What are Flat Cables?

What Are Flat Cables?

Flat cables—also known as ribbon cables or flat flexible cables (FFC)—are electrical cables where the conductors run parallel to each other on the same plane. This design results in a flat, wide profile instead of the round cross-section of conventional cables.

Key Characteristics:

• Shape: Flat and flexible; often thin and ribbon-like.
• Construction: Typically made of multiple insulated conductors aligned in parallel, encased in a single layer of insulation.
• Materials: Can be PVC, Teflon, or other thermoplastics for insulation; copper is common for conductors.

Industrial Applications of Flat Cables:

1. Cable Carrier Systems:
   • Used in drag chain systems where space is limited, and organized, bend-resistant cables are needed.
   • Applications: CNC machines, robotic arms, conveyor systems.
2. Elevators and Hoists:
   • Flat cables are ideal for traveling cables in elevators, where continuous flexing and minimal twisting are crucial.
3. Automated Production Lines:
   • Used in assembly lines for flexible connections between moving parts and control systems.
   • Benefit: Reduces tangling and improves airflow in densely packed control cabinets.
4. Aerospace and Defense:
   • Found in avionics and military equipment, where precise and compact cabling is critical.
5. Medical Equipment:
   • Integrated into imaging machines (like MRI or CT scanners) and surgical robots for their space-saving and flexibility advantages.
6. Data Centers and Servers:
   • Ribbon cables (a type of flat cable) are widely used to connect internal components in computers, servers, and storage devices (e.g., SCSI, IDE cables).
7. Renewable Energy Systems:
   • Deployed in solar trackers and wind turbines where cables must flex as the equipment moves.
8. Railway & Transport:
   • Used in train doors, pantographs, and moving connections due to their durability and resistance to constant motion.

Why Choose Flat Cables?

• Space Efficiency: Saves room in tight spaces.
• Flexibility: Suitable for dynamic (moving) applications.
• Improved Airflow: Especially useful in electronic enclosures.
• Reduced Crosstalk: Parallel conductors can reduce electromagnetic interference.
• Ease of Installation: Simplifies wiring layouts and organization.

Unigroup FZE offers high-quality flat cables with low minimum order quantities and competitive lead times. Their Solution Engineers provide expert guidance in selecting the optimal flat cable for specific applications, having successfully supported numerous custom projects in the UAE and GCC. Unigroup understands the complexities of cable design and ensures that, regardless of the environment or function, a flat cable can be tailored to enable the equipment to operate reliably and efficiently.