Flexible data cable : flexibility, durability, and performance in one package

What is data cable?

A data cable is a multi-core cable used for simple transmission of data and information. It is important that the information moves securely from the sender to the receiver. To ensure that this happens, there are special shielding requirements. igus data cables are used wherever large amounts of data must be safely transmitted in motion. They are usually shielded and carry a wide variety of application signals. Their cores are very thin and have coloured insulation to distinguish them. In the past, these cables were used much more frequently – they are gradually being replaced by bus cables in applications. Of course, they still have their uses, and our customers often deploy them. They are an inexpensive solution for transmitting simple data and are available in various mechanical and electrical designs. The cables are available in three different jacket materials. This selection provides additional savings opportunities.

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Why DIN 47100, and what is it?

DIN 47100 is a colour-coding system for identifying cores in cables. This coding system is known throughout all industries, considered to be standard, and yet not all of our cables have coloured cores. Why is that? The colour-coding is standard, but only for very thin cores. The igus cores we are referring to are 0.75mm² and smaller. For thicker cores, the black cores with white numbering are used, which are cheaper to produce. But the numbering is difficult to read and sometimes impossible to produce for cores with very thin cross-sections. Colour coding was introduced to identify the cores. For larger core quantities, additional markings are made in the form of rings on the cores, since the number of colours is also limited.

Cores wound in layers, twisted pairs, twisted pairs with pair shielding

Layered design/TP/pair shield

Our data cables are not only available in different mechanical qualities, but also in three different electrical designs. We offer our customers three different assemblies because electrotechnical parameters must often be observed when data is transmitted. These special parameters are maintained with the twisted pair construction and the integration of pair shields. The twisted pair construction helps minimize crosstalk between the cores. Stranded core pairs also offer better protection than parallel cores to counteract electrical and magnetic interference fields. The stranding causes disturbances due to magnetic fields inside the cable to largely cancel each other out. If you need a higher level of protection, we recommend cables with paired shields. They provide additional protection against electromagnetic interference between the individual pairs.

Star quad and near end crosstalk

What is a star quad structure anyway?

In a four-core cable, this structure determines the arrangement of the cores within the cable. There are usually coloured cores in the data cable, but here we use the designation 1-4 to simplify our explanation. In a conventional cable, the cores are marked clockwise. This means that, e.g., 1 is at the top left, 2 at the top right, 3 at the bottom right, and finally 4 at the bottom left. In star quad stranding, the core order in the cable is 1, 3, 2, 4. The pairs 1-2 and 3-4 are perpendicular to each other in their magnetic fields to avoid signal overlap. This avoids near end crosstalk. You can find out more about this in our blog.

Limited space? - We have the solution!

A system that has to work around the clock under high pressure requires the highest standards - also from the suppliers of the individual components of the machine. An example of this would be the "Speedmounter" system from IPTE GmbH. By using our energy chains and chainflex data cables maintenance intervals have been reduced and the company can save considerable costs. In addition, our cables attract with their special design, with gusset-filled extruded inner jacket, they retain their transmission properties after many millions of double cycles.

Cables and energy chains for circuit board assemblers

University project 'e-kart' is supported by igus products

A team of students at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences set themselves the goal of converting a kart with an internal combustion engine and road approval into an 'e-kart' that provides maximum driving pleasure. For years, the electric kart has been undergoing optimisation and conversion at the hands of the students. Until recently, a new fast-charge battery was integrated, and many of our products were also used. Among other things, shielded cables that withstand the high speeds and accelerations.

Electric go-cart

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Flexible data cable : flexibility, durability, and performance in one package

What is data cable?

Why DIN 47100, and what is it?

Layered design/TP/pair shield

Star quad and near end crosstalk