A PCIe ribbon cable is a cable type with many flat wires put parallel and side-by-side. Hence, they look more like a ribbon cable. PCIe ribbon cables help transfer data at a fast rate. We can see more of its use in computer systems and mobile devices.

A pertinent question that engulfs individuals’ minds is the exact size of the ribbon cable that suits their needs. There are two ways of identifying ribbon cable sizes. The two factors considered are:

The flexible flat cables don’t move within the jacket to retain their electrical properties and qualities. Another interesting feature of the flexible flat cable is that the cable’s conductors have similar physical and electrical lengths.

Insulation-displacement contact (IDC) has another name to be Insulation-piercing contact (IPC). This process involves the forcefully inserting of a selectively sharpened blade or blades through the insulation. In this case, there is no need to strip the conductor bare before connection.

The LowPower function has a maximum limit of eight seconds. We set up a for loop to loop 100 times through the LowPower stage giving us a delay of a little over 13 minutes. The times can be increased or decreased to account for whatever sampling time you want to use.

These colored-looking cables are very efficient in producing second-to-none output results. They appear in various sizes and pitches. It is important to derive all its information to fully use the ribbon cable.

Another way of determining the pitch of the ribbon cable is by measuring the outside edge of the cable and then dividing the figure by the total number of connectors.

This unique type of ribbons cable combines mass termination ability with the ease of discrete wire cable. The conductors are folded into a circular frame and are split apart at the other end, and it allows them to ease access to use. Generally, this type of ribbon cable is suitable for areas with tight space.

Flatribboncableconnectors catalog

Other types of ribbon cable connectors’ sizes are 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25, 26, 34, 37, 40, 50, 60, 64, and 80.

The Arduino UNO uses a linear voltage regulator that is effective but not very efficient. Since the on-board power regulator is inefficient, it becomes easier to bypass. A linear regulator takes any additional voltage and dissipates it as heat. So by running your Arduino with a 9-V battery, the regulator basically turns the extra 4V into heat. This wastes about 44% of the power. The wasted power is even greater if you use a 12V supply.

More so, ribbon cables are important for military-based equipment construction. They are also important in industrial environments.

Lastly, using ribbon cables eliminates the stress associated with troubleshooting bulk wires. They are organized already in a single piece.

The AT24C256 comes pre-programmed from the factory with a hexadecimal address of 0x50. Once you have all of the parts, connect everything together following this wiring diagram:

Also, the fact that ribbon cables are lightweight contributes very little to the device’s overall weight, and it explains why you see so many connectors in a computer but weigh less.

In this project, we will use a DHT22 sensor to read the humidity and temperature, then store the measurements on an EEPROM chip. We will also use a real time clock to attach a time and date stamp to each sensor reading.

Here are the results of adding the LowPower Arduino Library to the Blink program. The results below are from identical Arduino UNOs running at 12V using the onboard regulator, and 12V on a buck converter:

Ribbon cables tolerate all sorts of temperatures, be they harsh or friendly. But, if ribbon cables operate perfectly in unfavorable temperatures, a silicon jacket is the best bet.

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By this implication, the ribbon cable pitch is usually half of the connector’s pitch when there is a two-row connector pitch.

Folded flat ribbon cable assemblies are the best when it comes to limited areas. Depending on the nature of a project, folded cable assemblies afford the needed flexibility for installation. You can fold them in the desired directions; however, you would require some arrangement tools for permanent folding.

It is a suitable cable for printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, DVD stereos, LCD appliances, and other electrical products.

Shielded ribbon cables consist of an outer shield made out of copper braids. Also, some ribbon cables are double-shield. Aside from the external protection, they have an inner foil that bridges contact between the wires and the outer shield.

Ribbon cables are efficient in various areas like computing, aerospace, military, and robotics. These cables possess good superior quality, flexibility, and packaging efficiency and reduce the presence of electronic noise.

PCB represents the Printed circuit board. It is a connector type with two rolls of pins with the same spacing as BT 224 connectors. For efficiency, these pins connect directly to the PCB.

As mentioned, we will use an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) to store the DHT22 sensor data. Alternatively, we could use an SD card reader. However, an SD card reader requires nearly 30ma and would use more power than the entire project. The EEPROM is the best fit for storing data in remote locations. They are small, reliable, and consume less than 3ma when writing to it. The data stored on it is non-volatile, meaning that it can be retrieved after power has been removed from the chip.

The #include statements load the required DHT sensor libraries, LowPower library, Wire.h for the I2C bus, the EEPROM module, and the real time clock library. The DHTPIN is connected to pin 5; you need to uncomment the line that defines which device you’re using, DHT 22, in this example.

Rainbow ribbon cables are similar to the standard ribbon cables available. But this time, the wires have, by default, rainbow coloring. The rainbow coloring helps with easy identification and organization. Also, similar to the resistor color doing, where Brown can depict pin 1. It works as with the red stripe on one edge of a standard ribbon cable

This program erases all of the data stored on the EEPROM. With reference to the LED digitalWrite(13, HIGH);, the LED is turned on to indicate that the EEPROM has been completely erased. Run this program before starting any new sampling.

Another name for BT 224 connector is the IDC connector. Many standards define this connector type, such as BS 9525- F0023, DIN 41651, and MIL-C- 83505.

Furthermore, the ribbon cable assembly is a good conductor. They possess good electrical qualities, and these qualities make them able to carry a larger current capacity.

Determining the size of a PCIe ribbon cable is similar to that of ribbon cables, and we can classify them into two, namely Pitch and Number of conductors.

In this article, we will discuss methods to reduce power consumption in an Arduino project. To demonstrate these methods, we will build a low power Arduino project that detects temperature and humidity with a DHT22 sensor and stores the sensor readings in an EEPROM memory chip.

The ribbon cable is flat and rectangular. The flexibility of the ribbon cable makes it easy to hold many connectors simultaneously and transmit a large amount of data through signals. Furthermore, ribbon cables help to manage conductors effectively, even where space is limited.

The female connectors of the micro ribbon connector possess a bail lock that connects them to the male counterpart for a secure connection.

• D- Subminiature connectors are suitable for serial ports and printer ports. It means that these connectors work perfectly for both printers and serial ports.

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Flatribboncabletypes

There are a host of names for the ribbon connectors. These names are a telco, 25 pair, miniature delta ribbon, mini D ribbon, MDR, Amphenol, or even miniature ribbon connector.

After breaking down the first program, this one is pretty basic. The function used to enter data was EEPROM.update(). Now, we will use the function EEPROM.read(). In the void loop(), we set up a while loop based on the contents at address 0 of the EEPROM. The first piece of data entered is the month, which should be anything from 1-12. Be sure that your RTC is running; if it isn’t, the while loop would never start. The while loop will run until it reaches the last cell written to.

However, some devices cannot be powered down when idle. For example, if you are using an SD card reader, it won’t allow you to turn it off then back on using a GPIO pin. Additionally, some devices like a real time clock module need to remain powered on, and you must be aware of the current limitation of an I/O port (approximately 40 ma).

Are there indeed differences between FPC and FFC aside from their names? Yes! There are differences.Flat flexible cables (FFC), as we have discussed, are ribbon cables used mostly in high-density devices like computers. Their flat and flexible nature allows them to connect two components freely in a limited space.

For the conductors’ pitch or spacing, a spacing of 0.05 inch (1.27 mm) is the most common form of ribbon cable spacing. This spacing type allows for a two-row connector with a pin spacing of 0.1 inches (2.54mm). Most personal computers favor this exact spacing ribbon cable size. It is a common type of ribbon cable size in floppy disk drive cables and custom parallel ATA cables.

Ribbon cables, like other cables, have different types. Hence, we shall consider the five types of ribbon cables, which include:

There have been adjustments to shielded ribbon cables in recent times, and these advancements now make them safer to use and much more feasible.

Note that the output goes to the 5V plug from the buck converter. If you decide to run the Arduino on 3.3V, use a 5V connection also. When you bypass the power plug, you are also bypassing the reverse polarity diode, so be certain you properly orient the wires.

The standard ribbon cable comes with the ease of mass termination. A typical way to know one is by its color – They are grey.

The DIL headers possess pins with the same spacing as standard DIL ICs. They connect two Printed circuit Boards. Also, they work well with appropriate DIL sockets to form a plug and even socket pair.

The essence of ribbon cable color coding is to prevent the occurrence of reverse connections. One rule for ribbon cable color coding is that the edge of the cable, which bears a red stripe, connects to pin 1 of the connector. The cable color-coding makes it easy to identify the different sets of connectors.

The wires of a flexible flat cable are not wound like a round cable. They are lighter and more flexible. It makes it easy to protect the individual wires.

Consider the life span of the ribbon cable you intend to purchase. Like every other electrical component, choosing a ribbon cable that can survive the test of time is necessary.

There are numerous other methods available to control power consumption by the ATmega328P. For simplicity, we will use the LowPower.powerDown() method.

Ribboncableconnectors types

Color coding is essential in PCIe ribbon cables. So, users can avoid any unpleasant cases. Color coding helps in pin identification and prevents reverse connection. In line with this, one edge of the ribbon cable has a red color to tell pin 1.

In the setup() function, the serial port is enabled, and the real time clock functionality is confirmed. Take note of the line //rtc.adjust(DateTime(F(DATE), F(TIME)));, as this is used to set the RTC against the clock your computer is using. It must be un-commented once then uploaded to set the clock. Once you have reset the clock, insert the comment again and recompile the code. The final two lines in setup enable the DHT sensor and turn on the I2C Bus.

The Arduino’s ATMEGA328 microprocessor has several power saving features built-in. We can use the LowPower Arduino library to take advantage of these features by disabling certain processes and even shutting down the processor as needed to save a considerable amount of power.

Also, powering the attached devices through an I/O port allows you to turn off the device when it’s not in use. In the example project, we are going to connect the sensor the GPIO pins and only turn them on when we need to take a reading. This lowers power consumption and increases the life of the sensor.

Fortunately, the information you require is available in this write–up. If you want to know more about how ribbon cables work, reach out to us at CLOOM Tech.

Sleep duration can be set to 15 ms, 30 ms, 60 ms, 120 ms, 250 ms, 500 ms, 1 Second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds, or 8 seconds. There are methods of increasing the sleep duration well beyond 8 seconds, as shown later in this article.

The ribbon cable pitch of the connector and that of a ribbon cable is never the same. The ribbon cable is always half of the connector pitch.

The device shown below is a 4.5-24V DC to 5V DC step-down buck converter, which is considerably more efficient than the linear regulator used on the UNO. This module takes a voltage from 4.5 volts to 24 volts and reduces it to 5 volts. The circuit should work with any step-down buck converter that has a 5V or 3.3V output. It has an additional advantage because you can disable the power output by simply grounding the enable pin (yellow wire).

Bonded ribbon cables are organized and do not seem scattered about the place. However, it is also less flexible than other types, making its application difficult in tight spaces. One exciting advantage of this cable is that it provides straightforward mass termination with a range of cabling products. In addition, Bonded ribbon cables are of 3 types: Single Hook-Up wire, Coaxial cable, and Multi-Conductor cable.

However, FPC stands for Flexible Printed Circuit. Like FFC, it is flexible, having a conductive circuit sandwiched in between elastic polymers. Technically, FPC is more than just a cable; and it is more of a flexible printed circuit board. However, it is thinner, lighter, and less rigid compared to the traditional PCBs.

Some Arduino projects are designed to operate off the grid. Operating an Arduino remotely requires powering it with batteries or solar power. In these cases, power consumption becomes a critical factor, and your circuits should be optimized to reduce power consumption as much as possible.

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The twisted flat ribbon cable is different from the standard ribbon cable.  In contrast, they have two pairs of their conductor twisted and bonded. One benefit of twisted flat ribbon cables is that it reduces cross talk.

Types: FFCs are Type 1/Type A and Type 2, or Type D. The difference here is that type A cables have contacts on one side and at both ends, and in contrast, Type D has connections on both sides and at both ends of the line.

Fire resistance is another factor to consider when choosing a ribbon cable. The importance is not only for the benefits of the electrical equipment but also for safety.

Cloom Tech is not just a body of professional teams specialized in different areas of expertise. With us, you are guaranteed a superb custom ribbon cable service, as it is a part of what we are known to do well; we are a team of seasoned professionals who take a keen interest in delivering effective results.

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FlexibleFlat Cable

These cables are necessary for the automotive industry. In constructing automobiles, manufacturers make use of ribbon cables.

Additionally, ribbon cables are essential in building many electrical products. A good number of electrical products make use of ribbon cables. It is because of the miniature nature of ribbon cables, which makes them easy to use for designing electrical products.

Ribbon cables are indeed important for various connections of sorts. They play important roles in connecting various applications like mobile phones, laptops, and electronic devices.

More so, there are also problematic cases of frictional heat in the cable during its repetitive motion cycles — also, conductors inside the cable move relative to one another.

Industries like aviation industries and space exploration find the ribbon cables essential in carrying out their activities.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand the capabilities of both the ribbon cable and flexible flat cables to ensure proper usage. In all, flexible flat cables possess better features than ribbon cables.

The variable address declared initially as an int “0” is used to address the first storage location in the EEPROM address 0. The syntax for writing to the EEPROM is EEPROM.update(address,(value). Using EEPROM.update will first verify and write only if the data is different from what may have already been written at that address earlier. This prevents writing the same data to the location; if the data hasn’t changed, don’t rewrite it. Since you only have a finite number of times you can write to a location, this helps the device’s longevity. Memory cells can be written to approximately 100,000 times.

The for loop was configured to read six records. That’s how many entries are made each time the data capturing program runs. If you wanted to increase the amount of data captured, you would first modify the data capturing program by adding anything else you want to be recorded. Then increase the number on the if statement to account for the extra.

RibbonCable4 Pin

In the diagram, the black wire is common ground, and the red is the input voltage. The green wire is the voltage output.

The Arduino UNO is a fantastic platform that allows users to create and test countless devices. However, the design did not concern itself with power consumption. So if you’re running your project from a 12V power supply, it will draw over 50ma of current. By lowering the voltage to a 9V battery, you can reduce the current draw to about 33ma. At that rate, you’ll be changing batteries often, something not very convenient in remote locations.

In choosing ribbon cables, flexibility is a necessary factor. Since ribbon cables are flexible, there is still a need to purchase a more flexible type. If the design is limited or requires a more flexible type, purchase a custom ribbon cable with greater flexibility that suits the job.

It is a connector type that is very common among different suppliers that operate together. Although the standard is now in an internationally standard form of IEC 60603-2 and EN 60603-2

Both cable types are important in diverse ways. While one assist in a particular field, the other remains relevant in a field that suits it. However, flat cables existed long before the ribbon cables came into existence.

More importantly, it helps make the installation easier because it can easily identify the different conductors important to the connection.

Microribbon connector possesses a shape similar to D- Subminiature connector with two parallel rows of contact. Its contacts are not pins. Rather, they are small bands of metal in the form of ribbons.

Flexible flat cables are a smaller form of ribbon cables. These cables possess a special sort of makeup. Its makeup is a flat and flexible plastic film base and multiple conductors on a surface.

In flexible flat cables, the conductors are isolated to keep them stable. These cables are more flexible than ribbon cables.

Another benefit is the reduction in overheating of devices. They can fold in a compartment and make more space, and these rooms are channels through which air can flow. Therefore, the device is less prone to failure due to overheating.

To demonstrate the power-saving capabilities, the Blink program was modified, replacing the two delay() functions with the LowPower library functions. Below shows the function, LowPower.powerDown(SLEEP_2S, ADC_OFF, BOD_OFF);. By replacing the delay() function, it accomplished quite a bit.

The pitch is simply the spacing between two conductors in the ribbon cable. Some of the commonly used spacing is 0.05inches and 0.1 inches. The wires of t

The first argument, SLEEP_2S, puts the processor to sleep for two seconds. To free up the processor, the PWM signal is created on an external clock, which is disabled, turning off the ADC function saving additional power. The Brown Out Timer (BOT), used to ensure the proper voltage is provided, is also temporarily disabled.

To learn more about the Arduino, check out our Ultimate Guide to the Arduino video course. We teach Arduino programming and circuit building techniques that will prepare you to build any project.

Ribbon cables are flat and flexible, and these features afford them the ability to fit comfortably well in any compartment.

After writing to the first address “0”, the address is incremented, and the next cell can be written to “1”. Notice that we are writing exactly 6 chunks of data for each sampling.

Flatribboncable Connectortypes

It comes in various sizes and is necessary for different applications. Often, these cables appear quite confusing to individuals who find it difficult to spot their differences.

Another name for ribbon cable is multi-wire planar cable or hippie cable. It is a cable type with many conducting wires running parallel on the same flat plane.

With a flat ribbon cable assembly, you can easily adjust the cables to suit the device’s connections. Also, it comes with its hand press for insulation piercings during adjustment. Rbbon cable assembly also comes color-coding to prevent reverse connection. In the absence of this, a reverse connection can damage the device.

In the loop() function after the delay(), the first instruction is to get the time from the RTC with a call to rtc.how(). The next two reads are from the DHT library using the dht.readHumidity(), dht.readTemperature() functions, that store the output in variables “h” and “t” respectively. The delays that come after the read functions are added because they have a slight delay when they read. The function dht.readTemperature(true) saves the temperature in Fahrenheit and stores it in “f”. If you prefer to use Celsius, change the variable to “t”, to replace the “f” EEPROM.update(address,f);.

Make it a duty to settle for a ribbon cable type in line with the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directives and fit according to fire safety standards.

There are modifications you can make to the hardware to help reduce the current draw. For instance, given that an LED can draw as much as 2ma, you might consider removing them altogether.

As we stated earlier, shielded ribbon cables are the best fit for tight spaces. More so, they have numerous applications in computers and computer peripherals. Floppy drivers, hard drives, and CD drives use shield ribbon cables. Also, printers and some computer devices are not left out here.

Flexible flat cables are a type of ribbon cable that is flat and flexible. These are direct connections without any additional components. It is a thin flat cable commonly found in high-density electronics applications. Its material is very flexible.

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However, there are limitations to shielded ribbon cables. Because they have fire and stab resistance, the cooling rate is also meager.

Pitch is spacing. It refers to the spacing of conductors within the ribbon cable. The pitch depends on the cable requirements and specifications. Some examples of pitches include 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.25mm, and 2mm.

We need three separate Arduino programs. The first program is used to write the sensor data to the EEPROM. The second program is used to read the sensor data from the EEPROM. The third program is used to delete the sensor data from the EEPROM.

This connector possesses high low contact resistance and long life. It also offers a cost-effective means of connecting PCB to other applications.

Asides from recognizing ribbon cables, the confusion lies in choosing them. In choosing ribbon cables, there are quite a several factors to put into consideration. These cables are:

A typical instance that proves the usefulness of ribbon cable is its function in computer hardware. The ribbon cable connects the disk drive to the disk drive controller.

There is much discrete cable that you could use for a project and still get the desired out. However, one basic need for flat ribbon cable assembly is space. The use of flat ribbon cable assembly in the internal wiring of electronics devices conserves space. This cable assembly can transmit both power and data from point to point in the computer. It is necessary to stress that flat ribbon cable assembly is not limited to computing devices only.

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Ribbon cables are almost indispensable in manufacturing industries. They play a significant role in the consumer electronics manufacturing industry.

Are you tired of making the wrong choice of ribbon cables? Do you know the difference between a ribbon cable and a flexible flat cable?