Industrial Communication Guide

2.5.1. CABLE

Coatings made of tin, gold, silver and nickel often serve to protect the metal surface from corrosion. The mechanical flexibility of a ca- ble is determined by the structure of the conductor. The following distinctions are drawn in terms of construction type: • Solid conductors consisting of a single, solid conductor. • Stranded conductors made up of between seven and several hundred thin inner wires (so-called strands). The simplest construction type for an electrical conductor is the sol- id individual conductor. This has a constant exterior diameter and due to its large cross-section has a high level of rigidity, while the multi-strand versions offer a higher degree of flexibility.

Structure of a cable A cable consists of one or more wires that are enclosed in a cable sheath (1). A wire (3) is defined as a single lead with an insulation. When a single lead is itself made up of several fine inner wires, it is referred to as a stranded conductor and the individual wires are called strands (4). Depending on requirements, an electromagnetic shielding (2) is applied to the various insulations.

1. Cable sheath

2. Shielding 3. Wires

(conductor + insulation)

ETHERLINE ® PN Cat.5

Design

Solid conductor

Stranded conductor, 7 wires

Stranded conductor, 19 wires

4. Conductor

Conductor An electrical conductor is a medium that serves to transmit electric energy (for the supply of electricity) or transmit electric impulses (for data communication purposes). Electrical conductors are generally made of copper or aluminum, since these materials exhibit a high level of electrical conductivity, low temperature dependence of con- ductivity, high thermal conductivity and high mechanical strength.

Installation

Fixed

Occasionally moved Highly flexible

Example application LAPP-abbre- viation

Tray

Patch cable

Drag chain/torsion

/1

/7

/19

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