This article was updated on June 21, 2023 with additional details and links to related content. Simply stated, AWG or American wire gauge is the standard system that determines a cross section of a wire using a gauge for solid, round electrical wires. The higher the AWG number, the thinner or smaller the wire. Used […]
Basics
Why Use Twisted Pair Cable vs. Coaxial Cable
Most everyone knows what coaxial cables are, as they are used in almost every home for cable television connections. These data cables are also popular in local area networks (LAN) because they are highly resistant to signal interference. This resistance is due to the cable construction, which includes a round copper conductor and then three […]
What is EMI and how can you prevent it?
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an electromagnetic emission that causes a disturbance in another piece of electrical equipment. EMI can be attributed to a wide span of the electromagnetic spectrum including radio, DC and even microwave frequencies. Because anything that carries rapidly changing electrical currents gives off electromagnetic emissions, it is quite common for one object’s […]
Alleviating cable and hose carrier installations
By Mark Cunningham, Sales Manager, and Mark Zanolla, Engineering Manager, Gortrac Div., Dynatect Manufacturing Cable and hose carriers may be installed as a component on new or existing equipment, but it often is possible to simplify and expedite their installation with a complete turn-key assembly from the manufacturer. Such an assembly may incorporate other system […]
When to use medium-voltage cables
Three ranges of voltages are available for cables today. Low-voltage designs—often those used in industrial settings—are rated to 2,000 V or lower. Medium voltage designs range from 2,000 to 35,000 V and high-voltage cables are those rated above 35,000 V. Medium-voltage cables are commonly used in mobile substation equipment, for distribution of power in industrial […]
Clever design twists on coil cords improve reliability
By Dale S. Long, Applications Engineer, & Ron Crouch, Applications Engineer, C&M Corp. Take a close look at industrial automation or military systems, and you’ll probably see a coil cord or two. You may not give them a second thought, but you should. These retractable power and signal cords can play an outsize role in […]
Cable Trays vs. Conduit
In plant retrofit and expansion projects, it’s not just a matter of saving on capital equipment and labor costs, but also getting the job done quicker so the plant can get back to full productivity. In many installations, one way to achieve these goals is to use armored, metal-clad and other permitted cable types installed […]
Ampacity correction factors for electrical wire and cable
Contributed by David Sedivy, Senior Product Manager, TPC Wire & Cable Corp. Choosing the right cable with the right capacity isn’t as simple as looking at conductor size. When reviewing cable ampacity, consider the application and the environment. Depending upon the application and/or environment, a correction factor may need to be applied to obtain the […]
Cat 5e and Cat 6 Ethernet Cabling Differences
Contributed by Lu Li, Senior Product Development Engineer, Alpha Wire While there are three Ethernet cable choices in use—Cat 5, Cat 5e and Cat 6—only the latter two are still considered viable choices for telecom and industrial applications. Since August 2009, when ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 (Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standard) was published, category 5 has been superseded […]
Armored Cable vs. Flexible Cable: Key Differences
When transmitting data or conducting power in harsh environments, protecting your cables is crucial to safe and reliable operation. This is where armored cables come into play. They are used primarily in industrial applications, often in cable trays and raceways. They often not used in flexing applications. While they could operate there, the connector cable […]