reccomendations for flexible 24 AWG cable?

Pooh Bear wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com:

Looking at Digi-Key they have some 22AWG test lead wire, such as W2722B-

These cables will be put together by hand in low quantities. Though with normal wire I think I might be able to fudge the rated size for the cable a bit more - in this case I'm noticing that the outer diameter of the cable is 2.54mm, while the Molex crimp housing is 2mm pitch. Probabaly more than can be fudged. Mouser seems to also have 22AWG test leads but nothing finer.

Though it does make me remember soething from a while back - I put together a breakout cable for an industrial power supply with a fairly fine pitched connector using test lead wire. To get the insulation inside the crimp I ended up shaving off some of the outer insulation. Maybe that would be a solution for this?

Thanks,

-Mike

Michael,

How about Cat5 Ethernet patch cable? It's 24AWG, fairly robust, 8 conductor, easily had for

I was just scanning multi conductor cable in the Newark Inone catalog, Friday, and came across a version by Belden called "FleXnake" that they sell by the foot. You may want to strip the outer sheath off if the cable is too large. But the insulation is very flexible and the wire is highly stranded. They make a 5 conductor, unpaired, unshielded version. Unfortunately, even though this is a registered trademark, the keyword "FleXnake" does not bring up any results on Newark's search engine. But several pages in the catalog are devoted to the multi conductor, multi pair, shielded and non shielded variations both on rolls and by the foot. I think the price was about a dollar per conductor foot.

It looks like the industrial high flex control cable made by Belden is trademarked, "Infinity". The FleXnake kind may be just audio cable.

It is supposedly rated for 9 million of some kind of flex cycles. Here is a data sheet for the 9 conductor version, 20 ga, .02" conductor insulation thickness.

If they stock it, you're best off with 'test lead' style wire. Multiple very small strands that are less troubled by regular flexing and a soft compliant insulation ( maybe silicone based ). To be honest I don't know if this is regularly available in such a small gauge as 24 but worth trying.

Graham

Yup. That's the stuff.

OK, the o/d seems to be a problem. The cable is 'too big' !

Tricky.

I've seen tiny flex that used silicone insulation that had a smaller o/d. May be worth searching elsewhere.

Graham

John Popelish wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.com:

The infinity series looks like a good fit. Belden part number 7200A is a 6 conductor (3x2 twisted pairs) 24AWG shielded cable - looks just about perfect. Now I have to find a distributor - which is proving to be rather challenging! Waiting on a couple companies to call me back.

-Mike

"Richard H." wrote in news:KAlwf.8783$V.7271@fed1read04:

Hi Richard - Ethernet cable was originally my plan, especially since originally I thought I needed 8 conductors. Problem is at least all the ethernet cable I have is fairly stiff, even the stranded stuff. I use some fairly high end patch cable at work, and even that is decidedly stiffer than I'd like. Ideally I'd like this cable to be like a wet noodle. But if the Belden cable John reccomended doesn't pan out I probabaly will end up with patch cable.

-Mike

How about that telephone-cord style stuff, but 6-conductor? (or 8, you can leave a few open or maybe have a couple of spare grounds or whatever). The "ethernet" cables I've seen all have solid wire, which would fail in a matter of weeks in a flex setting.

Or even two ordinary telephone cords?

Good Luck! Rich

Have you ever tried to work with "tinsel wire" outside its specified connectors? Not fun.

I vaguely remember trying to work with one of those big crystal earbuds wot had flimsy flesh-colored (insert standard inclusiveness disclaimer) twisted tinsel wires.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany