Control cables

Control cable carries command, interlock, alarm and auxiliary signals between field equipment, panels and control systems. It usually contains multiple identified conductors sized for control rather than main power, although some cable families combine power and control functions. Selection depends on circuit voltage, current, signal sensitivity, core count, movement, screening, installation method and environment. A generic multicore flexible cable is not automatically suitable for every control system, and control cable should not be confused with industrial Ethernet or a protocol-specific data cable.

Typical uses include contactor and relay circuits, limit switches, solenoids, crane pendant and travel controls, alarm loops, skid wiring, marine machinery controls and auxiliary circuits on moving equipment. Fixed cables in a tray face different stresses from flat cables bending continuously in a festoon. A low-level analogue measurement may need a paired or triad instrumentation construction, while discrete control contacts may use multicore arrangements. Keeping these functions clear avoids overspecifying one circuit and underprotecting another.

TEBAOFLEX's Control Cable range includes several product families. IEEE 1580 Type P covers marine and offshore power, control, instrumentation and dedicated VFD constructions rated 2 kV or below, with the exact function and voltage determined by model. NEK 606 BFOU/RFOU includes fixed offshore control and other cable constructions; RFOU is the flame-retardant family, while BFOU adds a fire barrier for designated critical circuits. Other products include NGFLGOU 300/500 V flat festoon cable and individually screened NGFLCGOU flat festoon cable for repeated one-plane bending. These families serve marine/offshore fixed-control and moving festoon applications; they do not represent a fieldbus, PROFINET, EtherCAT or servo-feedback product line.

Begin with the circuit schedule. State operating and maximum voltage, signal type, current, number of conductors, spare-core policy, conductor size, voltage-drop limit and protective-conductor needs. Determine whether circuits can share a cable under the applicable system and installation rules. Core numbering, colour identification and terminal scheme should be agreed before ordering, especially for high core counts or packaged equipment built for a specific project.

Screening should follow the electromagnetic environment and signal function. Motors, VFD output cables, contactors, welding equipment and long parallel power runs can couple noise into control circuits. NGFLCGOU uses individually screened cores in a flat construction, while the Type P and NEK families offer screened control or instrumentation configurations by model. Specify the screen arrangement, coverage or construction and a termination plan. Screen bonding, cable routing, separation, gland choice and panel earthing all affect system behaviour; a shielded cable alone cannot guarantee a noise-free control loop.

Mechanical selection starts by classifying the route as fixed, occasionally flexed or continuously moving. The flat NGFLGOU and NGFLCGOU families are designed for festoon systems and one-plane bending. Their core count, size, dimensions, bend radius, travel speed and tensile load are model-specific. For a festoon RFQ, provide loop depth, trolley and saddle dimensions, travel distance, speed, acceleration and cycles. For a fixed Type P or NEK cable, provide tray, conduit, gland, armour and pulling requirements instead. Use a fixed offshore construction in a moving route only when its published data covers that duty.

Environmental and fire requirements can be decisive. Offshore installations may require halogen-free sheaths, flame propagation limits, fire resistance for emergency circuits, mud resistance or specific armour. Festoon cables may face oil, sunlight, ozone, moisture, abrasion and temperature cycling. NEK 606 listings distinguish SHF2 halogen-free outer sheaths on common constructions and BFOU fire-resistant from RFOU flame-retardant families. These properties are construction-specific, so state the required fire test, cable designation and document scope in the enquiry.

Standards should reflect the installation, not be added after cable selection. IEEE 1580 Type P and NEK 606 address marine/offshore cable contexts, while NGFLGOU and NGFLCGOU are associated with VDE/DIN families. State whether the project needs a standard-based construction, third-party approval, class documentation or only specified technical performance. Within each family, approval, armour, voltage and fire performance still vary by construction.

For an RFQ, provide the equipment and control-system context, circuit list, voltage and current, conductor size, core count and spares, shield arrangement, grounding/termination plan, fixed or moving duty, bend radius and motion data, cable route and length, armour or mechanical protection, oil/water/UV/temperature exposure, fire and halogen requirements, governing standard, required approval documents, sheath marking, drum lengths, destination and quantity.

For replacement enquiries, include the installed cable marking, core identification and termination method so the new cable can be matched to the same circuit and movement duty.

Products in this range serve distinct roles, for example Type P or BFOU/RFOU for marine and offshore fixed installations, and NGFLGOU or NGFLCGOU for flat festoon movement. Choose the exact construction and documentary scope against the control circuit and project specification.