Hitachi’s Cat 7 cable shows the different styles of shielding, including wire braid and foil.
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December 2017 www.designworldonline.com
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DESIGN WORLD
11/30/17 9:19 AM