Electrical Components
Industrial cable, connectors, terminal blocks, cable glands, enclosures and panel accessories for control panels, machine wiring and plant distribution. Bought by panel builders, machine builders and factory electrical maintenance.
Three numbers do most of the specifying: conductor cross-section in mm², insulation and sheath material, and IP rating where the component is exposed. Cross-section follows current and run length together — a cable sized only on current will still drop unacceptable voltage over a long run, and undersized cable on a motor circuit shows up as a motor that runs hot for no apparent reason. IEC 60228 defines the conductor classes, which is what tells you whether a 2.5 mm² cable is stranded finely enough to flex in a drag chain or is a solid conductor meant to be installed once.
IP ratings under IEC 60529 are two digits: solids then liquids. IP54 keeps dust and splashing out; IP65 is dust-tight and withstands a jet. In a machine shop, IP54 on a panel is the practical minimum and IP65 on anything at floor level.
Sourced to order. Send current, run length, environment and whether the cable flexes in service.
Lines in this category
- Multicore control cable
- Flexible and drag-chain cable
- Screened cable for VFD and encoder runs
- Terminal blocks and DIN rail
- Cable glands and conduit
- Industrial connectors
- Enclosures and panel accessories
- Cable markers and ferrules
Subcategories
Products
How to choose
Size the conductor on current and run length together, then check the resulting voltage drop rather than assuming the current rating settles it. Then the conductor class from IEC 60228 — a fine-stranded class 5 or 6 for anything that flexes, solid or class 2 for fixed installation, and never a solid conductor in a drag chain. Then insulation and sheath against oil, heat and UV. Then IP rating on anything exposed, remembering that a correctly rated enclosure with the wrong gland is not rated at all.
Frequently asked
What does IP54 versus IP65 actually mean?
Two digits: solids then liquids. IP54 is dust-protected and withstands splashing; IP65 is dust-tight and withstands a water jet. For a workshop panel IP54 is the practical minimum; use IP65 for anything at floor level or exposed to washdown.
Which cable for a drag chain?
A fine-stranded flexible cable to IEC 60228 class 5 or 6, with a sheath rated for the flex cycles and the oil it will meet. Standard fixed-installation cable will work-harden and break internally, and the fault is intermittent and painful to find.
Do I need screened cable for a VFD?
Yes, for the motor run — an unscreened motor cable on an inverter drive radiates interference that upsets encoders, sensors and anything sharing a trunk. Terminate the screen at both ends, at 360 degrees, or most of the benefit is lost.