Control Cables
Control cables are stranded wires that are used to connect moving machine parts. They are flexible, bendable metal cables attached to fittings such as eyes, forks, studs and handles that are used in the electrical, marine, aerospace, industrial manufacturing and commercial industries as part of a push-pull or pull-pull assembly. They are made of stainless steel and have different strengths, lengths, thicknesses, maximum pull or push loads, lengths of travel and type of housing material. They are used in aerospace flight controls, as remote access latch release cables and as safety break cables. Control cables are always housed by a non-conductive and bendable outer casing made out of materials like plastic or rubber.
There are two main types of control cables-push-pull, which is used in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems, and pull-pull, which are used in applications where transmission forces require tension. Push-pull control cables work when compression pushes motion in one direction while tension pulls it in another direction. Pull-pull control cables, on the other hand, are used when tension applies motion in one direction while spring-actuation returns the control back to its starting point. Control cables must be strong, durable, and able to bend multiple times in many different directions without breaking. The housings, which act as a casing for the stranded wires, are flame retardant, oil resistant and not effected by electromagnetic interface.