November 25, 2021

Twisted Pair Cables for Bus Systems – AICE Information Brochure

In a constantly changing and evolving world such as industrial automation, the need to handle increasingly larger volumes of data in real time is common, in order to meet the requirements of intelligent units that are becoming ever more sophisticated and multifunctional.
To enable these units to exchange data effectively—thus increasing the speed and efficiency of the entire system—the most suitable technological solution is the so-called “fieldbus,” a communication channel that allows the various system components to interface with one another, typically through a serial connection.

A cable is not merely a “supporting element” of the system: the electrical, transmission and mechanical characteristics of the different types of fieldbus cables must be preserved and guaranteed over time, even in particularly challenging installation environments. This ensures both the security and the integrity of communication between devices. For this reason, cables used in industrial automation are commonly referred to as special cables.

To avoid malfunctions, downtime, or performance below potential, the correct choice of cable is essential.

With the aim of supporting industry operators in selecting the most suitable fieldbus solution for their needs, AICE promoted the creation of a working group involving major Italian manufacturers of special cables, including CEAM Cavi Speciali. This initiative led to the development of an informative document illustrating the different types of cables for industrial bus systems and their typical applications.