Leading manufacturer of custom data cables
At Custom Designed Cables, we design and manufacture custom data cables for networking, telecommunications, industrial and specialist electronic applications. With over 20 years of cable manufacturing expertise, we develop bespoke data cables from scratch, and modify and enhance standard constructions, so that every cable meets your exact electrical, mechanical and environmental requirements.
Data cables are essential for transmitting electronic information between devices and systems. They’re widely used in computer networks, telecommunications infrastructure, industrial automation, security systems and many other applications where reliable data transmission is critical. Standard data cables work well for many of these uses, but when an application demands something different, a bespoke data cable is often the better solution.
Bespoke data cables, made to your specification
Rather than selling off-the-shelf data cables, we build cables around your application. Our engineering team can help in two ways:
Completely bespoke data cables
We design and manufacture data cables from scratch for less common or more complex applications and environments, using a wide range of conductor types, insulation materials, screening configurations and jacket materials.
Modified and enhanced standard constructions
If a standard data cable almost meets your needs, we can adapt it. This might mean changing the screening for better EMI protection, using a different jacket material such as Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH), ruggedising the construction for continuous movement or demanding environments, or adjusting the conductors, colours and overall build for your application.
Whether you need a prototype, a modification to an existing design or full production volumes, we’ll work with you to develop a data cable that performs exactly as required.
Standard data cable types we work with
Most data cables are based on one of three established technologies. We manufacture all three, and use them as the starting point for both modified and fully bespoke designs.
Coaxial data cables (RG/URM types)
Coaxial cables carry radio frequency (RF) signals and are used in applications such as CCTV and video transmission, broadband, satellite television and radio communications. They consist of an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating layer and an outer cylindrical conductor, which gives excellent resistance to signal interference and supports high-frequency transmission. We can vary the frequency capability, attenuation, flexibility and mechanical strength, and manufacture composite constructions with multiple screening layers where extra protection against interference is needed.
Fibre optic data cables
Fibre optic cables transmit data as pulses of light, allowing very high-speed transmission over long distances with very low attenuation and immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI). They’re used in telecommunications, data centres, medical equipment, industrial instrumentation and military and aerospace systems. Both single-mode (core size typically 8–10 microns, used for long distances) and multimode (core size 50–62.5 microns, suited to short distances such as data centres) constructions are available. As standard fibre is relatively fragile, ruggedised constructions can be manufactured where movement or demanding environments are involved.
LAN (Local Area Network) cables
LAN cables support high-speed communication between devices on Ethernet networks, such as computers, switches, routers, servers and industrial networking equipment. Common categories include Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a and Cat 7. Depending on the level of electromagnetic interference in your installation, they can be manufactured with different screening configurations, including UTP, STP, FTP and SFTP, and with specialist cable jacket materials such as LSZH.
Applications for bespoke data cables
Our custom data cables are manufactured for a wide variety of industries and applications, including:
- Computer networking
- Telecommunications
- Data centres
- Industrial automation
- CCTV and security systems
- Broadband infrastructure
- Broadcast and media systems
- Medical equipment
- Military and defence applications
- Aerospace systems
- Instrumentation and control systems
Whether you require a standard cable construction or a completely bespoke data cable designed around your application’s performance requirements, our engineering team can help.
Why choose Custom Designed Cables?
Over the years, we have designed and manufactured a wide range of bespoke data cables using coaxial, fibre optic and LAN cable technologies.
Our excellent customer service and fast turnaround times are the cornerstone of the service we provide. We maintain constant communication with our clients throughout every project to ensure products are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards, even when working to challenging deadlines.
When you choose Custom Designed Cables, you benefit from:
- Over 20 years of cable manufacturing expertise
- Bespoke data cable design and manufacture
- Full adherence to applicable cable industry standards
- Access to a comprehensive material and component library
- Free technical consultation and advice
- Fast turnaround times
- High-quality UK manufacturing
- Dedicated customer service throughout your project
Whether you require prototype development, modifications to an existing design or full production volumes, we can manufacture custom data cables tailored to your exact requirements.
Frequently asked questions about data cables
What is a data cable?
A data cable is used to transmit electronic information between devices, equipment or networks. Data cables are essential in computer networking, telecommunications, industrial automation, security systems and many other applications where reliable data transfer is required.
What are bespoke data cables?
Bespoke data cables are custom-designed cables manufactured to meet specific electrical, mechanical, environmental or regulatory compliance requirements. At Custom Designed Cables, we design bespoke data cables using a wide range of conductor types, insulation materials, screening configurations and jacket materials to suit each application.
Can you modify a standard data cable?
Yes. If a standard coaxial, fibre optic or LAN cable doesn’t quite meet your requirements, we can modify and enhance the construction, for example by changing the screening, jacket material, conductors or overall build. We can also design a completely new data cable from scratch if no standard construction is suitable.
What are the main types of data cables?
The three main categories of data cables are coaxial cables, fibre optic cables and LAN (Ethernet) cables. Coaxial cables carry radio frequency signals and are commonly used in TV, radio and CCTV applications. LAN cables connect devices such as computers, routers and switches within a local network, offering fast, low-latency data transfer, although devices must remain connected to the cable. Fibre optic cables transmit data as light, offering very high bandwidth and immunity to EMI, but can require specialist installation due to their fragility. If you need help choosing the right cable, get in touch with our sales team and we can advise you.
What is a LAN cable used for?
LAN data cables were developed to provide high speed data transfer rates. They’re primarily used to connect devices like computers, routers and switches within a local area network for communication and sharing data.
There are many advantages to LAN data cables, including incredibly fast and reliable data transfer and low latency. However, they offer limited mobility as the devices must stay connected to the data transfer cable.
What screening options are available for LAN cables?
LAN cables are commonly available as UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), STP (Shielded Twisted Pair, where each pair has its own aluminium foil shield), FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair, with a collective aluminium foil screen around all pairs, similar to many control cables) and SFTP (Shielded Foiled Twisted Pair, combining a collective foil screen with an overall tinned copper braid). The appropriate screening configuration depends on the level of electromagnetic interference present within the installation and the performance requirements of the network.
What’s the difference between fibre optic and copper data cables?
Fibre optic cables transmit data using light, allowing higher bandwidth, lower attenuation and immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Copper data cables transmit electrical signals and remain a cost-effective solution for many networking and communication applications.
Get a quote for your data cables
Contact us today to discuss your project and request a quote.
