Ribbon cables are flat, flexible electronic wiring used in early computers and to connect devices. They consist of smaller insulated wires tied together and color-coded for identification. Ribbon cables simplify installation and repair, but have largely been replaced by smaller, more rounded cables. They use insulation displacement connectors and come in different sizes and connectors. Modern electronics use sealed round cables instead.
A ribbon cable, also sometimes called a multistrand planar cable, is a type of electronic wiring characterized by its flat, flexible appearance. In many cases it resembles the type of ribbon used in gift wrapping, hence its name. This type of flex cable was used extensively in some early computer models, both as a means of internal wiring and as a way to connect the machines to other devices, especially printers. The body of the cable or the “tape” itself is usually made up of much smaller insulated wires that are tied together to form a long, flat surface. Threads are often color-coded in terms of their primary function, and manufacturers usually also indicate direction by making the top or uppermost thread a distinctive color, usually red, so users are able to quickly identify which direction it is. top and which is bottom, for example. In most cases cables run through a series of conductors and connectors and come in different sizes depending on their primary use. When first introduced, ribbon cables were widely considered the industry standard. As technology has evolved, however, so has the technology of wiring harnesses and these pieces have largely been replaced by smaller, more rounded cables for indoor and outdoor uses.
Main uses
The ribbon cabling style was first introduced as a way to facilitate electromagnetic processing within early computer mainframes, but smaller versions can be found in a variety of small electronic devices. The main idea with a ribbon-shaped cable is to join a number of important wires and connect them as one, a concept that in many ways has simplified the manufacture and repair of electronics. Bundled cables are often easier to install and reconnect.
Less frequently these cables were also used outside of machines, often as a way to connect one piece to another. They were among the first to connect the first computers to printers, for example. While not normally used for power, almost any message that needs to be communicated between devices can be transferred over their wires very effectively.
Security considerations and color coding
In a ribbon cable, each wire, more formally known as a conductor, is used to connect two matching contacts. It is very important, therefore, that the correct wire is attached to each end. Manufacturers have introduced a color coding system to simplify this process and help prevent incorrect contact connection. Most cables have a red band on one end, for example, which helps users and technicians identify which end is the top or bottom. In another type, each thread is colored differently so that it can be easily identified; this variety is sometimes known as “hippie cable.”
Contacts and Conductors
Ribbon cables are distinguished by the number of conductors and the space between them. In the most common size, conductors are typically spaced 0.05 inch (1.27 mm) apart; this allows for a connector with two rows and a pin spacing of 0.1 inch (2.54 mm). This tape formation is used most often for enclosed spaces. Cables can have as few as four connectors or as many as 80.
The connecting ends of the wires are forced into a row of contacts in the electronics through the wire ends. The connectors at the end of a ribbon cable are known as insulation displacement connectors. Most cables have an insulation displacement connector at both ends.
Understand connectors
There are five basic connectors used in most electronic devices. The BT224 is the most common and typically used in computers. The PCB transition headers have the same configuration as the BT224, but include a second row, while the BT224 has only one. D-subminiature connectors are found on the printer ports; while most European computers and printers use the DIN41612 connector. DIL headers are commonly used for external connections.
More modern equivalents
It’s relatively rare to see ribbon cables on modern electronics—that is, electronics manufactured since about 2000. In smaller machines the flat surface is often thought to block airflow and create static, for example, and they can be bulky and awkward to work with. In most places they have been replaced by sealed round cables that perform the same basic function, just with a more streamlined and compact shape.
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