Where to buy many colors of stranded cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 04:19:25 am
content: I'm working on a project and require about 16 different color signal cables.It's for a device that will be installed into a car.The cable thickness isn't too much of an issue as it's just for reading sensors but it does need to be thick enough to withstand general automotive wear and tear.Maybe 1.6-2.5mm diameter total with a 0.7-1.5mm stranded conductor would be fine.The main issue i'm having is colors.Each wire needs to be identifiable and there's only 8 or so common wire colors.I think what i need is wire that has a colored stripe on the side. Like green with purple strip etc.. As this would expand the possible colors.However finding reasonably priced reels of that sort of stuff is proving hard.Does anyone know where i could find some?I don't mine if i have to buy from china, as long as the quality isn't rubbish.50M reels would be ideal.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 04:28:55 am
content: You mean something like this?http://uk.farnell.com/3m/3302-16/ribbon-cable-16way-30-5m/dp/1166717http://uk.farnell.com/amphenol-spectra-strip/132-2801-016/ribbon-cable-16way-30-5m/dp/1170258It's 10 colors and since there are 16 wires the colors are different at the ends.later edit:maybe some this would also work for you?http://uk.farnell.com/3m/3782-08p-270a/ribbon-cable-8-pair-per-m/dp/2064528It's 8 pairs, each pair having a white wire next to it.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 05:03:32 am
content: Yeah, i had though or ribbon cable but it's far to week and thin. This is for the user to wire up the tacho, speed sensor, handbrake, footbrake, etc..Also separating it all would be annoying.Really has to be bigger than 24AWG, even that is a bit small.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 07:00:39 am
content: There is a reason why cars have specially made wiring harness and one of them is to get the right number of cores in the correct colour's. What you could do is use two pieces of multi core trailer light cable this usually comes in 7 & 10 core versions 7 core is used on car trailers and cross chassis on commercial trailers while ten core is used as the main on commercial trailers.This company has 8 core and 12 core as well.http://www.maypole.ltd.uk/index.php?webpage=store.php&cID=18305Using trailer wire will most likely be your best bet as it is made for the rigors of the road.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 07:01:32 am
content: For lots of colours in moderate lengths, buying multicore and stripping it is one option

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 07:31:49 am
content: Your more likely looking at 100M reelsTryGENERAL CABLE NEW ZEALAND LIMITED75 – 89 Main South RoadRiccarton, ChristchurchPO Box 8044, Riccarton, Christchurch, New ZealandPhone: 0800 CABLES (0800 222 537)FAX: 0800 242 267EMAIL: sales@generalcable.co.nzhttp://www.generalcable.co.nz/getattachment/f52b11cd-98c6-475b-953e-5dce0101f728

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 07:32:54 am
content: Stripping multi-core cable is an option, but time consuming as the project is to be sold and there could be many orders.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 07:35:09 am
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on August 17, 2012, 07:31:49 amThanks

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 08:39:56 am
content: Thread from overclockers australia had a few recommendations:http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=987027

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 12:53:30 pm
content: Here's a link to get the search started at Farnell:http://nl.farnell.com/pro-power/mc6a-16-0-2t2-werd-100/wire-white-red-16-0-2mm-100m/dp/1172946

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 02:02:36 pm
content: RS. Many many many colours! PVC thoughhttp://singapore.rs-online.com/web/p/products/0361579/

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 02:50:21 pm
content: Problem is, there are only so many colours in the spectrum! Most will do maybe 10 or 12 solid colours. If you need any more than that you need colours with marker stripes (themselves a unique colour). If you have a look at the wiring loom in most cars, there's 30+ cables in some of them, and they just use different coloured stripe/solid combos. It's such a niche requirement though that not many places stock or sell it.The other option is to mark the cable yourself with a permanent marker. That doubles the number of cable colours (stripe/no stripe)

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 03:28:33 pm
content: Try your loal automotive electrical service store or agent also truck parts stores they will carry multi core cable for trailer lights, they will also carry wire with stripes as well as solid colour. They will also sell by the cut length so you wont have to buy a whole reel.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2012, 03:41:58 pm
content: RS sells those cables with varying striped colours ...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2012, 02:37:05 am
content: Quote from: T4P on August 17, 2012, 02:02:36 pmThey only have 7 colors, so not really "many many colors"

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2012, 03:25:48 am
content: Seeing you are in NZ, I think this would not be the most cost effective solution, but I buy all of my wire from AWC (Allied Wire and Cable)http://www.awcwire.com/Default.aspx.I like them because they have this "bargain bin" system where they sell partially used reels of wire at a discounted price. Usually instead of a full 500ft or 1000ft, you get like 197ft or some weird number. And it's a very good discount. Their standard prices aren't bad either.They also do custom cables:http://www.awcwire.com/Custom-Cables-Design.aspxYou could see if they could have it made for you. Depends on how much volume you plan on selling. If not much, then custom would probably not be the wisest decision.

author: westfw
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2012, 08:29:04 am
content: The telco industry has well established color coding systems for multiconductor cable. I don't know if there's anything in between 8-wire CAT5 style cable and 25-pair "trunk" cables, though.I'd be really inclined to run two 8-conductor CAT5 cables with different jacket colors...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2012, 10:38:06 am
content: Quote from: FenderBender on August 18, 2012, 03:25:48 amThanks, that company sells lots of multi-core cable that i could strip back to get what i need.I've put in a RFQ to see how much they want for it in various quantities.