Multicore cable
{{short description|Combines multiple signals into a single jacketed cable}}
File:Multicore cable diagram.jpg
A multicore cable is a type of electrical cable that combines multiple signals or power feeds into a single jacketed cable.{{cite web |url=http://www.customdesignedcable.co.uk/what-is-a-multicore-cable/ |title=What is a Multicore Cable? |website=Custom Designed Cables Ltd |date=28 April 2015 |access-date=9 July 2019}} The term is normally only used in relation to a cable that has more cores than commonly encountered.{{cite web |url=https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-multicore-cable.htm |title=What Is a Multicore Cable? |website=wiseGEEK |publisher=Conjecture Corporation |access-date=9 July 2019}} Not all cables with multiple insulated conductors are called multicore cables{{snd}}the core in multicore refers to the number of usable connections made, not the number of conductors or wires. In most cases, a "usable connection" requires multiple conductors, such as the positive and negative conductors used for DC power.
For example, a standard three-conductor mains cable is never referred to as multicore, but a cable comprising four coaxial cables in a single sheath would be considered multicore. Confusingly, the term multicore is occasionally used to refer to the number of individual conductors rather than the number of connections, especially in Europe.{{cite web |url=https://www.galaxywire.com/applications/multi-conductor-cable/ |title=Multi-Conductor Cable |website=Galaxy Wire & Cable |access-date=9 July 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.xagalaxycable.com/info/the-difference-between-the-sin-1446224.html |title=The Difference Between The Single Core And Multi Core Electric Wire |website=Galaxy Cable |publisher=Xi'an Galaxy Rising Industrial Co., Ltd |date=20 September 2016 |access-date=9 July 2019}} A cable with multiple conductors, but not a multicore cable, is usually called a multi-conductor or multi-wire cable.{{cite web |url=http://www.interfacebus.com/Glossary-of-Terms_M4.html |title=Definitions of Technical Terms - 'Mov' to 'Mz' |website=Electronic Engineering Dictionary |last1=Davis |first1=Larry |date=15 January 2012 |access-date=9 July 2019 |quote=Two or more insulated conductors (solid or stranded) contained in a common covering or jacket}}
Construction
{{see also|Audio multicore cable#Cable construction}}
By definition, multicore cables have an outer sheath which surrounds all of the inner conductors. This is usually in the form of an extruded PVC or cross-linked polyethylene jacket, often combined with an aluminium sheath under the surface for electromagnetic shielding.{{cite book |title=Electric Cables Handbook |url=https://archive.org/details/electriccablesha00ltdb_738 |url-access=limited |edition=3rd |author2=BICC Cables |last1=Moore |first1=George F. |publisher=Blackwell Science |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-632-04075-9 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/electriccablesha00ltdb_738/page/n53 40], 88}} In many applications, this jacket adds significant mechanical protection, making the cable much more rugged. Sometimes each individual connection or channel also has its own jacket to aid mechanical or electromagnetic protection.{{cite web |url=https://www.jaycor.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/JAYCOR-Broadcast-Connectivity-Solutions-2017.pdf |quote=Individual aluminium-mylar screen over each pair; Individual PVC sheath over each screened pair; Nitrile (High Flex) PVC Sheath |title=Broadcast Connectivity Solutions |website=Jaycor International |access-date=5 July 2019}}
Some multicore cables terminate in a multipin connector, often circular. Others split the cores into separate cables at the ends, terminating in a mass of connectors. This type of end is often called a fan or tail.{{cite web |url=http://www.canare.com/UploadedDocuments/Audio%20Snake%20System%20Components.pdf |title=Audio Snake Components |website=Canare |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=9 July 2019}}
Applications
File:Stage-Box-Proel-Ebn-2408 33159-360x480 (4817631274).jpg and accompanying stage box]]
Multicore cables can be used for analog and digital signals as well as power distribution. They are often used to simplify the physical setup of a system and provide a neater connection between two pieces of equipment.{{cite book |last1=Boyce |first1=Teddy |title=Introduction to Live Sound Reinforcement |date=2014 |publisher=Friesen Press |isbn=978-1-4602-3890-5 |edition=1st |page=50}} For example, in sound reinforcement, a multicore cable is often used to connect all the microphones on stage to the mixing console. This is much easier than running many individual cables, which can become messy and time consuming.
Some multicore cables combine different types of connections, such as a siamese cable which typically consists of power and coaxial conductors.{{cite web |url=https://sewelldirect.com/learning-center/what-is-siamese-cable |title=What is Siamese Cable? |publisher=Sewell Development Corporation |last=Crawford |first=Trent |access-date=9 July 2019}} This type of multicore is often advantageous in home wiring as it minimizes the number of cables run through the subfloor or ceiling cavity of a building.{{cite web |url=http://www.customdesignedcable.co.uk/multicore-cable/ |title=Multicore Cable |website=Custom Designed Cables Ltd |access-date=9 July 2019 |quote=used to combine multiple functionalities into a single cable, such as data, power and control enabling faster terminations but also importantly saving time with multiple cable runs as every element is within a single cable}}
Some common applications of multicore cables are:
- In audio engineering multicore cables are often called snake cables, and are used to transmit analog audio signals between equipment {{crossreference|selfref=no|text=(see Audio multicore cable)}}.
- Multicore cables are used with professional video cameras. In television studios, 26-pin cables are used to connect cameras to camera control units.
- In computer networking, multi-pair unshielded twisted pair cables are available, which contain more than four pairs (the number of pairs in a normal Ethernet cable). These cables are also called backbone, bundled, or feeder cables.{{cite book |title=Cabling: The Complete Guide to Network Wiring |edition=3rd }}{{rp|244}}
- Coaxial cables are often joined with power cables for CCTV use, meaning that only one cable has to be run to provide a both video and power connections.
- Twisted pair cables such as Ethernet cables are sometimes combined with fiber-optic cables. A common configuration is a four-pair Category 5 cable with two strands of multimode fiber optic cable.
- The Xbox 360 used a "hybrid cable" to connect the console to either composite or component video inputs.{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360componenthdcable/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601193425/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360componenthdcable/ |title=Xbox 360™ Component HD AV Cable |archive-date=1 June 2009 |access-date=9 July 2019 |publisher=Microsoft}}
File:Xbox360 Hybrid Cable.png carries composite, component and audio signals]]
