Custom cables are specifically designed cables and assemblies made for unique, set purposes and requirements. Whilst this appears to be incredibly niche, you may be surprised to know that custom cables are found everywhere, and relied upon by almost every industry imaginable.
But custom cables don’t just mean custom cable design. Cable manufacturers look into the bespoke needs and requirements of their clients and problem areas specific to their industry generating a fast turnaround for all aspects of custom cables, including cable construction and cable enhancements.
From creating bespoke braided cables for protection against electromagnetic interference to multicore cables for transmitting multiple signals or data streams within a single cable, custom cables bridge a unique gap that provides solutions to the needs of any industry.
Whether you require custom wire insulation for protection against external conditions, or cable extrusion to aid in cable flexibility and temperature performance, continue reading as we discuss how ten different industries rely on custom cables for their bespoke design, accuracy, durability, optimum performance and more.
What are the benefits of custom cables?
Custom cables have a whole host of benefits, so it is no surprise that many industries depend on them. These benefits include:
1. Accuracy
Custom cable designs and assemblies are made to ensure a precise fit and function for their intended application. This ensures that, when used, there is a minimised risk of errors and malfunctions.
2. Flexibility
Custom cables are tailored to exact specifications, allowing for complete flexibility in design and application. This is ideal for accommodating unique project requirements that couldn’t be achieved with generic, mass-produced cables.
3. Quality
Custom cables and assemblies often result in higher-quality products that meet more stringent standards and specifications – making them more reliable and durable.
4. Best performance
Custom cables are designed to deliver optimal performance, enhancing the overall efficiency of their unique applications and electronic systems.
5. Time-saving
Custom cables – tailored to create unique solutions for streamlining the installation process and electronic applications – save a considerable amount of time during assembly. This in turn reduces the overall set-up and production timeline.
6. Ease of setup
Custom cables, and custom cable assemblies, are designed to seamlessly integrate into existing electronic systems – providing a hassle-free, easy setup experience.
7. Minimum waste and weight
Custom cables are designed to meet specifications set by the client, which in turn minimises material waste and reduces the overall weight – compared to generic, mass-produced cables. This not only betters the user experience but also contributes to sustainability efforts.
8. Price to quality ratio
Custom cable solutions, whilst often coming with higher initial costs, host a variety of short and long-term benefits (such as those above), which justify the investment through improved performance and durability.
10 industries that rely on custom cables
As technology continues to advance and develop, industries that traditionally would’ve used standard, mass-produced cables are now relying on custom-designed cables to meet their various unique and complex needs and requirements. But which industries most commonly rely on custom cables?
1. Telecommunications
The telecommunications industry has a large number of the population that depends on it, and it, in turn, widely depends on the use of custom cables. Laptops, smartphones, and other ‘connected’ devices rely on Wi-Fi, mobile data, and telecom connections; without such, they are often rendered useless.
Both wireless connections, such as 4G, and wired connections, like Ethernet and fibre optic, depend on custom cables to aid the transmission of data, accurately and quickly. When standard patch cables cannot do the job, cable technicians find custom cables paramount for meeting critical network needs.
2. Medical and healthcare
Whilst the medical and healthcare industry is vast, custom cables are crucial to the streamlined efficiency it depends on. From medical record systems to high-tech medical machinery, custom cables are everywhere.
With infection control as one of the highest priorities in any medical setting, equipment, tools and machinery require sterilising frequently – in hot and humid conditions. Custom cables in settings such as hospitals have stringent specifications that require them to be able to withstand extreme temperatures and exposure to moisture, without tampering with the strength of electrical wires and conductors.
3. Military and defence
The military and defence industry relies on two core factors – communication and confidentiality – surcharged by the responsibility of providing security for and protecting the general public.
Therefore, it is no surprise that they rely on custom cables to provide closed, confidential communication – along with powering overseas military bases and units in the field; especially those enduring harsh weather conditions with critical performance requirements.
4. Automotive
Within the automotive industry, the assembling of a vehicle requires conscious effort and expertise, and the perfect combination of the correct wires and cables in the right places. For the most accurate, streamlined production, the industry largely relies on custom cables and custom cable assemblies.
However, as the automotive industry moves towards a fully electric future, these requirements dramatically increase – to connect an entire car to its full potential and optimal performance.
5. Utility
The utility industry is responsible for providing the entire population with the use of electricity and other power sources. These connections need to remain intact for effective performance at all times – powering homes, hospitals, emergency services, businesses and more.
Therefore, the utility industry depends on custom cables to perform all specialised functions and effectively transmit power to all.
6. Aerospace
When you look at an aeroplane, you often pay more attention to its physical shell, rather than consider all the wires, cables and mechanisms that go on inside. Wiring an aeroplane is incredibly complex, and the length of the wires can take up a considerable amount of space and pose a large problem.
Therefore, the aerospace industry depends on custom cables to provide the optimum performance for flight and the space-saving capabilities necessary in all modern aeroplanes.
7. Entertainment
The entertainment industry requires cables for its entire function – from professional lighting, motion picture, broadcast and rigging cables to connectors for power and data. However, to seamlessly integrate these cables for streamlined functionality and optimal performance the entertainment industry depends on custom cables to fit these requirements.
Furthermore, have you ever wondered how you never see cables in the back of a film or TV set? Custom cables can also be commissioned to be specifically designed to be disguised on set – providing a more realistic appearance.
8. Appliances and electronics
In the electronics industry, and specifically found in manufacturing appliances and electronic gadgets, there is far more that goes into the production than styling and cost. The functionality of all electronic devices depends on the intricate wires and cables underneath the exterior.
Though, the use of bespoke custom cables and custom cable assemblies allows for them to be expertly hidden to provide efficient and practical usage, whilst at the same time remaining compact and user-friendly.
9. Manufacturing
For wider-scale manufacturing, using large machinery and hydraulics along any production line, cables are relied upon to transmit power and signals. These cables need to be extremely durable, made to specific lengths and specifications, and able to withstand hot and humid conditions.
As such, the manufacturing industry turns to custom cables to meet strict specifications, including health and safety requirements, for the optimal performance and accuracy needed.
10. Commercial
In the commercial industry, such as in retail and warehouses holding stock, cables are required to connect complex sensor and scanner systems. This includes a wide variety of devices and equipment, such as point-of-sale scanners, barcode scanners and automated kiosks.
Custom cables are used in these circumstances, to manufacture these devices, connect them to wider systems and collect the data they receive electronically. These custom cables provide higher-quality systems and more streamlined operations – which is especially important in fast environments, like supermarkets and large stock warehouses.
For more information on how custom cables can benefit your business needs, contact our expert team today, or find more resources on our blog.
