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With that in mind, we’ve decided to take things back to basics and explain the concepts and benefits behind one of the fundamentals of custom cable design – multicore cables.

The Definition of a Multicore Cable

A multicore cable is any cable that has more cores in it than a cable of that type would usually have. That means that a cable with more than one core doesn’t necessarily qualify as multicore; for example, if a cable design usually features 12 cores, then a 12 core cable would be the standard rather than multicore. A 16 core cable, however, would be considered a multicore cable. The cores in a multicore cable are bundled together with a single cable and often carry out different functions; a multicore cable can include power, data transmission and AV elements inside a single cable sheath. Often a multicore cable will split at the end, allowing for each of these elements to be connected to whatever it is they need to be connected to in order to carry out their function. Multicore cables are extremely versatile and can be utilised across a broad range of industries and for many different applications. Because of this, many multicore cables are custom built by cable designers.

However, multicore cables can also be built from existing cables, with the cores twisted to form a single cable even if the cables have different sizes of conductors.

In most instances, a multicore cable will feature heavy cable jacketing in order to protect the cable from damage and negate the effects of electromagnetic interference. However, multicore cable designs can actually neglect this jacket in order to reduce the overall weight of the cable. This choice depends entirely on the kind of application for which the cable will be used.

What Are Multicore Cables Used For?

Multicore cables are extremely versatile and are used for all kind of applications, especially those which would otherwise call for a high volume of cables. Multicore cables are often used in electronic equipment and for applications where space is limited, such as aircraft and medical equipment. Multicore cables are also used extensively in entertainment, with concert venues and theatres often utilising cables combining power, data and AV to avoid a tangled mass of cables running across the stage! These cables often split off at the end to form a mass of different connectors; this design is often referred to as a ‘snake cable’. In short, multicore cables can be used anywhere that might benefit from combining data, power, coaxial and AV cores into a single cable! For more information on multicore cables and what they could do for your business, get in touch with Custom Designed Cables.

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However, this cost has led to the rise of counterfeit cables, an issue we have covered in a previous blog post. Counterfeit cables retail at a fraction of the cost of a regular cable but come with the potential to do a lot of damage to equipment, property and even lives through inherent fire risks. What’s more, identifying a counterfeit cable is often extremely difficult and can’t usually be done until the cable has actually arrived. By this point, it’s too late to return or demand a refund, as the supplier will have moved on to their next customer. That means it’s imperative before you commit to buy any new cables that you identify the supplier – or the manufacturer – as trusted. Here are a few ways to go about that:

Previous Work

When shopping for any service, one of the first things you should look for is a good track record. In the cable manufacturing industry, this will come down to the types of cable they have produced in the past, the industries they’d produced cables for and the quality of the end product. In some instances this information will be readily available on the manufacturer’s website or via a company blog, but you can also call the manufacturer direct to enquire about some of their previous work – most will be more than happy to have a chat about relevant projects.

Demonstration of Knowledge

The subject of cable design is quite complex and requires a lot of knowledge learnt over a long period of time. A counterfeit manufacturer, while having this knowledge, won’t take the time to share it with their customer base; it’s far too much effort when they could be knocking up cheap imitations. A reputable manufacturer, however, will disclose some of their processes and explain in detail what kind of cables they build, what the cables are used for, and so on. In some instances, the manufacturer will also have a regularly updated blog – like Custom Designed Cables do!

Contact

Many counterfeit manufacturers will provide a non-specific email address and little else; getting in touch with the manufacturer will also prove nigh-on impossible, as they are likely to be based in the Far East. A reputable cable manufacturer will provide full contact details including where they are based. During the process of your project, they will also provide a direct point of contact for you to get in touch with should you have any queries or complaints. Make sure that this is the case before you pay out for new cables! This direct point of contact will also be able to make amendments to your specific custom cable specifications.

Markings

While not necessarily something that you can check before the cable has been made, proper markings are a sure sign of a reputable manufacturer. One thing to look out for is the manufacturer’s name on the cable; rather than being for vanity or free advertising, this allows the cable to be traced back to the manufacturer should something go wrong. Almost all counterfeit cables will negate this detail. To learn more about how we manufacture cables in a trustworthy manner, get in touch.

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