Thin, laminated wires save space and money

Feb. 22, 2007
Heavy-gauge cabling needed to carry high loads can be bulky and expensive, especially if made of copper.

Much of the copper in these traditionally round wires is not used because current tends to travel on the outside portion of a wire. To get around this waste, engineers at Erico International, Solon, Ohio (erico.com), stack thin laminates of copper into 100 different sizes of Flexibar to make busbars, sleeves, and braided power shunts. The laminates freely slide inside a sleeve of PVC insulation, letting them twist and bend to simplify assembly. Because they are relatively thin, all the copper carries current, so there is no unused copper such as in traditional cables. This means a round copper cable designed to handle 150 A will have a cross-sectional area over twice that of a Flexibar carrying the same 150-A load. Less copper means lower cost in terms of materials and less volume, which could be a consideration for a crowded power distribution panel. Flexibar is UL and CSA approved and comes in moisture and flame-resistant (VW-1) and fire-retardant, self-extinguishing (UL 94 V0) versions.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 27, 2025
Ensure workplace safety and compliance with our comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safety Training course. Learn critical procedures to prevent serious injuries.
June 27, 2025
Join our expert webinar to discover essential safety control measures and best practices for engineering a truly safe and compliant industrial environment.
June 25, 2025
An innovative aircraft with electric drives combines the best of both worlds. The cross between drone and helicopter could mean significantly faster and more efficient air emergency...
June 25, 2025
Effective when other materials fail, ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear and chemical resistance, sliding characteristics or biocompatibility. Discover...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!