Looking for thin flexible cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 03:59:47 am
content: I'm looking for a flexible two conductor cable. The outside diameter must be around 3 mm (~0.12"). The cable will be used for power supply for a hand held probe (5V, 100 mA), so it must be as flexible as possible. Kind of like oscilloscope probes.Long time a ago I got a roll of RG-174 coaxial cable at a local surplus store and it is perfect for this, but I need more and I can't find the same thing again. The cable I got is very flexible, just like your typical scope probes. I ordered a few different samples of RG-174 and they all are very rigid. The outer isolation is really thick and stiff.I'm at a loss. None of the online shops specify stiffens of the cable, so I have no idea how to search for it.Just a regular two conductor cable will work as well, but again I have no idea how to find one that is not stiff.Any ideas? Anyone knows a source for that specific type of RG-147 cable?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:13:31 am
content: Did you try Belden 8216?If that's not flexible enough, you could look for some audio headphone cable, but that's hard to terminate.Or how about putting a micro-USB jack on your probe? There are plenty of flexible phone charging cables out there.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:20:37 am
content: Quote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:13:31 amNot specifically.Quote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:13:31 amWhat do you mean by "terminate"? I don't need any RF performance, all it has to do is carry power.I tried to look for a sort of cable keyboards and mice are attached to the computer and headphone cable, but I can't find an easy to get raw cable. Search gets flooded with actual products.Quote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:13:31 amThe probe has a 3 mm hole and physical design is set and is not going to change.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:26:11 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on March 18, 2016, 04:20:37 amWell, there you go, Belden says it's the smallest and most flexible RG cable.http://www.blog.beldensolutions.com/free-cable/QuoteI mean it's hard to physically attach the wire to anything... doesn't solder well.Could you fit a 2.5mm audio jack in the probe and use a pre-made audio cable?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:33:52 am
content: Quote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:26:11 amI'll keep it in mind, but I'd rather try to find a cheaper option. It is on the expensive side for a power cableQuote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:26:11 amThe shield of the one I've got does not wet well either.Quote from: edavid on March 18, 2016, 04:26:11 amNot really. The picture illustrates what I have to work with. It is a pen case, I can't change much there and I like how it works right now. The hole goes into a tube providing very good strain relief.

author: Habropoda
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:59:19 am
content: Microphone cable might work. Mogami w2330 is 3mm, 28ga center conductor, braided shield. W3031 is 2.8mm with two 28ga center conducters and a braided shield. Both are very flexible. You might be able to find a cheaper version somewhere.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 05:32:42 am
content: Quote from: Habropoda on March 18, 2016, 04:59:19 amOrdered samples of both, We'll see how they look.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 08:39:09 pm
content: Got the samples. Mogami W3031 is a cable I was looking for.Thanks, everyone!