Flexible Cable and Wire

Find the right industrial flexible cable for your application
By Denise Brown Flexible cables come in all shapes and sizes. If you work with this item in your business, you know how frustrating it can be to find just the right flexible wires for a particular job.

You should know that there are flexible wire and cable distributors who specialize in helping you find flexible cable wire. And if they don’t have standard flexible cable in stock for you, many of the same distributors can make custom flexible wire products to meet your specifications. Regardless of the size, flexible cable falls into three main categories:

1. Industrial flexible cable

2. Flexible cable used for electronics

3. Specialty flexible cable

Determine what your flexible cable needs are

Decide what gauge flexible cable and wire you need, as well as what lengths you need to purchase. Also, note what conductivity you need in your wiring. Factor in the minimum and maximum temperatures under which the wire will operate. Finally, figure out what kind of connectors you need for your flexible wiring.
Try:  TIM-CO/CAL-RF offers an in-depth chart that compares different types of industrial flexible wire. This can be a helpful guide to deciding what kind of wiring you need. Lapp USA offers a cable specification tool that lets you enter various specs to locate just the right flexible cable for your needs.

Find the right flexible cable distributor to meet your needs

It's important to remember your bottom line when flexible cable, but price shouldn't be your only factor. Find flexible cable and wire distributors that offer good deals on shipping. You also want to find dealers who deliver flexible wire shipments on time, as promised. They should also stand behind their product with a written warranty.
Try:  With over 800 varieties of flexible cable to choose from, Igus, Inc. can probably supply the right cable for you. SAB North America offers products for automotive, electrical and electronic applications, in addition to any other product that requires repeated bending and flexing.

Work with a distributor to design custom flexible cables for your application

One example of custom flexible cables is a cable festoon. You can design the multiple strands of industrial wiring to carry exactly what you want, exactly where you want it. A festoon can perform the task repeatedly; and with flexible cables, it doesn't wear out.
Try:  Find cable festoons at Vahle Electrification Systems. Calvert Wire & Cable also offers cable festoons, along with other flexible cables.

• Handle flexible wires properly. Uncoil the wiring from the spool according to the manufacturer's directions. Each cable must be able to move from side to side without coming in contact with the flexible wiring next to it. Even though flexible cable bends, it can break if mishandled.