Flexible Cables

Flexible cable is one of the most important group of electrical cables used in a number of industries. Flexible cables are generally made of group of finer stranded conductors rather than solid. They have insulation and sheaths provided around them so that they can withstand the forces of continuous flexing. Almost all cables are flexible but their degree of flexibility varies. From a very low flexibility to very high flexibility, the wires are specified for different purposes according to it.

Flexible cables are used mostly at those places where the movement of cables is very common and frequent. The flexibility of these cables make them easier to pull through conduit. They are made to bend in tight spaces than large, stiff, standard cables. Though they don't retain their shapes but they tend to bend easily for quick connections. They are available in various characteristic impedances including resistances.

Types of Flexible cables

• Flexible power cables
• Flexible extension cables
• Twisted pair flexible cable
• Coaxial flexible cable
• Shielded flexible cable
• Flexible communication cable

Flexible Cables Materials
Flexible cables cover a wide range and they include all types of cables. The materials used to provide the insulation include:

• PVC
• EPDM
• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Silicon Rubber

The materials used as conductor in flexible cables include:

• Copper
• Copper alloy
• Aluminum
• Aluminum alloy
• Copper-clad steel
• Aluminum-clad steel

Heat Resistant Flexible Cable
Heat resistant flexible cables are used specially in the applications requiring very high connecting and ambient temperatures. They are resistant to heat and chemicals as well. They are used in a number of industries and have a lot of applications.

• In iron and steel works
• In rolling mills
• In foundries
• In glass and ceramic plants
• In power construction
• In electrical heating equipment for wiring
• In furnaces and in thermoplastic forming

High Voltage Flexible Cables
High voltage flexible cables are used to carry huge amounts of electrical power. The conductors carry electric currents at very high voltages. The conductor of these cables consist of a number of wires, and it is enveloped by a plastic material. Then this layer is covered by a layer of insulation made of plastic. This insulation layer is covered by an outer semiconductor layer. Since these cables have to supply large amount of high voltage current so it is necessary for them to have good insulating properties. The added flexibility of these high voltage flexible cables help them to sustain turns and twists in the cable in the path.

For medium or high voltage transmission, the cables have a metallic conductor coated with an inner semi conducting layer, following an insulating layer, and then an outer semi conducting layer. For the transmission of high or very high voltages, the cables are comprised of stranded conductors that are wrapped with a stratified insulation. It is made from a paper/polypropylene/paper laminate impregnated with an insulating fluid. For reducing the electromagnetic field in high voltage flexible cables, they usually contain one or more electrically semi conducting layers. These layers may consist of polymeric mixtures based on ethylene homopolymers.