Shielded Cabeling

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Question for the self build types like myself what are you using for a shielded cable for motor control and accessory hookup?

This is cable tray / spark rated:

https://www.showmecables.com/20-awg-shi ... tray-cable

[acourtjester]

I prefer to use 18 Ga cable for the motors
https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-FEET-18-4-A ... 1438.l2649

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Thanks for the reply, I should have been more specific the Teknic Clearpath servos require a 2 conductor 14/16 ga power lead and a separate 8/22 control cable that should be shielded. In my research I found that some Cat 5&6E have a shield. All are riser rated and very flexible.

[acourtjester]

I use similar Cat 6 cable for the signals from the home/limit, floating head switch and ohmic sensor. I like using these for connection to the controller panel to the BOB I cut the one end off and connect it to the BOB
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RJ45-CAT6-Male ... uDNqDeETvA
The only problem is they don't the standard color code so you need to ohm out the paths to make the right connections.
faster delivery
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cat6-RJ45-M-F- ... iHjRaW9ohw

[robertspark]

look for STP ethernet cable (shielded twisted pair) if you want to buy it on the roll it will have a foil shielding and sometimes an extra bear metal shielding core ( if you get cat 6 cable

UTP = unshielded twisted pair

another tip... if you are using rj45 connectors.... buy a pack of through connectors.. sometimes branded as an EZ connector

[SegoMan DeSigns]

The options abound and of coarse the clear path motors has a 8 slot rectangular Molex plug. so do you do one end to the plug the jester posted and use a molded end cat cable (which would make swap out for testing easy) or just hard wire it directly to the Molex. They also do a RJ45 BOB if anyone has a use for them.

[EverydayDiesel]

what controller are you using for the teknic servos?

[SegoMan DeSigns]

I went with the Masso, from Hind Technology of Australia. I am working on the THC as I type (internet break from micro-soldering LoL). After the fact on cabling// I found the perfect controller cable. Cat 7 w/ nylon braided jacket.. Super flexible with shielded cable / connectors just install some rj45's jacks where needed to allow for a quick swap out..

[EverydayDiesel]

A rather silly question that i THINK i know the answer to but maybe not.

The feed (power and ground) wire for the servos do not need to be shielded because it is analog DC right? Only the signals which are digital need to be shielded and twisted pairs. I have seen some people use the same wire for signal and power and I cant help to think this 'could' be problematic.

Do you need to shield the power wires feeding the motor/servos?

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Sorry I missed this ,

The 75V power cables do not need to be shielded, I used some 14/2 to feed the gantry run and split it at the first motor to feed the second one According to Teknics you do not need shielded control cables as they are opto isolated . I did it to protect the controller, which may or may not need it when used with a Hypertherm Plasma unit.