High Performance Communications and Data-grade Cable

• Coaxial
• Triaxial
• Shielded-paired & Non-paired
• Composite Constructions

DataCELL™ is a combination of manufacturing and material technologies developed by Northwire Inc., used in producing high-grade communications cable. A technique proprietary to Northwire yields cable products that possess unusual uniformity and control of electrical characteristics, along with higher temperature ratings and higher degrees of chemical resistance. DataCELL™ technology, along with the use of Northwire's EnduroFLEX ® jacketing materials, produces communications-grade cables with unsurpassed electrical and physical specifications, yet are surprisingly cost-effective.

A common industry method in the manufacturing of high-speed communications cable is the use of foaming agents in combination with insulating materials such as polyethylene and FEP. This foaming technique yields higher insulation values, which result in higher propagation speeds.

DataCELL™ takes foaming technology to the next level by creating cell structures within the insulating materials that have exceptionally uniform size and dispersion.

• The result: high reliability cables that exhibit consistent and predictable electrical characteristics.
• An added benefit: higher degrees of environmental protection, yet cost-effective.

Example : Northwire produces a CAN-bus cable using foamed polyethylene insulation. This cable is rated for 125° C, with an impedance tolerance of ±4%, an oil and chemical resistant EnduroFLEX® jacket that is highly abrasion resistant and cut-proof, all at a lower cost than previously thought possible.

The photos below illustrate the difference between Data CELL and ordinary foaming techniques:

• Even cell dispersion
• Super consistency
• Maintained close impedance tolerance

• Irregular cell dispersion
• Uneven cell sizes
• Large areas with no cell population

There are presently three grades of DataCELL™ , defined by the temperature ratings:

80° C, 125° C, and 200° C.

DataCELL™ 80 : Cellular polyethylene: This is cellular high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is rated at 80° C and yields a V P (velocity of propagation) of 76-78%. The product is available in >10 mil wall. In special applications we can extrude <10 mil wall. Our success in extruding a very consistent dielectric in coaxial and twisted pair configurations with critical electrical requirements is excellent.

DataCELL™125 : Cellular XLPE- This is a cellular cross-linked polyethylene, which is rated at 125 ° C. Most products that are recognized as cellular XLPE become cross-linked via E-beam radiation curing. This is usually more expensive and can sometimes yield inconsistent levels of cross-linking. Our DataCellTM 125 is a proprietary process that produces a cross-linked cellular XLPE dielectric in one process. There is no off-line E-Beam or additional process to cross-link the PE. The DataCellTM 125 also yields a V P of 76-78%.

DataCELL™ 200 : Cellular FEP: This is a cellular fluoropolymer (FEP-Teflon®). This system is rated at 200 ° C and yields a V P of 83-86%. DataCellTM 200 is a superior dielectric for low loss data transmission in coaxial and twisted pair cables.

A wide variety of jacket materials are available including Enduro FLEX ® , plus a broad range of polymer and flouropolymers to meet most environmental challenges. Northwire also has expertise in producing cables with many shielding constructions, including coaxials, twisted pairs, braided, conductive foils, armored, and composite constructions.

Call your Northwire Account Specialist now to discuss your communication cable requirements: 800-468-1516.

TEFLON® is a registered Trademark of DuPont used under license.