President’s Message
Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cables
Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable for Industrial Automation and Control Systems
Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable combines flexible copper signal transmission with galvanized steel wire armor for industrial routes that require additional mechanical protection. ETK Kablo manufactures PVC-jacketed SWA signal-control cables with foil screening, tinned copper braid screening or combined foil-and-braid screening for automation, process control, monitoring and low-voltage control applications.
The current ETK Kablo range uses Class 5 stranded electrolytic copper conductors, PVC or solid polyethylene conductor insulation according to cable type, a PVC inner jacket, galvanized steel wire armor and a PVC outer jacket. Electromagnetic screening remains separate from the steel armor: Al/PET foil and tinned copper braid manage electromagnetic interference, while the galvanized steel armor provides mechanical protection.
This distinction is essential during specification. A cable can contain both electromagnetic screens and steel armor, but these metallic layers perform different engineering functions. ETK Kablo therefore divides the Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable family into Foil Screened, Braid Screened and Braided Foil Screened subcategories.
What Is a Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable?
A steel wire armored signal-control cable is a flexible multicore, multipair or multitriad communication cable with a galvanized steel armor layer around the inner-jacketed cable core.
The cable transmits analog, digital or control signals between equipment such as sensors, control panels, PLCs, actuators and monitoring systems. Steel Wire Armor adds mechanical protection for fixed routes where the cable faces greater physical exposure than a conventional PVC signal cable.
The SWA layer does not determine the electromagnetic-screening architecture. ETK Kablo offers several screen constructions inside the armored family, so buyers should specify mechanical protection and EMC requirements independently.
ETK Kablo Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable Range
| Screening Family | Electromagnetic Screen | Mechanical Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Foil Screened SWA | Al/PET foil with tinned copper earthing wire | Galvanized steel wire armor |
| Braid Screened SWA | Tinned copper braid | Galvanized steel wire armor |
| Braided Foil Screened SWA | Al/PET foil + tinned copper braid | Galvanized steel wire armor |
The current range contains six foil-screened products, four braid-screened products and six foil-plus-braid-screened products.
Steel Wire Armor and Electromagnetic Screening Are Different
Several metallic elements can appear in one armored signal cable, but they should not be grouped together under the word “shielding.”
| Component | Typical Material | Main Function |
|---|---|---|
| Foil Screen | Al/PET tape | Electromagnetic screening |
| Screen Braid | Tinned copper | Electromagnetic screening |
| Earthing Wire | Tinned copper | Supports screen continuity and termination |
| Armor | Galvanized steel wire | Mechanical protection |
Project engineers should therefore specify the screen construction separately from SWA mechanical protection.
Galvanized Steel Wire Armor
The defining mechanical feature of this family is the galvanized steel wire armor outside the PVC inner jacket.
The current ETK Kablo product construction places the signal-control core and electromagnetic screen inside a UV-resistant PVC inner jacket. Galvanized steel wire armor then surrounds this inner cable, followed by polyester tape and a UV-resistant PVC outer jacket.
The armor can provide additional protection for industrial cable routes where the cable may encounter greater physical exposure.
However, SWA alone should not automatically be interpreted as proof of suitability for every direct-burial, submerged, chemical or continuously moving application. Those route conditions should be specified independently.
PVC Inner and Outer Jackets
The current PVC Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable range uses PVC for both the inner and outer jacket.
The inner jacket creates a defined layer between the signal-control core and steel armor. The outer PVC jacket then covers the complete armored construction.
Current product pages identify the jackets as UV-resistant PVC, commonly in RAL 7035 grey.
PVC-jacketed signal cables and LSZH signal-control cables belong to separate ETK Kablo families. Projects requiring halogen-free materials should evaluate the corresponding LSZH signal-control range separately.
Class 5 Flexible Copper Conductors
The current ETK Kablo SWA signal-control products use stranded electrolytic copper conductors in accordance with Class 5 requirements.
Class 5 conductor construction provides flexibility for installation and termination in control panels, junction boxes and industrial equipment.
This flexibility should not be confused with continuous-flex or drag-chain qualification. A Class 5 conductor can be flexible without being designed for uninterrupted repetitive robotic motion.
LIY and LI2Y Armored Signal Cable Constructions
The current SWA family includes both LIY- and LI2Y-based cable types.
| Family | Conductor Insulation | Current Jacket System |
|---|---|---|
| LIY... | PVC | PVC inner jacket + SWA + PVC outer jacket |
| LI2Y... | Solid polyethylene | PVC inner jacket + SWA + PVC outer jacket |
The “2Y” designation is therefore important: LI2Y constructions use polyethylene conductor insulation even though the inner and outer jackets remain PVC in the current product family.
The complete family should not be described as having PVC insulation on every conductor because that would be inaccurate for LI2Y products.
Foil Screened Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable
The Foil Screened SWA range uses Al/PET foil for electromagnetic screening together with galvanized steel wire armor for mechanical protection.
The current standard construction includes a tinned copper earthing wire with the Al/PET screen.
Published product families include:
- LIY(St)YSWAY
- LIY(St)YSWAY-TP/TT
- LIY(St)YSWAY-PiMF/TiMF
- LI2Y(St)YSWAY
- LI2Y(St)YSWAY-TP/TT
- LI2Y(St)YSWAY-PiMF/TiMF
The steel armor remains outside the PVC inner jacket and performs a different function from the foil screen.
Braid Screened Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable
The Braid Screened SWA range uses an overall tinned copper braid as its electromagnetic screen.
The current published family includes:
- LIYCYSWAY
- LIYCYSWAY-TP/TT
- LI2YCYSWAY
- LI2YCYSWAY-TP/TT
The tinned copper braid belongs to the electrical screen system. The galvanized steel wire armor outside the inner jacket provides separate mechanical protection.
Braided Foil Screened Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable
The Braided Foil Screened SWA range combines Al/PET foil with tinned copper braiding before the PVC inner jacket.
Published products include:
- LIY(St)CYSWAY
- LIY(St)CYSWAY-TP/TT
- LIY(St)CYSWAY-PiMF/TiMF
- LI2Y(St)CYSWAY
- LI2Y(St)CYSWAY-TP/TT
- LI2Y(St)CYSWAY-PiMF/TiMF
This construction combines two electromagnetic-screening elements with a third metallic system for mechanical protection.
| Metallic Element | Main Function |
|---|---|
| Al/PET foil | Electromagnetic screening |
| Tinned copper braid | Electromagnetic screening |
| Galvanized steel wire armor | Mechanical protection |
Foil vs Braid vs Foil + Braid in SWA Signal Cables
| Construction | Foil | Copper Braid | Steel Armor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foil Screened SWA | Yes | No | Yes |
| Braid Screened SWA | No | Yes | Yes |
| Braided Foil Screened SWA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The appropriate electromagnetic screen should follow the signal type, installation environment, interference sources and project specification.
The Steel Wire Armor remains common to all three screening families and addresses mechanical requirements instead.
Multicore, TP/TT and PiMF/TiMF Constructions
The current Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable portfolio supports several signal-core organizations.
Standard Multicore Construction
Standard multicore types strand the insulated conductors together in layers.
These constructions can suit conventional multicore control and signal circuits where the project does not require pair- or triad-specific geometry.
TP/TT Construction
TP/TT versions organize the insulated conductors into twisted pairs or triads before the complete cable core is stranded.
Pair and triad grouping can help keep related signal conductors together in instrumentation, automation and control circuits.
PiMF/TiMF Construction
PiMF/TiMF identifies pairs or triads with individual foil screens.
In the current foil-screened SWA PiMF/TiMF construction, each pair or triad receives polyester wrapping plus a tinned copper earthing wire and Al/PET foil. The assembled core then receives an additional overall foil screen before the PVC inner jacket and steel armor.
This architecture can provide more granular electromagnetic separation between individual signal circuits.
PiMF/TiMF Is Not the Same as Overall Foil Screening
An overall foil screen surrounds the complete cable core.
PiMF/TiMF adds a dedicated foil screen around each pair or triad.
A cable can therefore contain both individual pair/triad screens and a separate overall screen.
| Screen Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Overall Foil | One screen around the assembled cable core |
| PiMF | Individual foil screen around each pair |
| TiMF | Individual foil screen around each triad |
Typical Conductor Cross-Sections
The current ETK Kablo SWA signal-control product pages publish conductor cross-sections from 0.22 mm² through 2.50 mm².
| Cross-Section | Published Conductor Resistance at 20°C |
|---|---|
| 0.22 mm² | 85.0 Ω/km |
| 0.25 mm² | 77.8 Ω/km |
| 0.34 mm² | 56.0 Ω/km |
| 0.50 mm² | 39.0 Ω/km |
| 0.75 mm² | 26.0 Ω/km |
| 1.00 mm² | 19.5 Ω/km |
| 1.50 mm² | 13.3 Ω/km |
| 2.50 mm² | 7.98 Ω/km |
The exact conductor size should follow signal requirements, voltage drop, circuit current, route length and project specification.
Operating Voltage Depends on Conductor Size
The current ETK Kablo technical tables do not assign one universal operating voltage to every size in this family.
For the published products:
- 0.22 mm², 0.25 mm² and 0.34 mm² constructions are published at 250 V DC with a 1200 V DC test voltage.
- 0.50 mm² through 2.50 mm² constructions are published at 300/500 V with a 2000 V test voltage.
Operating voltage therefore depends on conductor size rather than one blanket 300/500 V rating across the SWA range.
Insulation Material Affects Electrical Data
LIY and LI2Y constructions use different conductor-insulation materials.
For example, the current LIY(St)YSWAY PVC-insulated product publishes insulation-resistance values of 200 MΩ/km for smaller conductor sizes and 20 MΩ/km for larger sizes.
The LI2Y(St)YSWAY product uses solid PE conductor insulation and publishes 5000 MΩ/km insulation resistance across the listed sizes.
Electrical data should therefore be confirmed for the exact LIY or LI2Y product rather than assumed to be identical across the Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable family.
Mutual Capacitance
The current ETK Kablo product pages publish mutual-capacitance values that vary with conductor cross-section.
| Cross-Section | Published Mutual Capacitance |
|---|---|
| 0.22–0.34 mm² | 110 nF/km |
| 0.50–0.75 mm² | 120 nF/km |
| 1.00 mm² | 130 nF/km |
| 1.50 mm² | 140 nF/km |
| 2.50 mm² | 150 nF/km |
Project engineers should therefore use the exact product and conductor size when capacitance forms part of the system specification.
Mechanical Characteristics
Current representative PVC SWA signal-control products publish:
- Minimum bending radius: 7.5xD
- Operating temperature range: -30°C to +70°C
- Class 5 stranded copper conductors
- Galvanized steel wire armor
- PVC inner and outer jackets
Exact dimensions, cable weight and packing should still follow the selected product configuration because core count, pair count, triad count, screening and conductor size can materially change the cable geometry.
Flame Retardancy
The current PVC SWA product pages reference IEC 60332-1-2 together with corresponding VDE and BS EN references for flame retardancy.
This establishes a reaction-to-fire characteristic for the published PVC construction.
It should not be interpreted as fire-resistant circuit integrity such as FE180, PH120, E30, E60 or E90.
Projects requiring defined circuit survival during fire should evaluate ETK Kablo's dedicated Fire Resistant Cable families rather than treating standard PVC SWA signal cable as fire resistant.
Steel Wire Armored vs Steel Wire Braided Signal Control Cable
ETK Kablo maintains separate SWA and SWB signal-control families.
| Construction | Mechanical Layer | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable | Galvanized steel wire armor | Mechanical protection |
| Steel Wire Braided Signal Control Cable | Galvanized steel wire braid | Braided mechanical protection |
The correct design should follow the mechanical requirements of the installation rather than an assumption that one construction is universally preferable.
SWA vs Copper Braid Screening
Steel Wire Armor and tinned copper braid should not be confused.
A braid-screened SWA cable contains both:
- Tinned copper braid inside the cable for electromagnetic screening
- Galvanized steel wire armor outside the inner jacket for mechanical protection
The material and position of each layer determine its engineering function.
Steel Wire Armored vs Non-Armored Signal Control Cable
| Feature | Steel Wire Armored | Standard Non-Armored |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Mechanical Protection | Yes | No |
| Electromagnetic Screening | Foil, braid or foil + braid according to selected construction | Depends on selected standard signal cable |
| Inner Jacket Before Armor | Yes | Normally not required for steel armor |
| Main Selection Driver | Mechanical exposure + EMC requirement | Signal transmission + EMC requirement |
Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable for Industrial Automation
Automation systems use signal cables between PLCs, sensors, actuators, transmitters, control panels and field equipment.
Where these routes also face greater mechanical exposure, an SWA construction can add steel protection around the signal cable.
The foil, braid or combined screen should then follow the electromagnetic environment and signal sensitivity.
Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable for Process Control
Process-control systems can contain many analog and digital signals within industrial plants.
TP/TT and PiMF/TiMF constructions can help organize related circuits and, where required, provide more targeted screening between pairs or triads.
The steel armor addresses physical exposure separately from the signal-screening strategy.
Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable for PLC and Control Panels
PLC systems depend on reliable communication between controllers and field devices.
Class 5 conductors support practical routing and termination, while screen architecture can help manage electromagnetic interference near industrial equipment.
SWA becomes relevant where the cable route also requires additional physical protection.
Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable Near Motors and Drives
Industrial environments can contain motors, variable-frequency drives, power cables and switching equipment that generate electromagnetic noise.
Foil-, braid- or combined-screened signal cable can help reduce coupling into sensitive control circuits when the system uses appropriate routing and screen termination.
Steel armor does not replace electromagnetic screening and does not eliminate normal separation and bonding practices.
Can Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable Be Installed Outdoors?
The current ETK Kablo PVC SWA product pages describe the inner and outer PVC jackets as UV resistant.
This supports outdoor-oriented installation where PVC construction suits the project environment.
However, an outdoor route can introduce additional requirements such as standing water, chemical exposure, temperature extremes or burial conditions. These factors should be specified separately.
Can Steel Wire Armored Signal Cable Be Installed Underground?
Steel Wire Armor can be relevant to underground duct and infrastructure routes where additional mechanical protection is required.
However, underground installations can also involve moisture, water exposure, pulling loads and chemical conditions.
SWA alone should therefore not be treated as universal confirmation of suitability for every underground route.
Can SWA Signal Cable Be Direct Buried?
Direct-burial suitability depends on the complete cable construction and installation environment.
Steel armor provides mechanical protection, but direct burial can require additional moisture, water-blocking, chemical or installation characteristics.
Projects requiring direct burial should include soil conditions, moisture exposure, route design and other environmental requirements in the RFQ.
SWA Signal Control Cable vs Armored Instrumentation Cable
Signal-control and instrumentation cables can serve related industrial systems, but they should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
Instrumentation cables often use project-specific pair or triad constructions and screening arrangements for measured process signals.
ETK Kablo's dedicated Instrumentation Cable range includes instrumentation-specific constructions such as RE-2X(St)H and related types, while the SWA signal-control range uses LIY/LI2Y-based constructions.
SWA Signal Control Cable vs Power Cable
Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable is not a main power-distribution cable simply because it contains steel armor.
The conductor sizes, voltage ratings and electrical design target signal and control circuits.
Main power distribution should use cable types designed and rated for the relevant power circuit.
How to Specify Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable
| Specification Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Protection | Steel Wire Armor (SWA) |
| Screening | Foil, braid or foil + braid |
| Conductor | Class 5 stranded electrolytic copper |
| Conductor Insulation | PVC (LIY) or solid PE (LI2Y) |
| Core Organization | Multicore, TP/TT or PiMF/TiMF where available |
| Cross-Section | Required conductor size according to circuit |
| Voltage Requirement | Confirm according to selected conductor size |
| Jacket | PVC inner and outer jackets in the current standard range |
| EMI Environment | Define surrounding electrical-noise conditions |
| Installation Route | Indoor, outdoor, duct or other mechanically exposed fixed route |
| Fire Requirement | Define required flame, CPR or circuit-integrity performance separately |
| Documentation | Approved datasheet and project-specific documentation |
Why Choose ETK Kablo for Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable?
ETK Kablo manufactures a broad Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable portfolio for industrial automation, process control and low-voltage signal systems.
The current PVC family includes foil-screened, braid-screened and combined foil-and-braid-screened constructions together with multicore, TP/TT and selected PiMF/TiMF variants.
Class 5 copper conductors support flexible installation, while galvanized steel armor adds mechanical protection around the inner-jacketed signal cable. PVC- and PE-insulated conductor options allow the LIY and LI2Y families to address different electrical requirements within the same SWA architecture.
ETK Kablo can evaluate screening method, core arrangement, conductor size, insulation material, mechanical route and project documentation during quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable
What is a Steel Wire Armored Signal Control Cable?
It is a signal or control cable with galvanized steel wire armor around an inner-jacketed cable core for additional mechanical protection.
What does SWA mean?
SWA means Steel Wire Armor. It describes the galvanized steel mechanical-protection layer in the cable construction.
Does SWA provide electromagnetic shielding?
The steel armor primarily provides mechanical protection. ETK Kablo uses separate Al/PET foil and/or tinned copper braid layers for electromagnetic screening.
What screening options are available?
The current PVC SWA family contains Foil Screened, Braid Screened and Braided Foil Screened constructions.
What is the difference between foil and braid screening?
Foil-screened versions use Al/PET tape with a tinned copper earthing wire. Braid-screened versions use tinned copper braiding. Combined versions use both foil and braid.
What is the difference between SWA and SWB?
SWA uses galvanized steel wire armor, while SWB uses galvanized steel wire braiding as the mechanical layer. Both belong to separate ETK Kablo category families.
What is the difference between LIY and LI2Y constructions?
Current LIY products use PVC conductor insulation, while LI2Y products use solid polyethylene conductor insulation. Both can use PVC inner and outer jackets in this SWA category.
What does TP/TT mean?
TP/TT versions organize the insulated conductors into twisted pairs or triads before the complete cable core is assembled.
What does PiMF/TiMF mean?
PiMF/TiMF identifies individually foil-screened pairs or triads. Each pair or triad receives its own metallic screen before the complete cable is assembled.
What conductor sizes are available?
Current product pages publish sizes from 0.22 mm² to 2.50 mm² across the SWA signal-control family.
Are all Steel Wire Armored signal cables rated 300/500 V?
No. Current ETK Kablo technical tables publish 250 V DC for 0.22–0.34 mm² products and 300/500 V for 0.50–2.50 mm² constructions.
What is the current operating-temperature range?
The current PVC SWA product pages publish an operating range of -30°C to +70°C.
What is the minimum bending radius?
Current published examples specify a minimum bending radius of 7.5xD.
Are these cables flame retardant?
The current PVC SWA product pages reference IEC 60332-1-2 flame-retardancy testing. This does not mean the cables provide defined fire-resistant circuit integrity.
Can Steel Wire Armored signal cable be installed outdoors?
The current product pages describe the PVC jackets as UV resistant. Other environmental conditions should still be evaluated for the exact route.
Can SWA signal cable be directly buried?
Direct-burial suitability depends on the complete cable construction and project environment. Steel armor alone should not be treated as universal confirmation of direct-burial suitability.
Is Steel Wire Armored signal cable the same as instrumentation cable?
No. The application areas can overlap, but ETK Kablo maintains separate signal-control and instrumentation cable families with different product nomenclature and construction options.
What information should I provide when requesting a quotation?
Provide the required screen type, conductor cross-section, multicore/pair/triad configuration, LIY or LI2Y insulation preference, voltage requirement, installation environment, quantity and required project documentation.
