June 2006
Ethernet signaling in an industrial environment requires patch cords that will withstand conditions far more severe than office or most commercial applications. Quabbin Wire has applied their years of commercial patch cable knowledge to develop a family of cables designed for flexible, Category 5e and 6 cord use in harsh industrial environments. Two jacket options are offered with 2-pair, 4-pair, 24 AWG, and 22 AWG variations. (A third jacket option was added. See News article August 2007)
The first option uses polyurethane as a jacket that provides excellent mechanical, weathering, oil resistance, and aging characteristics compared to PVC. These designs result in cords suitable for Cat 5e applications. Visit part number 5700 for details on a 4-pair 24 AWG polyurethane patch cable.
The second option utilizes an advanced polyolefin-based jacketing compound (Flame Retardant-TPE) in the thermoplastic elastomer family. This jacket also provides exceptional chemical and mechanical properties but has superior electricals compared to polyurethane. Cords assembled with suitable connectors exceed TIA/EIA-568-B.2 Category 6 NEXT and RL requirements. Part number 5900 is an example of a 2-pair 22 AWG design with the TPV jacket.
Both the polyurethane and FR-TPE jackets are pressure extruded, providing a smooth round cable that may be over-molded, to achieve an IP-67 assembly rating. They may be terminated with modular plugs, cylindrical M12 connectors, and with molded strain-relief boots as required.
Pressure extruding the jackets also binds the cable’s pair-core in place, providing electrical stability during harsh usage. Thus, the cords will withstand mechanical abuse such as vibration, crushing, and impact; all at levels well above what cords experience in a normal office environment. The jackets also provides excellent cut-through, tear, and abrasion characteristics; combined with resistance to low temperatures, moisture, oils, and many industrial fluids. Comparison data detailing the performance of both polyurethane and FR-TPE jacketed cables is available.