Industrial Automation
What are Single core & Multi Core Industrial Cables? Differentiate between them.
Table of Contents
- What is a Single Core Cable?
- Applications of Single-Core Cable
- Advantages of Single-Core Cables
- Disadvantages of Single-Core Cables
- What is a Multi core cable?
- Applications of multi core Industrial Cables
- Advantages of Multi-Core Cables
- Disadvantages of Multi-Core Cable
- Differences between these Single core cables and Multi core cables
- Frequently asked Questions
- In this article, we will discuss what are single-core cables and multi-core cables and differences between these cables.
- Electrical Cables are an essential component in the industrial automation sector. Before installing it is essential to know what type of cable must be installed and where it is required to minimize accidents in the instrument part or electrical part.
- In the automation sector, we use various types of cables, but categorizing these cables between various sections is the most essential factor.
What is a Single Core Cable?
- A single core cable includes conductors and insulators. Conductors convey current signals with them, but insulators protect these conductors from external surroundings.
- Since a single core cable consists of a single conductor or wire is used inside a line composed of either copper or aluminum.
- But this cable is sheathed with Rubber or PVC or other protective materials that are non-conductive in nature.
- Single Core Cable provides better durability, rigidity, and excellent flexibility.
- It is composed of solid or stranded types with a thicker diameter.
- Let us assume that we are using 2 power supply cables as the main line and neutral as a good example of a single-core cable by utilizing 2 single-core cables.
Applications of Single-Core Cable
- Domestic requirements such as household electrical appliances.
- These are employed within the home to develop an electrical circuit
- These cables are perfect or best suited for personal computers, electronic gadgets, and control panels
- These cables convey electrical power supply among various machines for better communication between them.
Advantages of Single-Core Cables
- Easy to connect or install.
- Easy to transport
- The current carrying capacity is high
- High Strength, durability & electrical conductivity
Disadvantages of Single-Core Cables
- Low Structural strength.
- More susceptible to damage.
- Not armor protected
What is a Multi core cable?
- Multi core cable consists of multiple electrical conductors or wires within the cable protected by an external insulation layer.
- Basically, it includes multiple cables insulated in an external coating layer.
- As we know, these multi core industrial cables are a bunch of various cables that caters to the requirement of different power supplies.
- These cables are structured for absorbing high temperatures. Their external coating is made of Poly Vinyl Chloride advantageous to protect from heat and provides better mechanical protection for wires and cables.
- Additionally, these multi core cables used for industrial purposes are insulated by rubber, or Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC).
- These cables are proposed by using more than one conductor in a single cable.
- Even these multi core ables are insulated individually within a single cable.
Applications of multi core Industrial Cables
These Multi-core industrial cables are excellent conductors of electricity and efficiently meet industrial requirements.
- Link various signals from junction box to Marshalling panel
- Linking various electronic gadgets like speakers or cameras
- Supplying high electrical power transmission to heavy machinery
Advantages of Multi-Core Cables
- Space saving
- Improved performance
- Corrosion resistant
- Ultra flexible
- Multi-functional
Disadvantages of Multi-Core Cable
- Poor tensile resistance.
- Easy to mold broken,
- Poor surge current resistance,
- Not convenient shaping.
Differences between these Single core cables and Multi core cables
Let us see some differences between these Single core cables and Multi core cables
Single Core Cable | Multi-Core Cables |
---|---|
Uses single conductor cable | Uses multiple conductor cable |
Applicable for Domestic & Home applications | Applicable for industrial applications |
Less prone to high-stress and high-temperature areas. | More resistant to high-stress and temperature areas. |
Available in a bigger diameter to an extent. | Available in a limited diameter to an extent. |
Skin effect is more evident in the single-core cable. | Skin effect is less evident than in the single-core cable |
Able to link single-core cables having a large diameter. | Unable to link large-diameter multi core cables. |
Easy to pull since it is a single conductor | Very difficult to pull due to multiple or a bunch of cables. |
Feasible & practical to connect. | Not feasible to link. |
The structural strength of single-core cable is very less. | The structural strength of single-core cable is the more. |
Single core cable is cheaper than multi core cable. | Multi core cable is more expensive compared to single core cable. |
The strength, durability & electrical conductivity of single-core cable are very high compared to multi core cable | The Strength, durability & electrical conductivity of multi core cable are very less & negligible compared to multi core cable. |
High current carrying capacity | Low current carrying capacity |
Transportation & Installation is easy. | Transportation & Installation is difficult compared to Single core cables. |
The chance of short circuits and electrical damage is very less. | The chance of short circuits and electrical damage is more. |
More susceptible to mechanical stress | Less susceptible to mechanical stress |
Single-core cables are more susceptible to damage. | Multi-core cables are less affected by breakage. |
Single-core cables are capsuled by only one outer layer. | Multi core cables are capsuled by many layers of insulation. |
Aids for a Single application or only one purpose. | Aids for multiple applications or for different purposes. |
Frequently asked Questions
Which is better single core or multi core cable?
- A single-core cable is much more resilient and durable unlike a multi core cable, and it has a greater capacity for electrical conductivity.
- A single-core cable has a relatively higher current capacity than a multi-core cable.
Where is the single core cable used?
Domestic purposes like household electrical appliances.
What is the size of a single core cable?
1.5mm
Can the single core cable be armored?
The single-core cable cannot be armored.