Cable materials reference

[Forrest W Christian-2]

I'm in the process of sourcing some custom cables from overseas (or
domestically, if I could only find a supplier which could provide me
them at a reasonable price).....

Often I'm getting quotes which specify jacket, isulation, injection,
etc. plastics.   With descriptions like PVC, PU, TPE, PP, etc.   All of
which I can usually google to get a name.  What I haven't found is a
good materials reference discussing things like temperature and
flexibility which covers more than a couple (few) cable types.   Then
there are all the UL numbers which apparently specify certain
characteristics, etc.

Which makes it difficult to ensure I'm getting a cable which is flexible
in cold weather, flexible, and so on.  

So, is there a cable materials reference out there somewhere which
discusses the materials available and compares the pluses and minuses of
each material?

-forrest
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[Richard Prosser]

I haven't got anythi

2009/10/28 Forrest W Christian <forrestc@...>:

> I'm in the process of sourcing some custom cables from overseas (or
> domestically, if I could only find a supplier which could provide me
> them at a reasonable price).....
>
> Often I'm getting quotes which specify jacket, isulation, injection,
> etc. plastics.   With descriptions like PVC, PU, TPE, PP, etc.   All of
> which I can usually google to get a name.  What I haven't found is a
> good materials reference discussing things like temperature and
> flexibility which covers more than a couple (few) cable types.   Then
> there are all the UL numbers which apparently specify certain
> characteristics, etc.
>
> Which makes it difficult to ensure I'm getting a cable which is flexible
> in cold weather, flexible, and so on.
>
> So, is there a cable materials reference out there somewhere which
> discusses the materials available and compares the pluses and minuses of
> each material?
>
> -forrest
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>

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[Richard Prosser]

Hi Forrest - sorry about the accidental send!  Hopefully a bit more
complete this time.

I haven't got anything specific, but have you checked major cable
manufacturers websites? I'm mainly thinking companies like Belden, but
most of the larger companies should have explanations &
recommendations on their sites.

You may need to talk to the manufacturers as they might have a product
exactly for your purpose so you need to specify a temperature range,
if UV resistance is required, high frequency requirements,
construction (twinned, coax etc), screen type, armour requirements,
gland sizes  etc. etc.
Oh yes - most important - any standards that are applicable.

Maybe if you can spell out your requirement in a bit more detail we
could come up with some suggestions. For example, is it a power,
communications or RF cable?

And quantity will have a major impact on how interested companies are
in doing a special run to your requirements.

RP



2009/10/28 Richard Prosser <rhprosser@...>:

> I haven't got anythi
>
> 2009/10/28 Forrest W Christian <forrestc@...>:
>> I'm in the process of sourcing some custom cables from overseas (or
>> domestically, if I could only find a supplier which could provide me
>> them at a reasonable price).....
>>
>> Often I'm getting quotes which specify jacket, isulation, injection,
>> etc. plastics.   With descriptions like PVC, PU, TPE, PP, etc.   All of
>> which I can usually google to get a name.  What I haven't found is a
>> good materials reference discussing things like temperature and
>> flexibility which covers more than a couple (few) cable types.   Then
>> there are all the UL numbers which apparently specify certain
>> characteristics, etc.
>>
>> Which makes it difficult to ensure I'm getting a cable which is flexible
>> in cold weather, flexible, and so on.
>>
>> So, is there a cable materials reference out there somewhere which
>> discusses the materials available and compares the pluses and minuses of
>> each material?
>>
>> -forrest
>> --
>> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
>> View/change your membership options at
>> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
>>
>

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[cdenk]

Check out Cables to Go, located near Dayton, Ohio, USA. I have talked
several times to their tech support, and a couple of small orders, would
recommend:
http://www.cablestogo.com/

Forrest W Christian wrote:

> I'm in the process of sourcing some custom cables from overseas (or
> domestically, if I could only find a supplier which could provide me
> them at a reasonable price).....
>
> Often I'm getting quotes which specify jacket, isulation, injection,
> etc. plastics.   With descriptions like PVC, PU, TPE, PP, etc.   All of
> which I can usually google to get a name.  What I haven't found is a
> good materials reference discussing things like temperature and
> flexibility which covers more than a couple (few) cable types.   Then
> there are all the UL numbers which apparently specify certain
> characteristics, etc.
>
> Which makes it difficult to ensure I'm getting a cable which is flexible
> in cold weather, flexible, and so on.  
>
> So, is there a cable materials reference out there somewhere which
> discusses the materials available and compares the pluses and minuses of
> each material?
>
> -forrest
>  

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