The pathway where cables pass through during construction is normally marred with noise and the likelihood of a cable getting weak is quite apparent. This can be a great let down and a costly experience to go through. That is why you need to clearly understand the kind of cable you need to match your needs with and one that will stand the test of time. If you are looking for a cable that combines both noise protection and flexibility then you are at the right place. The cable you need to for is type PLTC/ITC cables.

 Abbreviated as PLTC/ ITC, Power Limited Tray Cables are often used in circuits that have limited power for the purposes of industrial control and energy management systems. They are also used in audio, alarm and intercom applications. There are various types PLTC cables and regardless of the conductor count, jacket, gauge size, rating, armor or insulation, you will not miss a cable that clearly defines your needs at Nassau Electrical Supply. Among the different types of PLTC cables from Nassau Electrical is the Belden 22 AWG 300V PLTC Individually Beldfoil Shielded Pairs Cable. The cable has a left hand lay overall cabling lay length and direction. We have clearly outlined all there is to know about this cable;

Features and benefits
This cable has great jacket options that provide excellent resistance to extreme temperatures, outdoor sunlight/UV, oil and flame. The options for insulation are also excellent for oil and chemical resistance, extreme temperature flexibility and wet electrical performance. The conductor options for this cable have as well been uniquely engineered to offer increased flexibility, corrosion resistance and greater flex life. With the outstanding features of this cable, you can be sure to save on material, maintenance and labor with cables rated for exposed uns. Therefore there will be no need for conduit. With this cable you can be assured of flexible installation connections with all the required ratings. Belden 22 AWG 300V PLTC offers superior electrical performance coupled with long runs in different environments.

Construction;
This cable comprises of;

1.Conductor
2.Insulation
3.Inner shield
4.Outer jacket

Conductor : The conductor is the most important part of a cable as it transmits electric current from one point to another. As such the material constituting the conductor needs to be the best. This cable uses tinned copper as its conductor. Copper is known for its high electric conductivity as well as thermal conductivity. It also enables the cable to bend and easily be cut in accordance to the needs and wants of the user. The tinned copper material also enables the cable to be highly flexible, a feature that is highly sort after in electric cables. Tinned copper is very durable and will continue to perform excellently even after long periods of exposure in harsh temperatures. Tinned copper is also ideal for use in areas with high moisture and humidity as it possess anti- corrosion properties.

Insulation : The insulating material works as a protector to the conductor. It ensures the details of the conductor are not in any way damaged. The 22 AWG 300V PLTC cable has a PVC insulation. PVC or polyvinyl chloride has excellent mechanical strength, is very tough and has great resistance to abrasion. Belden 22 AWG 300V PLTC cable can be used for both outdoor and indoor application. Outdoor applications call for cables that have great chemical and mechanical properties. Polyvinyl chloride is resistant to chemical rotting, weathering, corrosion, abrasion and weathering. These unique features make the cable to have a long life span.

PVC is a widely used insulation material in the electrical world because of its ease of use and resistance to fire. You can thus rest assured that even in the case of a power surge, this cable can still remain intact. However, note that when exposed to fire, the PVC will burn. The insulation is also self- extinguishing in the event the source of ignition is withdrawn. The diameter of the PVC of this cable measures 1.575 mm.

Inner shield : The inner shield from Beldfoil is a kind of tape that has been made of Aluminum foil- polyester tape. Aluminum foil polyester tape is often used in places where heat and light reflectance, thermal conductivity, moisture and chemical resistance and flame resistance is required. This tape provides resistance to various weather conditions. The tape is also Ultra violet resistant. All these features coupled together with the features of the insulation material work to protect the conductor at the same time adequately meeting the expectations of the user.

Inner shield drain wire AWG  :This multi- conductor cable has a 22 AWG stranding of 7 by 30. Stranded conductors are always preferred to solid conductors as they are more flexible. To add to the flexibility, this cable has been constructed using TC- tinned copper which as we have already seen, has quite a number of benefits.

Outer jacket  : The outer jacket holds the conductor, insulation and inner shield in place. Just like the insulation material, this is also made of PVC- polyvinyl chloride so as to provide excellent mechanical and chemical resistance. The nominal wall thickness of the jacket measures 1.067 mm. the cable has an outer jacket ripcord.

Overall mechanical characteristics
Understanding the mechanical characteristics of a cable will help you to know whether the weight, pulling tension, bend radius and environment you are going to use for your cable is conducive. This Belden 22 AWG 300V cable can operate in an environment of a minimum of -300 C and a maximum of +1050 C. The overall weight of the cable is 46lbs/ 1000 ft while the minimum bend radius or minor axis is 3 inches. 54 lbs is the minimum recommended pulling tension.

The overall electrical characteristics of this cable are as follows;

1.Nom. Inductance (?H/ft): 0.21
2.Nom. Capacitance Conductor to Shield (pF/ft): 54 
3.Nom. Capacitance Conductor to Conductor (pF/ft): 30 
4.Nom. Conductor DC Resistance @ 20°C (Ohm/1000 ft): 15 
5.Ind. Pair Nominal Shield DC Resistance @ 20 Deg. C: 76 Ohm/1000 ft
6.Max. Operating Voltage - UL: 300 V RMS (PLTC CMG) 
7.Max. Operating Voltage - UL: 150 V RMS (ITC) 
8.Max. Recommended Current: 3.8 Amps/Conductor @ 25°C 

Specifications and standards
As usual, it is always prudent to go products that have gone through thorough testing and have been proven safe. Nassau Electrical Supply products are always in compliant with international standards safeguarding the manufacture of cables. The following are the standards and specifications that the Belden 22 AWG 300V PLTC cable is in compliant with;

 1.NEC/(UL) Specification: CMG, ITC-ER, PLTC-ER 
 2.CEC/C(UL) Specification: CMG 
 3.AWM Specification: UL Style 2464 (300 V 80°C) 
 4.EU Directive 2011/65/EU (ROHS II): Yes 
 5.EU CE Mark: Yes 
 6.EU Directive 2000/53/EC (ELV): Yes 
 7.EU Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS): Yes 
 8.EU RoHS Compliance Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 04/01/2005 
 9.EU Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE): Yes 
10.EU Directive 2003/11/EC (BFR): Yes 
11.CA Prop 65 (CJ for Wire and Cable): Yes 
12.MII Order #39 (China RoHS): Yes

Belden 22 AWG 300V PLTC has been taken through the following flame tests and is thus safe to use in terms of fire;

1.UL Flame Test: UL1685 FT4 Loading 
2.C (UL) Flame Test: FT4 
3.IEEE Flame Test: 1202

Application
Because this cable has great sunlight, chemical and mechanical resistance, it is suitable for indoor, outdoor and burial applications. As mentioned earlier, this is type PLTC/ ITC cable and thus it is utilized in power- limited circuit industrial control and energy management systems. It is as well utilized as alarm, audio and intercom applications.

Conclusion
Getting a cable that perfectly matches your needs in the world we live in today can be tricky at times. This cable is highly flexible and quite durable and thus gives your pocket some space to breathe. The multi- conductor is stranded a feature that enhances flexibility. The insulation and jacketing material have been specially created to possess resistance properties against mechanical and chemical damage. With this PLTC cable you will certainly never go wrong.

In case of a fire breakout, the insulator melts into a tough resin which does not burn and consequently keeps the underlying copper conductor very safe from the fire and the handler very safe from the current. There are two types of this resin; EPDMs (ethylene-propylene-propylene-diene elastomer) and EPRs (ethylene-propylene rubber). Both of these materials are cross-linked coatings which are highly flexible over a wide range of temperatures meaning that they can bend and twist without wearing out as other insulators do.

The cross-linked insulation is also neutral to alkali and acids so they will not react with acids or bases whenever they are laid. This means they will always be there to protect the conductor no matter the environment.