Instrumentation Cables - Pair cables / core cables or both

[NickParker]

I had always thought that, Instrument cables mean "type of cables which are grouped either twisted pair or triad or quad" with individual or overall shielding. Now I'm seeing a manufacturer catalogue showing core cables as "Instrument Cables". Please enlighten me regarding this.

 

[itsmoked]

As far as I know "instrument cable" is any cable carrying 'signals' as compared to 'power or energy'. Instrument cable can be single wires, paired wires, twisted pairs, sheilded pairs, sheilded twisted pairs, multiple sheilded pairs, coat hangers, wet string, whatever, as long as it is not carrying power other than power for an instrument. That means wire vendors can group any of their products that logically fit the description above into their "instrument offerings". There is no official definition of instrument wire/cable that I know of.

There ARE official definitions of categories such as "plenum" for fire codes and flammability aspects.

That is my current understanding...

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[waross]

Digital signals such as pressure switches, flow switches, thermostats, limit switches, motor controls etc. may in some cases be included run in un-shielded cables, or in cables with an overall shield.
Some may be more comfortable calling this class of cables "Instrument and Control Cables" rather than just "Instrument Cables".

Bill
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"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter