Control and instrumentation
Control and instrumentation cable
Multi-conductor cable with numbers printed on every conductor, often shielded, usually ordered in 500 or 1000 foot reels and almost always over-ordered.
What counts as control cable
Control cable is a multi-conductor assembly used for switching, indicating and interlocking: motor starters, relays, solenoids, alarm circuits and PLC I/O. Conductors are numbered or colour-coded, and the assembly is often shielded to keep switching noise out of adjacent signal wiring.
Instrumentation cable is the lower-level relative: twisted pairs or triads carrying analog signals, frequently with an overall foil shield and drain wire, and often with individual pair shields.
What we buy
Copper control and instrumentation cable from 18 AWG through 10 AWG, in tray-rated, plenum and general-purpose constructions.
- Shielded and unshielded multi-conductor control cable
- Twisted-pair instrumentation and signal cable
- Thermocouple extension wire in common calibrations
- Plenum-rated CMP and tray-rated TC control cable
Conductor count is the headline number
Two reels of the same gauge can differ by a factor of twelve in value depending on whether they are 3-conductor or 37-conductor. Put the conductor count in the form, and if the reel tag lists it, photograph that line. Shield type matters next, and plenum ratings matter more than most sellers expect.
Sizes
Common sizes we see on Idaho reels
- #18
- #16
- #14
- #12
- #10
Sizes shown as AWG and MCM. Anything between the listed sizes is still worth quoting.
What to send
Details that let us quote it properly
- Conductor count — the single most useful number
- AWG size of the individual conductors
- Shielded or unshielded
- Voltage rating and any plenum or tray rating
- Numbered conductors, pairs or triads
- Footage, plus a photo of the tag and cut end
Email photos to saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com or add them to the form below. Either way, keep the tag and the jacket legend readable.
Do you buy thermocouple wire?
Yes, when the calibration type is identifiable. Photograph the print on the insulation, since J, K and T types are not interchangeable.
Is plenum cable worth more?
CMP constructions are more expensive new and are quoted accordingly. If the jacket says CMP or plenum, make sure that is visible in the photo.
Quote Control or instrumentation cable
Choose the category that matches your material, then fill in the size, footage and condition as closely as you can.
Keep reading
Related categories and areas
Other wire and cable
Reels in the way? Send the tag photos.
Tell us the type, size, footage and voltage, and send a few photos of the reels, tags and jacket legend. We will review the material and talk through pricing and logistics.