Armored Cable vs. Flexible Cable—A Comparison

When electricity cabling is the factor, cable type can be as basic as safety, efficiency, and cost. There are many to consider, but two are used most often in commercial and industrial environments: flexible cables and armoured cables.

Armored Cable vs. Flexible Cable

The two are both channels of electrical signals or power from point A to point B, but the two could not be more dissimilar in design, use, and application. Electrical engineers, contractors, and cable specification project managers ought to know the difference under different conditions of work.

Armoured Cable vs flexible cable Having introduced the subject matter in brief, let us proceed and compare the armoured cable and the flexible cable so that the proper decision can be taken for the project ahead.

What is Armored Cable?

An armoured cable (AC), according to the Cable Manufacturer in Australia of the production company, means an electric cable with one or more metallic layers as a covering of armour. The armour typically consists of steel, aluminium, or interlocked and wound metal tape over the inner conductors of the cable for protection against mechanical stress. It is recommended to prevent any kind of mechanical damage to the cable, such as cuts due to tools, wear-off of latitude, crushing, or shock through the application of external forces. Armoured cables are essentially made for an industrial setting where cables are subjected to all kinds of harsh conditions, such as utility installations in underground situations, in hazardous places, and in places that are traffic- or foot-heavy. The armour is a protection, and if mechanical stress is imposed on the cable, then it will be totally secure to use.

The most common armoured cable employed is the metal-sheathed cable (MC), whose conductors are insulated and encased in metallic armour. The second widely used armoured cable in the United Kingdom is the steel wire armoured (SWA) cable, which is used for underground and overground installations mostly.

What is Flexible Cable?

Flex cable is the term used to refer to a bent cable. Flex cables consist of very thin wires whose strands are turned around and surrounded with a layer of insulating material and, finally, fully enveloped with a flexible sheathing. Flex cables are not resistant to twist/bend/motion in service and any harm caused as a consequence of wrapping or aging may possibly become fatal to any vibration or motion application.

Flexible cables find their way into handheld devices, robots, automatic equipment, and domestic appliances; it really is products where the cables are bent or flexed repeatedly and rigorously. Bending cycle resistance is a working requirement.

The second classification is Type of cable, and it breaks down further as follows:

Cable type: High Flex, wherein millions of flexing cycles are required, i.e., Cable carriers for CNC machines or robot arms. These cables employ special design and material features in attempting to survive their life in abusive flexing service.

Greatest Differences Between Armoured and Flexible Cables

Naturally, cables may be separated by separating their characteristics into a better position to deal with different situations.

1. Movement and Flexibility

Flexible cables are most appropriate in cases of continuous movement. Continuous flexing, coiling, and uncoiling is feasible without compromising inside. They are the cable of choice for roller conveyor, robot system, or drag chain system.

Armoured cables, on the other hand, are usually made to stay stable. They will probably be inflexible and not exposed to the outside. There are some armoured cables that are alright, bending in half in a transitional way without any interference; however, they are never made to move on and on, where gears cause the cable trays to move.

2. Protection and Durability

Armoured cables should be used in unsuitable conditions. Their metal armoring is the first and foremost safety against crush, rodent chewing, and general abuse. This should be installed underground or in industry exposed to danger in the way of forklifts, equipment, or building construction.

But flexible cables will still be damaged under a physically abusive condition unless they are provided with an external protection or cover. Flexible cables can be a good protection if bending or twisting stress is an internal protection problem.

3. Installation Requirements

Installation of armoured cables is cumbersome and time-consuming. Their installation complexity also renders it very difficult to route in running conduits or confined spaces. Armoured cable is cut by the use of special tools; it has to be handled carefully while terminating and earthing the metal armour.

The multi-purpose model should be the simplest to install and repair for small situations or rooms that require frequent updating. Their lightweight and multipurpose functionality has rendered them most favoured with electricians who have mobile units or operate in a fast-paced environment.

4. Cost Determiners

Its cost may be significantly varied for the two. Because of additional materials and processes of manufacture, neat assembly of the armour cables is expensive in the building. Because of one protective conduit or external protection that it provides, in a project, it can save money.

On the other hand, the flexible, low-cost cables are cheaper but would be equal to or, for a few of the extreme flex-life applications, greater than the cost of an elementary armoured cable. Total cost is based on life, probability of failure, installation, and labour content.

The Verdict: Which Do You Like Best

Whether to utilize flexible cable or armoured cable is your particular installation requirement. When you find yourself in an unwelcoming environment where mechanical stress could become a problem, nothing is as convenient as utilizing armoured cable.

Both of these forms are used by most of the plants together today. For instance, armoured cables may be powering inside the plant structure with flexible cables on movable machine components or temporary plants.

If you bear in mind the strength and weakness of each form, you can design electrical systems that are more reliable, less expensive, and safer as part of your surroundings.

Also Read: What are The Types of Solar Cables?