Multiple Conductor Cables

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
2042005 SAB North America	CABLE 5COND 20 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	14352
2041605 SAB North America	CABLE 5COND 16 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	7450
35680604 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 6AWG BLK SHLD 1=1FT	6908
2042016 SAB North America	CABLE 16COND 20 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	0
93341809 SAB North America	CABLE 9COND 18AWG BLK SHLD 1=1FT	385
93341203 SAB North America	CABLE 3COND 12AWG BLK SHLD 1=1FT	72
3050434 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 22 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	1710
35781404 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 14AWG BLK SHLD 1=1FT	3503
DC3332004 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 20 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	3651
94441812 SAB North America	CABLE 12COND 18 AWG GRAY 1=1FT	1001
2591604 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 16AWG GRY SHLD 1=1FT	17105
2591818 SAB North America	CABLE 18COND 18AWG GRY SHD 1=1FT	5454
8410495 SAB North America	CABLE 8COND 2/16AWG ORG 1=1FT	530
6272751 SAB North America	CABLE 2COND 19AWG PUR SHLD 1=1FT	0
32301004 SAB North America	CABLE 4COND 10 AWG ORANGE 1=1FT	1980
95561612 SAB North America	CABLE 12COND 16AWG BLK SHD 1=1FT	3381
39550362 SAB North America	CABLE 3COND 6 AWG BLACK 1=1FT	1849
35691264 SAB North America	CABLE 8COND 12/18AWG BLACK 1=1FT	700
7522005 SAB North America	CABLE 5COND 20 AWG BLACK 1=1FT	2908
7890725 SAB North America	CABLE 14COND 24AWG GRY SHD 1=1FT	15896

Multiple Conductor Cables

1. Overview

Multiple Conductor Cables (MCC) are composite cable structures containing two or more individually insulated conductors enclosed within a common jacket. These cables enable simultaneous transmission of power, data, and control signals in complex systems. Their modular design optimizes space utilization while maintaining signal integrity, making them essential in industrial automation, telecommunications, and energy distribution systems.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Control Cables	Low capacitance, high flexibility, 300-1000V rating	PLC systems, factory automation
Power Cables	Large cross-section conductors, thermal-resistant insulation	Machinery power supply, HVAC systems
Data Communication Cables	Twisted pair configurations, 100 impedance	Ethernet networks, fieldbus systems
Signal Cables	Shielded designs, noise suppression	Sensor networks, instrumentation

3. Structure and Composition

Typical construction includes:

Conductors: Annealed copper or aluminum (solid/stranded), 0.14-10mm cross-section
Insulation: PVC, XLPE, or FEP materials with 300% elongation
Shielding: Aluminum-polyester foil (100% coverage) or braided copper (85% coverage)
Jacket: Flame-retardant PVC or LSZH compounds (0.8-3.0mm thickness)

Layered design prevents crosstalk between conductors while maintaining mechanical durability (20N/mm tensile strength).

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Typical Range	Significance
Conductor Count	2-104 conductors	Determines system integration density
Voltage Rating	300V-2000V	Defines operational safety margin
Temperature Range	-40 C to +125 C	Environmental adaptability
Shielding Effectiveness	60-100dB	EMI protection level
Bending Radius	7.5 OD to 15 OD	Installation flexibility

5. Application Areas

Primary industries utilizing MCC:

Industrial Automation: Robotic arms, CNC machines
Transportation: Rail vehicle control systems
Energy: Wind turbine pitch control systems
Telecommunications: 5G base station interconnects

Case Study: Automotive production lines use 24-conductor control cables to synchronize robotic welding stations with <0.1ms latency.

6. Leading Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Key Products	Specialization
Legrand	Okonite Multi-Conductor	Building automation solutions
Belden	8760 DataTuff	Industrial Ethernet cables
Prysmian Group	Fire resistant Ecos Z	Energy sector applications
Alpha Wire	3279 UltraFlex	High-flex robotics cables

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Current carrying capacity vs. conductor size (I = 3.2 Amm for Cu)
Chemical resistance requirements (oil/grease exposure)
Signal transmission requirements (CAT5e/CAT6 data rate support)
Regulatory compliance (UL/CSA/IEC standards)
Mechanical stress factors (vibration, bending cycles)

Recommend conducting thermal cycling tests (-20 C to +85 C) for critical applications.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Hybrid cables integrating fiber optics and power conductors
Nano-coated conductors for 50% weight reduction
Smart cables with embedded temperature/sensor monitoring
Halogen-free materials meeting IEC 60754-1 standards
Miniaturization trend: 0.08mm micro-conductors in medical cables

Market forecasts indicate 6.2% CAGR through 2030 driven by Industry 4.0 adoption.