Coiled cables can be found everywhere from basic key chains to cell phone chargers and serve to connect two separate devices where either or both is in need of being able to move in relation to the other.
Coiled cables go by a number of other names including coil cords, spiral cables, retractable cables, and coil cable retractile and curly cords.
As the names indicate, coiled cables are curly, retractable and coiled, and many people will be aware of them via their use in modern landline telephones. The coiled cables make sure that when the phone is picked off its base and pulled toward the user, the cable is not snapped back after reaching the end of the line.
After the handset has been put back in its place the coiled cables then retract, meaning they take up little space when the phone is not in use.
Coiled cable types
Coiled cables come in two basic types – cycled and stationary. Cycled coiled cables are used in the likes of medical devices as they have to be cycled constantly without ever failing. Cycled coiled cables are made in a different way that allows them to be extended and retracted over and over again while maintaining their structural integrity. They are more durable than stationary coiled cables.
Stationary coiled cables are only intended to be stretched once, such as when connecting two devices together. They are not intended to be able to constantly go back and forth but to remain plugged into one stationary device and stretched to connect to another that is some distance away.
Uses of coiled cables
A coiled cable has a variety of different uses beyond just landline telephones. Coiled cables are used in a variety of industries due to the way they work because protection is built into their very design, which is not the case with other cables.
The manufacturing process of coiled cables includes the careful coating of wires with plastic insulation for extra protection. A special plastic that is able to be made into a coil or spring then covers the wires, after which the cable will be coiled and heat-treated in various different ways in order to gain the desired results. Because of the special process used to coil the wires, the wires are stretchable and retractable as required without undergoing any undue wear on the interior wires.
Coiled cables are found in many industries and are able to be manufactured to almost any specification type.
One of the main reasons why coiled cables are such an important part of today’s world is safety. Their ability to stretch and retract on their own helps these specialised cords to keep the workplace safe for everyone. They also help with efficiency, as coiled cables can be made to carry several wire types in the same piece, which not only saves on space within compact or busy locales but also helps to better organise wires.
Coiled cables help to make the workplace, and our everyday lives, more efficient and safer for everyone.
