Background:
A multinational corporation that manufactures world-class actuators recently replaced a legacy test system with a new design. The actuator unit being tested gets wired to this system via a specific, color-coded configuration. They needed a new source for the connecting cable, and their Test Engineer reached out to Multi/Cable.
Requirements:
In each test, operators were directed to connect specific wires from the test system to the actuator unit through the same color-coding system the company had used for more than 15 years. Thus, to avoid operator confusion, it was important to match this color-coding in the new custom cable configuration.
The Multi/Cable Solution:
Multi/Cable constructed a custom cable that met the customer’s specifications and matched a sample they provided. Three-phase power and all control wires were bundled into a single cable, and the control wires passed through a multiplexer connected to the actuator unit being tested.
The 34-conductor composite cable included:
- Two individually isolated shielded pairs & one shielded triad of 22 AWG for communications
- 23 discrete conductors of 22 AWG for control
- 4 conductors of 14 AWG for power
- All conductors were stranded tinned copper with PVC insulation colored per customer request
- Overall PVC outer jacket
Because the cable was consistent with the customer’s existing test system, it was able to be integrated seamlessly.