Who would have thought the world Isaac Asimov talked of would be closer than ever? Though we don’t have the robots replacing us in everything we do, even finishing our daily chores at home and being our servants as in Hanna-Barbera’s Jetsons, we surely rely on technology more than we’ll ever admit. Can you go a day without the use of your mobile phone, laptop or iPad? For some people it seems more of a mission impossible because they can’t imagine not being in the company of their beloved devices, whereas for those who have their business depend on technology it’s an essential component of the overall success. Choosing the adequate technological equipment is important so every little bit of it matters equally.

This brings us to the importance of cables. You might be tempted to pay more attention to the choice of different kinds of gadgets and machinery, however, their proper functioning isn’t possible if not for the adequate cables. As electronics are getting more complex, so are the cables, and if you don’t do the right choice when picking the suitable cable you might end up with not only wiring failure but equipment failure as well. Unless you want to be in a situation of having to replace expensive machinery often, it’s advisable that you get more knowledge about the different cables there are. As you’ll read further in the article, you’ll see the distinction between a solid and flexible cable that can help you make a wise choice.

There are plenty of flexible cable models you’ll come across and they are widely used in both commercial and residential installations. They consist of a number of wires put together in a cohesive bunch that can be either bunched or twisted. As you might as well guess from their name, these cables are made to be flexible and withstand bending, in moving applications in particular such as cable carriers. This kind of wiring is the ideal choice for connecting electronics where the degree of flexibility is crucial which means their strength to endure motion and reshaping is more than important. Their design is made to isolate noise and vibration so they aren’t transmitted throughout the whole electrical system. The uses are many, from finding their place in portable lamps, appliances and fixtures, to lifts and cranes, it’s all thanks to the flexible properties.

Unlike with flexible ones, solid cables consist of a single metal core – just one strand of wire. This makes them resistant to damages but it doesn’t make them easy to bend so you shouldn’t really consider using them with robotics or applications where movement is a must. Because of the way they are made, their production is easier so the price is lower than that of flexible cables but when durability is in question, solid cables don’t last long where a great deal of motion is required. One plus of this choice is it is better suited for high-temperature applications than the flexible. Make sure you know your applications well before you set out to your cable purchase so you avoid damages.