Page 8 - AutomationNOTEBOOK volume 41

FYI continued
application. Most all cable is ‘flexible’ to a certain extent,
and it is designed to be bent and routed during installation. However, in applications that
will require constant movement during everyday use or routine machine operation be sure to specify ‘flexing’ cable. Flexing cable is often used in cable track (c-track) to protect the cable
and to regulate its motion path. Flexing cable will have a rat-
ing for the maximum number
of bends over the lifetime of the product – usually several million cycles. Designers should also pay special attention to the minimum bend radius for flexing cable and make sure that the required radius for each application exceeds that minimum.
What do the letters on service cord mean?
Flexible portable cord (also called drop cord, service cord,
or SO cord) can have long acronyms or partial part num- bers associated with the vari-
ous constructions. Service cord is available in a number of UL and CSA types including SO, SOW, SOOW, SJ, SJO, SJOW, STO and SJTO. Each letter of the cable
type indicates a particular feature of the cable. For example: S = service (600 volts), SJ = junior service (300 volts), E = elastomer jacket, O = oil-resistant jacket, OO = oil-resistant insulation AND jacket, and W = weather resistant. Note: It’s confusing, but “Type
W” is a different spec than the aforementioned “W” (see below). Automation Direct currently sells:
• SOOW and SJOOW with a thermoset rubber jacket
- Best abrasion
resistance
- Rubber, unlike plastic,
is resistant to melting on momentary contact with a
hot surface
- Lowest cost
- Temp Range:
-40°C to 90°C
(-40°F to 194°F) - Available in 2, 3,
and 4 conductors, from 18 to 10 AWG (SEOOW now
with 5 conductors)
• SEOOW and SJEOOW with
a thermoplastic elastomer jacket
FYI
- Wider continuous temperature range
- Better flexibility at very low temperatures
- Temp Range: -50°C to 105°C (-58°F to
221°F)
- Available in 2, 3, and
4 conductors, from 18to10AWG (SEOOW now available with 5 conductors)
• Type W has a chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) jacket
- Rated for heavy-duty
service
- 2000 Volts
- Temp Range: -40°C to 90°C (-40°F to
194°F)
- Available in 8 AWG,
with 4 conductors (only)
What types of bulk multi-conductor cables are currently offered by AutomationDirect (2/13/2019)?
• Flexible Portable Cord Flexible portable cord (also
called service cord) is cable with multiple conductors used for electrical power connections requiring flexibility. Typical indoor and outdoor applications include wiring for industrial machinery, large appliances, heavy-duty tools, motors, and temporary
Go to Article
Editor's Note
New Product Focus
- WEG High-Performance AC Drives
- FREE Online PLC Training
FYI
Cut to Length Q&A: Bulk Multi-Conductor Cable
PLC Speaking
Business Notes
Cover Story
Mastering Machine Maintenance
What's New
User Solutions
Open System Provides Precise Temperature Control
Student Spotlight
Copley High School Student Project and Update
Flexing Cables are often installed in cable track (photo courtesy igus, inc.)
AutomationDirect sells both Flexible Control Cable and Continuous Flexing Control Cable. AutomationDirect also offers Continuous Flexing Motor Supply Cable and Continuous Flexing Industrial Ethernet Cable.
continued >>
Break Room
Brain Teasers
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