Four major factors impact the performance of cable assemblies, including application-specific, environmental, electrical, and mechanical. So, it is important for manufacturers to ensure their cable assemblies can withstand unfavorable conditions and operate reliably.
A cable assembly with flexible, compact, and durable designs can help with that, whether used in a system operating in space, sea, land, or subsurface. But when applications differ, the cable assembly design and type also vary.
What Are Cable Assemblies
Also called cable harnesses or wiring looms, cable assemblies are a group or bunch of cables encased in a tube of material. This material is usually made of rubber, vinyl, or pressure-extruded thermoplastics, such as polyurethane.
Many cables come with a grounding wire, a neutral wire used to complete an electrical loop, and a positive wire liable for carrying electrical current.
Applications and Industries Using Cable Assemblies
Most manufacturers of heavy machines, including agriculture, construction, aerospace, and military, use wiring looms. The medical industry, too, frequently uses wiring looms because they are good for transferring data faster.
Common Types
Looking for the right cable assembly for your specific project isn’t easy. But don’t worry, as experts have outlined the best types you can use for your project. These types include the following:
1. USB Cable Assembly
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is one of the most common types of computer ports, making charging and transferring data between different devices much easier. Since smartphones and computers are growing in popularity, USB cables have a popular cable assembly.
They come in various types: USB-C, USB-B, and USB-A. All have different speeds, including USB 2.0, USB 3.1, and USB 3.0. If you use a cable when charging your phone or laptop, there is a chance that you use a USB-C.
2. Molded Cable Assembly
A molded cable or oversold is a complete cable assembly with its connectors and wires connected into one seamless component. In order to achieve this, a cable assembly must be placed in a mold where plastic has been melted and injected into the cavity space of the mold.
When it cools down and becomes solid, it will encapsulate the junction between the wire and the connector. Here are some of the benefits that come with a molded cable assembly:
- It helps with installation when part of a cable assembly comes with an indication to help with connecting.
- It makes components anywhere from water-resistant to waterproof, depending on your project’s needs.
- Increase the strain relief through increased pull strength.
- It creates connections towards factors such as impacts, shock, and abrasion.
3. Shielded Cable Assembly
These are specifically used to protect assemblies against electromagnetic interference. It achieves this through shielding.
This shielded cable assembly can also be used in industrial settings. Apart from data applications, the individual wire in such an assembly is often placed in EMI braided sleeves and additional sleeves, which serve as a protector against abrasion.
In a nutshell, a cable assembly is a collection of wires and cables transmitting electricity or any other signal. It is mostly used in the mechanical and electrical industry to connect various components in equipment, like microwaves.