WIRE AND CABLES

INTRODUCTION:

Medium is the actual path for the electromagnetic

energy of the link of the communication system.
Through the medium, the energy representing the
data of the sender can reach the receiver.
This path can take many forms : an electrical
conductor such as wire, vacuum. or optical fiber.
Copper is an inexpensive metal that is easily
made into wire,
Fortunately, it is also an excellent conductor of
electricity
When separate wires are collected into bundles
and are given special protective jacketing, the
term ‘cable’ is often used
The main types of wire and cable used in data
communications are
(a) Twisted pair
(b) Multiconductor flat cable
(c) Coaxial cable
TWISTED PAIR:
Twisted pair cable is the simplest and lowest cost
cable
It consists of two insulated wire twisted around
each other in a continuous spiral
The wire is twisted to minimise the external
noise
Twisted pair is used between telephones and the
central office
It is difficult to use, when many signals must be
brought from one place to another.
MULTI CONDUCTOR FLAT CABLE:
The multi conductor flat cable consists of many
parallel wires in a common plastic jacket
A cable of this type can have any number from
10 to about 50 wires
All the wires are grouped mechanically and they
can be used with a single connector at each end.
Flat cable is more expensive than twisted pair.
Coaxial wire
For some applications, coaxial cable (coax) must
be used.
It consists of a solid-centre conductor surrounded
by a plastic insulator such as Teflon
Over the insulator, is a second conductor, a
tubular braid or shield made of fine wires
An outer plastic insulation protects and insulates
the braid.
 It is fairly expensive to buy and can be difficult to
install, because of its mechanical stiffness and
thickness.

USES:
Raw material of many
important manufacturers, such as the wire
netting industry, engineered springs, wire-
making and wire rope spinning, in which it
occupies a place analogous to a textile fiber
Wire-cloth of all degrees of strength and
fineness of mesh is used for sifting and
screening machinery, for draining paper pulp,
for window screens, and for many other
purposes.
Vast quantities
of aluminium, copper, nickel and steel wire
are employed for telephone and data cables,
and as conductors in electric power
transmission, and heating.
It is in no less demand for fencing, and much
is consumed in the construction of suspension
bridges, and cages, etc.
In the manufacture of stringed musical
instruments and scientific instruments, wire is
again largely used.
Carbon and stainless spring steel wire have
significant applications in engineered springs
for critical automotive or industrial
manufactured parts/components.
Pin and hairpin making; the needle and fish-
hook industries; nail, peg, and rivet making;
and carding machinery consume large
amounts of wire as feedstock.
CONCLUSION:
Wire is often reduced to the desired diameter
and properties by repeated drawing through
progressively smaller dies, or traditionally
holes in draw plates.
After a number of passes the wire may
be annealed to facilitate more drawing or, if it
is a finished product, to maximise ductility
and conductivity.