Measurements have been key to society since the beginning of civilization. How long should this plank be for this building under construction? How much salt do you need for this soup? How many acres is this property? Measurement units are extremely important in all aspects of life. But what about for cable assembly? This can also have a major impact on the assembly process, and here we will explain why.
Cable assembly companies in the US typically measure the length of their cables in millimeters, inches, and feet depending on the length of the cable that is being manufactured. But we would encourage you to think even more on this topic because it is more important to have a deep understanding on this than you might initially think.
In this article, we will be covering this topic in an easily understandable and digestible format. If you would like to learn more, we would appreciate your time and keep on reading.
Types Measurement Units and Why They are Important
We’ve already established that some cable assembly companies will measure in length primarily, but there are other aspects to consider that could potentially improve the overall quality of your already functioning cables.
Hardness
Some cables will need to be more flexible than others while being sturdy enough to hold up against immense pressure and thus using the right materials for what it is intended for is crucial.
But materials are just one factor to consider. Plastic can be thin and brittle while also having the potential to be a decently rigid material if manufactured a certain way.
With this in mind, testing your product with a durometer will help you determine if the cable is ready for prime time. A durometer is a device specifically designed to help users test the hardness of something using a unit of measurement known as a shore scale.
Flexible materials are usually in the 60 – 90 shore A scale. And so if you are manufacturing a cable with flexibility in mind, you’ll want to stick to this range.
Length
This is a more obvious unit of measurement for custom cable assembly manufacturers. But why is it so important to keep a close eye on the exact length of a cable? Some clients may require an exact specified length, and even something that is a millimeter off can be devastating. In addition, advertising a certain length and being off can potentially open up a can of worms that you don’t want.
If you are in the engineering drawing process of designing a cable, having a clear definition of the measurement units regarding length will make it easier to get the results you want.
Wire Size
Not to be confused with length, wire size also has an astronomical impact on your electronic cable assemblies.
Wire size refers to the size of the conductor cross section. In the USA, this is measured by AWG (American Wire Gauge) which is typically available increments of 2AWG, meaning your options would be 12AWG, 14AWG, and so on. Getting this right is important if you are designing a cable that will be used to pass a large electrical current though.
