Bowden Wiring - Choice of cable?

[pro3d]

I want a simple solution - A multi lead cable that can handle moving around a lot (yes using strain relief)

I am not talking about the heater cable as this is a silicone I will continue to use

I have been through a lot of iterations and currently are running a CAT6 ethernet cable with 8 wires of awg26? or is it 24.. dont remember

The CAT 5 was suggested but as this was not in stock I went with CAT6 and it is just to stiff for my liking - Seems like a accident waiting to happen and I also find the wires one too thin

My previous solution was various 2,3 and 4/5 lead cables of different sizes ranging from awg 26 to awg 20... Not a clean solution

Any good solutions I have missed out there?

[deckingman]

Try a Google search for "drag chain cable", e.g. Igus "chainflex".

[timcurtis67]

If you use Cat5 or 6 cable, make sure it is a patch cable. They have copper strand wires instead of solid strand wires. The solid ones aren't made for flexing around and will break over time.

[dc42]

The flat Cat6 cables seem to be very flexible, but I don't know how well they would last or what current they can take.

Whatever cabling solution you adopt, I recommend you use separate cables for 12V/24V wiring and 3.3V/5V wiring.

[pro3d]

Seperating makes sense. I have found some flexible controller cables I will try for this purpose thanks to @deckingman

Easy when you know what to look for

I ordered some to test in 7 pin AWG23 - I can have one for 12V-24V in one vertical beam and one for 5/3,3 in the other vertical beam

[T3P3Tony]

@pro3d worth ensuring they are in totally separate bundles. @DjDemonD can let you know what happens if there is a short inside the cables

@timcurtis67 I have had reports that even patch cables work harden and cause issues over time. They are designed to move about a bit, but not 1000s of moves a day.

[dragonn]

FFC cable + flat spring , works perfectly and looks nice.

[DjDemonD]

That flat cable looks great.

Network cables are problematic they do work harden and the insulation fails, probably in my case exacerbated by having slightly too tight a bend at one point in the cable, but a short from hotend heater (was using 6 cores for heater) and 5v fan kills 2 duetwifi and 2 paneldue boards. Second one shouldn't have gone, but I presumed the first one was a dropped nut which caused the short and installed a second board. That'll learn me.

[Knaudler]

Igus:
chainflex Steuerleitung CF9.02.07
2,60 - Igus sells to privat customer and good service
you can get a lot of test samples

voelkner/conrad:
UNITRONIC FD CY 7X0,25
ca. 3,-/m
Unitronic FD CP plus 7x0,25
ca. 5,-

[brunofporto]

Look for cables meant for professional audio. They are sturdy, flexible and made to receive bad treatment. You will find at many gauges and wire count.