Steel wire armoring (SWA) and steel wire braiding (SWB) are two techniques used in electronic cables to enhance their performance, durability, and safety.
Steel Wire Armoring (SWA)
Steel wire armoring involves surrounding a cable with layers of steel wire for added protection. Its benefits include:
- Provides high resistance to mechanical stress, impact, and abrasion.
- Protects cables from crushing forces and accidental damage during installation or use.
- Enhances the lifespan of cables, particularly in harsh environments such as underground installations or industrial sites.
- Acts as a deterrent to rodents and other pests that may chew through unprotected cables.
- Provides additional tensile strength, making it suitable for vertical installations or areas with significant pulling forces.
- Withstands harsh environmental conditions, including exposure to moisture, chemicals, and extreme temperatures.
- Prevents accidental damage that could lead to electrical faults, ensuring safe operation in industrial or power applications.
- Offers limited electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, though this is not its primary function.
Steel Wire Braiding (SWB)
Steel wire braiding involves wrapping a cable with braided steel wires. Its benefits include:
- Retains cable flexibility while still providing mechanical protection, which is ideal for applications requiring movement or bending.
- Protects the cable sheath from abrasion and wear, especially in dynamic or high-friction environments.
- The braided steel provides superior electromagnetic interference shielding, reducing signal degradation in sensitive applications.
- Offers good resistance to tension and mechanical stress, albeit less than SWA.
- Provides a sleek and compact protective layer compared to armoring, making it suitable for applications where appearance and weight are important.
- Steel braiding can provide additional resistance to fire propagation by shielding the inner layers of the cable.
- Ideal for use in cables exposed to repetitive motion, as it supports durability without compromising flexibility.
SWA is better suited for fixed installations, such as underground or heavy industrial environments, where maximum protection is needed whereas SWB is preferred for applications requiring a combination of flexibility, EMI shielding, and moderate mechanical protection, such as in robotics, instrumentation, or mobile equipment.
