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What is a flat ribbon cable? What is the difference from ordinary cables?

Dec 16, 2022

Flat ribbon cable is a flat cable formed by winding multi-strand copper wire stranded conductors with insulating materials, and laminating the sheath materials through a high-tech automated production line. It has the characteristics of softness, random bending and folding, relatively thin and small volume, simple connection, and convenient disassembly. 


The number and spacing of the wires can be selected arbitrarily, the wiring is more convenient, the volume of the product is greatly reduced, the production cost is reduced, and the production efficiency is improved. Suitable for data transmission cables or power transmission in electrical equipment.


Flat ribbon cables, as multi-core cables, were first used in electronic computers and electronic instruments. Because of its advantages such as easy bending and small wiring space, it is also widely used in household appliances such as telephones and tape recorders. 


In order to meet different usage requirements, some new flat ribbon cables are being developed continuously. The application of the insulation displacement connector makes the termination of the flat ribbon cable extremely convenient and reliable. 


At the same time, higher dimensional requirements are put forward for the size of the cable, such as the tolerance of the center distance between the lines, the cumulative error of the center distance, the thickness of the insulating layer, etc., which makes the manufacture of flat ribbon cables more difficult.


Flat ribbon cables are suitable for power transmission lines and control, lighting, communication channels of mobile electrical appliances such as lifting equipment, cable tracks, trolleys, transmission machinery, elevators, driving, tower cranes, telescopic machinery and equipment in special places, and can also be used in closed Connection and installation of mobile mechanical parts in indoor environment. 


Compared with round cables, flat ribbon cables have the advantages of saving installation space and cost, and their bending radius is smaller than that of round cables when the number of core wires is the same.

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Properties of flat ribbon cables

1.The conductive core of the flat ribbon cable adopts a soft structure to ensure good flexibility of the flat cable. The insulating and protective layer materials are made of butyl polymer, which improves the flexibility, corrosion resistance and cold resistance of the flat cable. Insulated wire core color separation provides convenience for flat cable laying and installation. 


Steel wire ropes or other load-bearing components can be added on both sides of the flat cable core according to customer needs, and the coaxial cable can also be made into a communication elevator flat cable.


2.Flat ribbon cable is a flat cable formed by wrapping multi-strand copper wire stranded conductors with insulating materials and pressing the sheath material through a high-tech automation equipment production line. It has softness, random bending and folding, and relatively thin thickness. , small size, simple connection, easy disassembly, etc. 


The number and spacing of the wires can be selected arbitrarily, which makes the connection more convenient, greatly reduces the volume of the product, reduces the production cost, and improves the production efficiency. It is suitable for data transmission cables or power transmission in electrical equipment.


The difference and selection between round cable and flat cable?

First, from the physical performance

1. The difference in shape: flat cables are flat, and round cables are round. Therefore, it is easier to add tensile galvanized steel wires to flat cables than round cables;


2. Differences in the internal arrangement structure of the cable: the internal conductor cores of the flat cable are arranged side by side according to uniform and orderly rules, and most of them are arranged in a straight line or in a plum blossom arrangement; while the internal conductor cores of the round cable are multi-stranded, which also determines Round cables are cheaper to produce than flat cables;


3. The difference in physical properties: mainly reflected in the degree of curvature and the number of bending times. When the number of conductor core wires is exactly the same, compared with round cables, the bending range and number of bending times of flat cables are larger, and the service life is longer.


Second, from the chemical performance

1. Different heat dissipation: In the case of the same number of conductor cores, flat cables have advantages in heat dissipation compared with round cables.


2. The direction of signal transmission is different: the circular structure has the symmetry of the circumferential distribution, whether it is half-duplex or full-duplex transmission, it is better to be symmetrical in one direction than the flat one.


3. The signal shielding effect is different: the internal structure of the round cable is easier to add a shielding layer than the flat cable, and the signal shielding effect is better.


Third, from the product installation

1. Laying: The flat cable cannot be offset horizontally, and the laying of the flat cable saves time and effort.

2. Pipe penetration: Round cables are widely used because they are easier to pass through pipes during installation.

3. Special environment: flat wires are generally used in specific environments, such as under carpets, it is better to use flat wires.


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