The terms “cable” and “cable assembly” are used interchangeably at times, but they are different things.

• A cable is a combination of drawn metal conductors, covered in an insulator, bundled together in a broad variety of fashions or combinations, and then covered in an extruded jacket.
• A cable assembly uses cable as one of its components. The cable is cut to a specific length and terminated at each end according to applications requirements.

Custom cable assemblies can be made with cable that is available “off the shelf”, as a standard or catalog component in the assembly. There are several Canadian cable manufacturers that make standard catalog cables for sale through distribution channels, or direct to cable assembly operations, such as Data Cable. There are Canadian companies, as well as divisions of large U.S. and multinational cable distributors, that stock and handle cable manufactured all over the globe.

There are also applications that require custom cables to be manufactured to a special specification. Custom requirements arise due to:

• Unique Application – Cables with multiple conductor sizes, different pairing configurations, shielding of individual elements (e.g. electro-magnetic interference shielding), or overall shields of various types.
• Environmental Conditions – Heat, cold, sunlight, oil, or water immersion.
• Regulatory Factors – Approvals, listings, voltage, or current carrying capacity.

Here in Canada, there are custom cable manufacturers that will provide cable, made to a special specification, in runs as short as 100 meters.

Data Cable is an experienced, longstanding custom cable assembly manufacturer in Canada. We work with many different processes and component manufacturers to produce a wide variety of finished cable assemblies, including power cable assemblies, signal cable assemblies, multi-conductor cable assemblies, shielded cable assemblies, and control pigtail assemblies. All of the custom cable assemblies we build for OEMs are custom, regardless if the cable in the assembly is an ‘off the shelf’ catalog item or custom made. Each assembly part number is unique to the customer’s specific application. Even similar assemblies can vary in length, terminations, and other specifications.

Let’s talk about your unique control cable assembly manufacturing needs. We’re confident we can help you find the right solution.