Main types of special industrial cabling

Special industrial cabling is not the same as conventional cabling. It is designed for demanding environments that can easily damage an unprotected cable. To ensure its durability, it is essential to use the right type, as well as a good supplier, such as Electrolomas.

What are the differences between industrial cabling?

The first difference between industrial cabling and conventional cabling is its mechanical resistance. It is designed to withstand continuous vibrations, impacts, repetitive movements, and twisting. A good example of the presence of these problems is found in automated machinery. If normal cables were installed in them, they would deteriorate quickly.

Furthermore, this type of cabling can withstand harmful chemical and environmental elements. To achieve this, resistant materials, such as industrial PVC or PUR, are incorporated into its manufacture, ensuring that oils, grease, constant humidity, or UV exposure do not cause significant damage.

Equally important is its protection against electromagnetic interference. In industrial environments, motors, variable frequency drives, and heavy machinery coexist, generating the aforementioned problem. To prevent this, shielding is commonly integrated into cables to ensure stable and accurate communication at all times.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that industrial cables usually comply with specific regulations and certifications. These guarantee that the manufacturing process follows strict standards and that the cables are adapted to the specific needs of each industry. In this way, minimum quality standards are established that every manufacturer must adhere to to ensure the proper functioning and reliability of the product.

What are the most popular types of special industrial cabling?

The most prominent and popular types of industrial cables are the following:

• Shielded cables. These are used for signal and data transmission in environments with high electromagnetic interference. They incorporate copper braid or aluminum foil that protects the conductive medium from the effects of electrical noise or frequency inverters.
• Oil and chemical resistant cables. These can withstand constant exposure to lubricants, solvents, greases, and aggressive products.
• Drag cables or cable chains. Their design is intended to withstand thousands or millions of bending and twisting cycles in continuous motion systems without breaking. This makes them very suitable for robotic arms, for example.
• High-temperature-resistant cables. They are used in industrial furnaces, steel mills, or high-temperature plants. They withstand temperatures of over 180°C without losing their mechanical and electrical properties.
• Halogen and halogen-free cables. They are used in locations requiring high fire safety, as they do not emit toxic or corrosive gases during combustion.
• Cables resistant to UV rays and extreme weather conditions. They can be found in outdoor installations or underwater. In these environments, a conventional cable will eventually cease to function due to the effects of solar radiation, humidity, or salinity.

Thanks to special industrial cabling, safety and quality are guaranteed. To ensure you are purchasing the best products, we recommend purchasing cables from Electrolomas. We have a wide catalog. We encourage those interested to contact us without obligation for personalized advice.