Is Your Production Line Stopping Because of Bad Cables?
You know the feeling. It is 2 AM in the factory. The main machine stops. The error light is blinking, but the sensor says everything is fine. You check the control cabinet. The signal is lost. Why? Because the cable next to the heavy motor is picking up noise. Or maybe the cable is too stiff, and the moving part cracked the copper wire inside. Or perhaps the oil in the workshop ate through the cheap outer skin.This is not just annoying. It costs money. Every minute of downtime is lost profit. You need a cable that does not just carry electricity. You need a cable that protects your signals. You need a cable that bends without breaking and resists oil, water, and noise. You need the German standard for industrial control.
Meet the LAPP OLFLEX CLASSIC 110 CY – The Shielded Specialist
LAPP is not a new name. Since 1957, they have been the leaders in connection technology. When you buy OLFLEX CLASSIC 110 CY, you are not buying just a wire. You are buying 60 years of German engineering. This specific model, the 5-core 1.5mm² shielded cable, is the “workhorse” of the automation world.Why is it called “CY”? In the cable world, “CY” means it has a tinned copper wire braid shield. This is the armor against electrical noise. Imagine a crowded room where everyone is shouting. That is a factory floor with motors and VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives). The CY shield acts like noise-canceling headphones for your data signals. It keeps the outside noise out and keeps your control signals inside.This is a double-sheathed cable. It has an inner beding and a tough outer PVC jacket. This double layer protects the copper conductors from mechanical damage. It is flexible, but it is tough. It is designed for “unrestricted mobility.” This means you can use it in moving parts, like robotic arms, conveyor belts, or machine tool chains, without worrying about it snapping.
Technical Specs That Matter to You
We know you need hard numbers to make a decision. Here is exactly what you get inside the grey PVC jacket. We keep it simple. No confusing codes.
Voltage and Power Ratings
- Working Voltage: 300/500 Volts. This is the standard for almost all low-voltage control systems in Europe and North America.
- Test Voltage: 4000 Volts. We test it at 8 times the working voltage to ensure it never fails.
- Insulation Resistance: Greater than 20 GΩ x cm. This means almost zero leakage current. Your signals stay where they belong.
Physical Construction
- Cores: 5 Cores (5G).
- Cross-Section: 1.5 mm² (We also handle 1.0 mm² and other sizes, but 1.5mm² is the most popular for power and control mixed circuits).
- Conductor Material: Bare copper, Class 5 fine-stranded. This is not a solid wire. It is made of many tiny copper threads twisted together. This makes it super flexible.
- Shielding: Tinned Copper Braid (CY). The coverage is optimized to stop high-frequency interference.
- Sheath Color: Grey (RAL 7001). It looks professional and hides dirt well.
- Outer Diameter: Approximately 10.2 mm (varies slightly by batch).
Environmental Limits
- Temperature (Fixed): -35°C to +70°C. It can handle freezing warehouses and hot machine rooms.
- Temperature (Moving): -5°C to +70°C.
- Bending Radius:
- Fixed installation: 4 times the cable diameter (approx 40mm).
- Moving installation: 10 times the cable diameter (approx 100mm). Do not bend it sharper than this, or you will damage the shield.
- Oil and Chemical Resistance: The PVC outer sheath resists oils, acids, and alkalis. It is perfect for lubricated machine tools.
- Water Resistance: It is suitable for damp and wet environments. Note: It is NOT for direct burial in the ground or permanent outdoor UV exposure unless protected by conduit.
Where Should You Use This Cable?
You might think, “It is just a cable.” But in engineering, the right tool for the right job saves lives and money. Here is where the 5G1.5 CY shines:
Machine Tools and CNC Machines
This is the #1 use case. Inside a CNC machine, there are servo motors, sensors, and solenoid valves. The 5 cores allow you to carry power (2 cores), ground (1 core), and two signal lines (2 cores) in one single cable. The shield stops the motor noise from messing up the sensor data. The double sheath stops the coolant fluid from leaking onto the copper.
Factory Automation and Robotics
In a robotic arm, cables move millions of times. If you use a cheap solid wire, it will metal-fatigue and break in a month. The OLFLEX 110 CY uses flexible stranding. It moves with the robot. It is also flame retardant (IEC 60332-3). If there is a short circuit fire, it will not spread the flame to the rest of the cabinet.
Building Management and HVAC
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems use complex control loops. You need to send 0-10V or 4-20mA signals to actuators. Electrical interference from the big fan motors can ruin these signals. The CY shield ensures the thermostat reads the correct temperature.
Process Industry and Pumps
In water treatment plants or chemical dosing pumps, humidity is high. The PVC sheath is moisture-resistant. The tinned copper shield does not rust easily in humid air.
Why “Double Sheathed” and “Shielded” Costs More (But Is Worth It)
You might see cheaper cables online. They look the same. Grey jacket, 5 wires inside. But they are not the same. Here is the truth about why you should pay for the LAPP quality:
- The Copper is Real: Some cheap cables use Copper Clad Aluminum (CCA). It breaks easily and has high resistance. LAPP uses high-purity electrolytic copper. The conductivity is better, so your voltage drop is lower. Your equipment runs stronger.
- The Shield is Complete: In cheap cables, the braid coverage might be 60% or 70%. Gaps let noise in. LAPP ensures high-density coverage (usually over 85-90%).
- The Jacket is PVC, not Scrap Plastic: Cheap jackets crack when cold or get sticky when hot. LAPP’s PVC compound is mixed with plasticizers that last for decades. It passes the “cold bend” test even in freezing weather.
- Identification: Every meter is printed with “OLFLEX CLASSIC 110 CY”. You know exactly what you are installing. No guessing games for the electrician.
Installation Tips for Your Electricians
To get the best life out of this cable, follow these simple rules:
- Don’t Pull Too Hard: The tensile strength is good, but don’t yank it. Use a cable puller with force control.
- Strip Carefully: When stripping the outer jacket, do not nick the copper braid. If you cut the shield, you lose the noise protection. Use the right stripper tool.
- Ground the Shield: This is critical. The shield must be grounded at ONE end only (usually the control cabinet end) to avoid ground loops. If you ground both ends, you create a loop that actually attracts noise.
- Separate from Power Cables: Do not run this control cable in the same tray as a 400V power cable. Keep at least 30cm distance. If you must cross them, cross at 90 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this cable suitable for outdoor use?A: It is “weather resistant” but not “UV resistant” for permanent direct sunlight. If you use it outside, put it inside a conduit or cable tray. Do not let the sun bake it directly for years.Q: Can I use this for Ethernet or Data?A: No. This is a control cable for power and analog/digital signals (like 24V DC or 230V AC). It is not a twisted pair data cable for high-speed internet. Use it for sensors and actuators, not for LAN cables.Q: What is the difference between CY and SY?A: CY means Tinned Copper Braid. SY means Aluminum Foil + Braid. SY has better shielding for very high frequencies, but CY is more flexible and easier to ground. For 95% of industrial machines, CY is enough.Q: Do you have 1.0mm² or 2.5mm²?A: Yes. We can supply the full range. The 1.5mm² is the most common for 5-core control, but we can make 1.0mm² for lighter signals or 2.5mm² if you are carrying more power (like for braking resistors).
Get Your Quote Today
You have read the specs. You know the pain of downtime. You know that cheap cables cost more in the long run. Now it is time to act.We are a factory-direct supplier with access to the LAPP manufacturing resources and our own production lines for custom equivalents. We can cut this cable to length, strip the ends, or add ferrules if you need. We ship worldwide.Do not wait for your next machine breakdown. Secure your supply chain with the best control cable in the world.Click “Request Quote” now. Send us your required length and destination port. We will send you a price within 24 hours. Let’s keep your factory running.