A commonly overlooked aspect of any accelerometer-based electronic system is the reliability of the cable assembly linking the transducer and signal conditioner. While much consideration is placed upon the accelerometer, signal conditioning and data acquisition device, cabling can often be an afterthought. Yet, it is actually the cable that can have the most influence over a successful test. Poor cabling results in corrupted and unreliable data; wasted time, cost and materials; and measurement uncertainty. Cables are thus one of the first areas of troubleshooting during a test failure.
Traditional industry coaxial cable construction consists of a conductor affixed to a connector center pin via a quick, easy, low-cost “poke and crimp” method, in which the center conductor is literally inserted into the pin by a crimping tool to create the necessary mechanical and electrical joints. Design tradeoffs of this approach are increased cable susceptibility to loosened joints caused by vibration test inputs, or repeated hot-to-cold temperature cycling. The loosened joints also cause intermittent “open circuit” conditions, in which data can even mirror legitimate vibration data. Even daily handling of a “poke and crimp” manufactured cable can cause joint failure over time.
For more than a decade, Meggitt has made the necessary in-house investments to ensure high-reliability manufacturing of Endevco® cable assemblies, ensuring their extended performance over many years. These unique methodologies include the glass fusing of the center conductor to the center pin, as well as connector installation on the cable itself, for added durability. This offers the best mechanical and electrical joint possible and gives the user a level of maintenance-free reliability that is unmatched in the industry, with reduced susceptibility to pin pullout, non-intermittency, and reliable high- and low-temperature operation. In addition, all cables are subjected to rigorous quality assurance tests, ensuring their performance within intended applications. This includes 100% noise testing of all Endevco® low-noise cables.
Meggitt designs and manufactures its own cables and connectors for optimal performance. In-house expertise includes standard and custom designs, including low-noise, high-temperature and multi-conductor versions. All Endevco® cables are also backed by a five-year comprehensive product warranty, an industry exclusive for manufactured cables, with certain models available at discounted rates under the Endevco® Incentives program.
For detailed technical specifications or additional information, visit www.meggittsensingsystems.com.
