Multiple Conductor Cables

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
M3214 SL002 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4COND 18AWG SHLD 500'	0
86406CY SL005 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 12COND 28AWG 100'	18
VF16008 BK008 Alpha Wire	8AWG 4C VFD CABLE TPE	14
470027YY GE033 Alpha Wire	2C 0.75MM2 UNSHIELDED 100 M	4
M13404 SL001 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4COND 20AWG SLATE 1000'	2
5934 SL002 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4COND 28AWG SHLD 500'	0
86708CY SL002 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 16COND 22AWG 500'	1
6362 SL005 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 4COND 24AWG SHLD 100'	26
79262 SL005 Alpha Wire	CABLE 3COND 28AWG SHLD 100'	2
79013 SL005 Alpha Wire	CABLE 5COND 18AWG SLATE 100'	1
5939 SL005 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 6COND 28AWG SHLD 100'	0
86502CY SL002 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 4COND 26AWG SHLD 500'	0
1294C SL030 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4COND 22AWG SHLD 328.1'	3
6025C SL002 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 18COND 18AWG 500'	0
6377 SL002 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 12COND 22AWG 500'	1
45114 BK005 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4 COND 24AWG BLACK 100'	2
6375 SL002 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 8COND 22AWG SHLD 500'	1
6331 SL005 Alpha Wire	CABLE 7COND 24AWG SHLD 100'	1
5430/4 SL001 Alpha Wire	CABLE 4COND 18AWG SHLD 1000'	0
5694 SL005 Alpha Wire	MULTI-PAIR 12COND 26AWG 100'	2

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.