Rugged cables mean longer life for systems. Improvements for increased ruggedness address crush, torque and kink resistance, higher temperature and continuous flexing, bending and twisting. However, in addition to these mechanical requirements, there are electrical ruggedness issues, as well. One of the more common is electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), the ability to function without failure or performance degradation caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI). Today's higher frequency transmission and switching speeds have created increased requirements for improved EMC ruggedness to avoid noise-related failures. For industrial control systems, some estimates attribute more than 50 percent of all system hardware failures to electrical noise. Sandra Jaouen, director of marketing for Alpha Wire Co. explains, "Selecting the correct shielding for critical applications is essential to overall system reliability, performance and safety." Three cables demonstrate either mechanical or electrical ruggedness.
EMC Shielded Cable
Designed to help protect against ambient signal noise, Alpha Wire Company's SUPRASHIELD cables address electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electrically radiated emission regulations. A drain wire contacts the triple laminated foil that covers the cable. With a 70-percent coverage tinned copper braid over the foil, the EMC cable achieves as much as 10 dB improvements in the 30 to 230 MHz range compared to copper braid and more than 20 dB compared to aluminum foil. The cables are capable of performing in critical environments where EMI, radiated EMI, RFI and ESD noise-related failures are typical due to higher transmission and switching speeds. SUPRASHIELD cables are suited for critical applications in industrial machinery, communication, sensing and control, medical and defense. Combined with the company's extreme performance cable range or XTRA•GUARD design, the rugged EMC cable design provides effective shielding for performance in harsh environmental conditions including highly flexible operation.
Flexible Cable
Now available with a 20 million cycle warranty, TURCK's flexlife-20 high flex cables are intended for rough automated environments that require millions of cycles of continuous bending, flexing and twisting. The cables utilize polyurethane (PUR) cable jackets, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and Teflon flex facilitators. By generating less heat during flexing, the cables achieve longer service life of 20 million-plus flex cycles. In addition, the jackets are water-, oil- and abrasion-resistant. Designed for welding, material handling, robotic welding and dispensing and coating applications, the high flex cables can operate up to 105C (221F) with cold flexibility to -40C (-40F). Available with up to 19 conductors, spooled cable is supplied in 30, 100 or 200m lengths or the cable is used for molded cordsets with industry standard connections.
Rugged Medical Cable
Demanding medical applications certainly require reliable and rugged cables. Durable, lightweight and flexible, W. L. Gore & Associates' Internally Ruggedized Medical Cable targets reliable video images and uninterrupted electrical performance in critical medical situations. Internal design provides torque resistance and a controlled bend radius that prevents kinking. Rollover performance measures the ruggedness of the cable. With a 3-inch caster wheel, cable rollover performance is up to 1,800 lb, with a 2-inch caster it is 1,200 lb and with a 1-inch caster it is 600 lb. Since it improves crush, torque and kink resistance for reliable performance, the cable is particularly suited for endoscopies and powered surgical procedures. The improved cables' robustness and strength help aid other applications where cable torque, floor contact or caster rollover is present. Additional uses include foot switches, surgical hand pieces or powered surgical instruments.
Tweet This
9 
