Cable assemblies are made up of cables, connectors, and other electronic parts put together to form a whole. They are designed to fulfill the demands of the applications for which they are intended, such as high-speed signal transmission and applications that pose serious environmental risks like exposure to harsh chemicals or high temperatures.
Because electrical systems are diverse, there isn’t a single assembly type or size that works for all. In fact, a wide range of cable assembly types are available, providing manufacturers with numerous alternatives, even though some are widespread across industries.
Assembles of fiber-optic cables
Fiber-optic cable assemblies use glass fiber strands that are hardly larger than a human hair to send data over great distances using light pulses produced by tiny lasers or light-emitting diodes rather than electricity. These cables provide more bandwidth, longer transmission distances, improved EMI and tampering resistance, and are frequently used in telecommunications, cable TV, the internet, and medical equipment. Optical fiber cables come in two main varieties: single mode, which produces light using thin glass strands and a laser, and multi-modal, which employs LEDs.
Assemblies of USB cables
Since the 1990s, USB—short for Universal Serial Bus—has been a widespread computer connector, making data transfer and charging between devices more convenient. Over the past twenty years, USB cables have quickly risen to the top of the cable assembly market due to the growing use of computers and smartphones. Nowadays, more manufacturers opt for USB-C for their electrical products because of its adaptability, high-speed data transfers, practical reversible design, and compatibility with numerous protocols.
D-sub cable assemblies
D-subminiature cables are named for the D-shaped metal shield at each end and are smaller than the bigger D-type. Each connection point on a D-subminiature cable has two or more parallel rows of “male” pins or “female” sockets. Usually equipped with thumbscrew locking mechanisms, D-sub connectors guarantee a secure connection resistant to shock and vibration when inserted into appropriate interfaces.
D-subs are widely used in computer and telecommunications applications. They can transfer analog and digital signals, are available in various sizes and pin configurations, and can be utilized in multiple applications.
Assemblies of circular connector cables
Circular connector cable assemblies, which use connectors with circular patterns, provide increased longevity by providing an extremely secure connection impervious to moisture, EMI, vibration, impact damage, and environmental contaminants. These cables contain numerous pins or contacts for transporting power and data and are widely utilized in the aerospace, medical, transportation, military, and industrial domains.
Assembles of ribbon cables
Ribbon cable assemblies, one of the more unusual-looking cable assemblies, have parallel wires rather than a tight, spherical bundling of wires in a sheath. This creates a flat, wide, rectangular appearance that resembles a ribbon. Often found in older computers, these assemblies are available in split, multi-branch, non-PVC, and other varieties.
The takeaway
It’s not always easy to choose the best solutions because there are so many types of cable assemblies and connectors. It is crucial to rely on real professionals to assist you in creating the ideal cable assembly for your particular use.