
The name aircraft cable is derived from the fact that this style of wire rope is and has historically been used for aircraft flight controls. The cables that you would find in your dog run or key chain aren’t of the same quality as those used for flight controls, but the basic elements are similar.
Is it aircraft cable or wire rope?
Wire rope is technically defined as multi-wire strands laid geometrically around a core while also used more generally as a term to classify multiple product families including aircraft cable, coated aircraft cable, general purpose wire rope, strand, rotation resistant wire rope, compacted/swaged wire rope, and cable laid wire rope.
What is aircraft electrical wire?
Electrical wire cables are an integral part of an aircraft’s Electrical Wire Interconnection System (EWIS). It would be difficult to imagine the design of an aircraft electrical system without the use of electrical cables. The use of cables in aircraft has simplified the formation of wire harnesses and installation of electrical components (think of the …
What is an aerial cable?
An aerial cable or air cable is an insulated cable usually containing all conductors required for an electrical distribution system (typically using aerial bundled cables) or a telecommunication line, which is suspended between utility poles or electricity pylons. As aerial cables are completely insulated there is no danger of electric shock when touching them and there is no requirement for mounting them with insulators on pylons and poles.
What is airplane cable?
Airplane cable is used for more than just aircraft applications. It’s strength and flexibility make aircraft braided steel cable perfect for numerous commercial and industrial uses. Stainless steel aircraft cable is typically used in areas where the components are exposed to oxidative chemicals such as salt, and the ability to resist ...

What are aircraft cables?
These cables are essentially specialized high strength wire rope, made to withstand the special environmental circumstances found on an aircraft such as harsh temperatures and moisture. Aircraft cable is also known as galvanized wire rope, and is often made from carbon steel and is drawn galvanized.
What is the difference between aircraft cable and regular cable?
As a general rule, Aircraft Cable is 3/8" and smaller, in 7x7 and 7x19 constructions. Aircraft Cables have a wire core in the same construction as the outer strands. Wire rope tends to be sizes larger than 3/8"--and in constructions other then the former: 6x19, 6x25, 6x36, 6x42, etc.
What are aircraft cables used for?
Aircraft cables are stranded wires that are used in a wide variety of applications on or around aircraft. They are used as harnesses for electrical wiring as well as tie-downs, stabilizers, safety fasteners, and for many other purposes.
What is 7x7 aircraft cable?
7X7 strand cable is more flexible than 1X19 but less flexible than 7X19. This type of cable is generally used for aircraft controls, running rigging on sailboats, exercise equipment, winches and garage doors and other wide range of mechanical applications.
What is the strongest cable?
Dyneema is the world's strongest fiber producing ropes that are 15 times stronger than steel wire ropes of the same weight and has become one the most trusted fiber ropes over generic HMPE ropes and steel cable wire ropes for all rigging, maritime, mooring, and towing rope applications.
How strong is aircraft cable?
Aircraft cable sizes range from 1/32" to 3/8", with breaking strengths (tensile strengths) ranging from 120 pounds to 14,400 pounds.
What is aircraft cable made of?
Commercial quality "aircraft grade" cable is made from galvanized steel wire or stainless steel wire. Galvanized aircraft cable provides high tensile strength and adequate corrosion resistance for most commercial applications.
How long does aircraft cable last?
Since the labor to remove, install, and rig aircraft cables is generally higher than the cost of the cable itself, it generally makes sense just to replace your control cables on a regular basis, such as every 15 years.
Why is aircraft wire stranded?
Because of in-flight vibration and flexing, conductor round wire should be stranded to minimize fatigue breakage.
Which is stronger 7x7 or 7x19 wire rope?
In general, the higher wire count of a 7x19 typically makes it a better choice for winches, garage doors, and other applications that require tighter and more frequent turns, while the rigidity of a 7x7 makes it a good choice for automotive and aircraft controls.
How much weight can a 1/8 cable hold?
Put me on the waiting listCable DiameterBreaking StrengthWorking Load Limit (5:1) Design Factor1/8"2,000 lbs400 lbs3/16"4,200 lbs840 lbs1/4"7,000 lbs1,400 lbs5/16"9,800 lbs1,960 lbs2 more rows
How much weight can a 1/16 cable hold?
Breaking strength is 480 lbs and working load limit is 96 lbs. Cable weighs 0.008 pounds per foot and adheres to federal specification....Put me on the waiting list.Cable DiameterBreaking StrengthWorking Load Limit (5:1) Design Factor1/16"480 lbs96 lbs
What is aircraft grade wire rope?
Commercial quality "aircraft grade" cable is made from galvanized steel wire or stainless steel wire. Galvanized aircraft cable provides high tensile strength and adequate corrosion resistance for most commercial applications.
What is the difference between wire rope and rope?
Wire ropes are usually ⅜” in diameter or larger, while cables or cords are smaller. Though this little distinction exists in aircraft and marine cables, wire ropes and cables are synonymous in most other ways. A strand is made up of two or more wires twisted around a center wire.
What are the insulating materials used in aircraft wiring?
The insulating materials for aircraft wiring are almost always organic. The exceptions would be where fiber glass is used along with a polymer, e.g., with Poly (vinyl chloride) and silicon rubber. However, their usage is relatively limited currently in most aircraft.
What is aircraft rigging?
Rigging is the proper installation of airframe components (wings, ailerons and tail surfaces) designed to do a specific aerodynamic job and contribute to the aircraft's overall performance, stability and safety.
What is the core of a wire rope?
The core is typically composed of fibre core (FC) or steel wire core, called independent wire rope core (IWRC). The steel core increases strength by 7% and the weight by 10%, which provides more support to the outer strands than fibre cores. Steel cores resist crushing and are more resistant to heat.
Do airplane cables live in harsh environments?
As well, on some aircraft’s, the cable remains in one static position around pulley bends for extended periods of time. You should always ensure ALL of your rigging gear is inspected on it’s recommended timeline—But it’s especially important when you know the equipment is being exposed to harsh environments.
How many strands of wire are in an aircraft cable?
It consists of thin steel wires that have been stranded together (usually between 8 and 28 strands altogether), giving the cable a fantastic blend of flexibility and strength.
What is stainless steel cable used for?
Stainless steel aircraft cable is recommended for several uses with boats and docking, from securing boats to hoisting them out of the water. It is also useful for sailboat rigging, fishing boats, etc.
What is the best cable for live theater?
Most live theaters are equipped with a series of rigging to open, close and lift heavy curtains, move backdrops, suspend, raise and lower lighting, and so on. Galvanized aircraft cable is perfect for most of these applications.
Why use stainless steel cable?
Stainless steel aircraft cable is typically used in more strenuous applications because of its ability to withstand harsher temperatures and its resistance to corrosion.
Is galvanized steel cable good for aircraft?
Galvanized steel cable is more affordable and nearly as strong, but it’s recommended for milder environments. Here are eight of the more common uses for aircraft cable:
Who owns Veritable Aviation?
At Veritable Aviation, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we can help you find all the aircraft cable parts for the aerospace, civil aviation, and defense industries. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at [email protected] or call us at +1 503-374-0340.
Why use Ethernet cables?
Ethernet cables are used for local area network (LAN) applications and data transmission aboard aircraft.
How does fiber optic communication work?
Fiber optic communication transmit information from one place to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber that is marginally thicker than a strand of human hair. Hundreds of thousands of optical fibers are arranged in bundles in optical cables. These cables are protected by an outer layer called a jacket. Fiber optic cables can carry much more information in less time over longer distances than regular copper wire. Bandwidth, the amount of data that can be distributed in a fixed amount of time, is often used as a measure of efficiency for cables. Fiber optics are popular due to their large bandwidth.
