Cable Assembly
Commonly used in applications such as elevation lifts, electronic power tools, portable emergency defibrillators, construction machinery, aircraft and spacecraft etc., cable assemblies are designed to protect the complex electrical systems within these machines from adverse environmental effects and the damage of exposure to wear and tear, and also to keep the systems in good order. Binding more than one cable together also saves on space and creates a neat and compact flow of energy. This saving of valuable space can be a vital manufacturing consideration in industries such as telecommunications, electronics and medical in which the machinery or components used are compact and precise. Cable assemblies can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible depending on their intended use and location, and work in the same way as a basic power supply cord - they are responsible for transferring electrical energy from a power source to a piece of electrical equipment that requires electricity to operate.
Since cable assemblies vary according to their intended application, the construction and type of materials used depends on working voltage, current-carrying capacity and environmental conditions. If a cable assembly is intended for use outside and is installed in an exposed or rugged location, the type of protective jacket used may be more durable and rigid in order to secure the cables, rather than a less durable flexible protective jacket that may be used on a cable assembly indoors, or within another piece of equipment such as a computer. Other important aspects of cable assemblies to consider include cable length- the wires are usually cut according to desired length before assembly construction, connector type and cable type. There are many different types of cable assemblies to choose from including: coaxial cable assemblies; used for fast signal speeds over long distances; RF cable assemblies, used for effective shielding over a broad frequency spectrum that serves to prevent interference and eliminate electronic radiation, and fiber optic cable assemblies, used for their flexibility and versatility.
