A multicore cable is a type of electrical cable that combines multiple signals or power feeds into a single jacketed cable.[1] The term is normally only used in relation to a cable that has more cores than commonly encountered.[2] Not all cables with multiple insulated conductors are called multicore cables – the core in multicore refers to the number of usable connections made, not the number of conductors or wires. In most cases, a "usable connection" requires multiple conductors, such as the positive and negative conductors used for DC power.
For example, a standard three-conductor mains cable is never referred to as multicore, but a cable comprising four coaxial cables in a single sheath would be considered multicore. Confusingly, the term multicore is occasionally used to refer to the number of individual conductors rather than the number of connections, especially in Europe.[3][4] A cable with multiple conductors, but not a multicore cable, is usually called a multi-conductor or multi-wire cable.[5]
- ^ "What is a Multicore Cable?". Custom Designed Cables Ltd. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "What Is a Multicore Cable?". wiseGEEK. Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Multi-Conductor Cable". Galaxy Wire & Cable. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "The Difference Between The Single Core And Multi Core Electric Wire". Galaxy Cable. Xi'an Galaxy Rising Industrial Co., Ltd. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ Davis, Larry (15 January 2012). "Definitions of Technical Terms - 'Mov' to 'Mz'". Electronic Engineering Dictionary. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
Two or more insulated conductors (solid or stranded) contained in a common covering or jacket