Flexible Cable and Wire Key Terms

These terms will help you wind through the different types of flexible cable and wire

By Amy Lynn

Flexible cable and wire are used by a variety of different industries. Companies that manufacture electronics need different types of flexible cable to make their products work. Similarly, cable TV companies use flexible cables, such as fiber optic cables, to deliver their product to their customers. With so many cable and wire choices available, it is important to understand which products your customers need. Find out some basic flexible cable and wire key terms before stocking your shelves or purchasing cables and wires for your company use.

Cable specifications

The type of cable or wire you will use depends on the type of project you are working on. You also need to know what type of cable connectors work the wire you are using. Understanding and finding cable specifications will help you determine what type of cable and connector is right for your work.
Try: TIM-CO CAL-RF has a cable specification chart that can help you determine which type of cable and connector you need.

Control cables

Control cables are typically used on automated machinery. Their flexible properties allow electricity to flow continuously, allowing the machine to work properly.
Try: IDS has a picture of a flexible control cable and offers different lines and coatings for their flame-retardant cables.

Continuous flex cables

Continuous flex cables can be control cables, power supply cables or data transfer cables. These cables are made to withstand repeated or continuous flexing. There are even continuous flex cables that are made to withstand small radius bending.
Try: Igus describes the functions of continuous flex cables and offers a large line of cables with detailed information on their applications and uses.

Festoon cable

Festoon cables are power supply cables that are used in large applications, such as hoists, monorail systems and other large moving electrical systems.
Try: There is a description of festoon cables at Calvert Wire & Cable, as well as a listing of their applications and uses.

Robotic cables

Robotic cables are used in automated applications, or robotic applications, and need to be very flexible. They are commonly used for animatronics and manufacturing robots.
Try: Calmont Wire and Cable lists the different common applications for robotic cables, as well as a description of robotic cables and their properties.

Fiber optic cables

Fiber optic cables are an upgraded type of flexible cable that is used for transferring data at a high speed. It has been used in recent years to replace slower transmission wires by cable TV companies and electric companies.
Try: ARC Electronics has a very detailed description of fiber optic cables, their uses and their applications. They also include diagrams of different types of fiber optic cables.