1. Materials: Drag chain cables use Category 6 conductors, which are bright and transparent, and the insulation material is soft and flexible. The outer sheath is typically made of special PVC and special PUR. Ordinary cables use Category 5 conductors, which are superior, and the characteristic impedance of the insulation material meets national standards. The outer sheath is typically made of PVC, PUR, or rubber.
Simply put, in terms of materials, drag chain cables use only copper conductors, and the individual copper strands are relatively thin and of high purity. Although ordinary cables sometimes use high-strength materials for their outer sheaths, this is only to adapt to certain environments. Drag chain cables use high-strength materials not only for environmental adaptability but also for greater wear resistance. (Drag chain cables are subject to constant friction, and a low-strength outer sheath material can easily wear out in a short period of time.)
2. Cable structure: Drag chain cables use a stranded structure (with a compact internal structure). Ordinary cables use a sleeved or semi-extruded structure (with a looser internal structure).
Drag chain cables are an upgraded version of ordinary cables. Ordinary cables are suitable for fixed installations, while drag chain cables are designed for use inside drag chains. Or perhaps the structure of ordinary cables is designed for rounded shapes and aesthetics, while the structure of drag chain cables directly impacts their service life.
3. Drag chain cables can be made of ordinary wire. Drag chain cables are more flexible, and the softer the better. Their insulation has strong mechanical fatigue resistance, but the mechanical bending life of ordinary cables is still significantly different from that of specialized drag chain cables.
4. Can ordinary cables be used in cable drag chains? The answer is definitely no. Ordinary cables cannot withstand frequent bending and movement because the insulation layer lacks mechanical fatigue resistance, and the core of ordinary cables is prone to breakage due to frequent bending and movement.
