Hookup Wire for Space Applications: Cable Type SPL and SPLD
 Gore's Cable Types SPL and SPLD are the lightest weight wire used for signal and power harnesses. Cable Types SPL and SPLD meet ESA/SCC 3901/019 and /021 (constructions with a drain wire). This cable has already been used on Polar platform/Envisat, XMM, Globalstar, and Integral. SPL and SPLD cables use silver-coated, oxygen-free, high-conductivity copper and copper alloy conductors for crimping and soldering. The cables are available in wire size AWG 12 to AWG 30 with operating voltage of 600 V rms in service temperatures of 200°C to +200°C.
Cable Types SPL and SPLD are available in 94 and 41 variants, respectively, ranging from single wires to seven-core cables.
SPL
| Variant number |
Shield |
Number of core |
Wire size range (AWG) |
Maximum cable diameter (mm) |
Maximum weight (kg/km) |
|
01-08
|
No
|
1
|
30-12
|
0.78-2.73
|
0.98-27
|
|
09-16
|
No
|
2
|
30-12
|
1.5-5.5
|
2.1-55.0
|
|
17-24
|
No
|
3
|
30-12
|
1.7-5.9
|
3.3-88.0
|
|
25-32
|
No
|
4
|
30-12
|
1.9-6.5
|
4.4-118.0
|
|
33-37
|
No
|
5
|
28-20
|
2.4-4.0
|
7.8-35.0
|
|
38-42
|
No
|
6
|
28-20
|
2.6-4.4
|
9.6-48.2
|
|
43-47
|
No
|
7
|
28-20
|
2.6-4.4
|
10.5-47.8
|
|
48-55
|
Yes
|
1
|
30-12
|
1.1-3.1
|
2.6-31.7
|
|
56-63
|
Yes
|
2
|
30-12
|
1.9-5.8
|
5.1-67.0
|
|
64-71
|
Yes
|
3
|
30-12
|
2.0-6.2
|
6.1-99.0
|
|
72-79
|
Yes
|
4
|
30-12
|
2.2-6.9
|
7.6-124.0
|
|
80-84
|
Yes
|
5
|
28-20
|
2.7-4.4
|
12.5-43.0
|
|
85-89
|
Yes
|
6
|
28-20
|
3.0-4.8
|
14.8-58.2
|
|
90-94
|
Yes
|
7
|
28-20
|
3.0-4.8
|
15.7-57.0
|
SPLD
| Variant number |
Drain wire |
Number of core |
Wire size range (AWG) |
Maximum cable diameter (mm) |
Maximum weight (kg/km) |
|
01-09
|
Yes
|
1
|
30-12
|
1.4-5.3
|
3.4-66
|
|
10-17
|
Yes
|
2
|
30-12
|
2.2-8.0
|
5.7-95.0
|
|
18-23
|
Yes
|
3
|
30-20
|
2.3-4.6
|
6.7-33.0
|
|
24-29
|
Yes
|
4
|
30-20
|
2.5-4.9
|
8.2-40.0
|
|
30-33
|
Yes
|
5
|
26-20
|
3.4-5.4
|
17.0-49.0
|
|
34-37
|
Yes
|
6
|
26-20
|
3.7-5.8
|
20.0-62.0
|
|
38-41
|
Yes
|
7
|
26-20
|
3.7-5.8
|
22.0-65.0
|
Clean and easy stripping
Polyimide-insulated wire is notoriously frustrating to strip. The FEP adhesive, which is necessary to fuse the insulation layers, typically also bonds to the conductor surface, making stripping tedious and time-consuming. Gore Types SPL ad SPLD feature a thin layer of GORE™ expanded PTFE between the conductor and the polyimide tapes, thereby avoiding the hassle of trimming frayed insulation, along with the secure knowledge that the conductor remains unscathed, allowing your team to meet the high ESA standards.
Light weight
Gore types SPL ad SPLD were specifically deigned to maintain the highest safety standards while reducing weight. Gore types SPL and SPLD are useful in reducing total launch mass or freeing additional kilograms for other, more critical subsystems.
Flexibility and easy handling
Gore types SPL and SPLD are more flexible then comparable polyimide-insulated wires and cables, which greatly facilitates routing and installation. Their small diameter fits more readily into the tight enclosures encountered in modern spacecraft.
High scrape abrasion and cut-through resistance
Wires and cables used in spacecraft wiring harnesses are typically cut to length, stripped, and terminated while the technician stands inside the structure or on a ladder or maintenance stand. The difficult routings and cramped quarters encountered are not conducive to proper cable handling.
Cables can be overstressed during installation, before the satellite goes into a temperature cycling or vibration test, and sections of the harness often require replacement during system qualification. Gore type SPL and SPLD provide excellent safety during handling due to the mechanical properties of its insulation materials, thus helping integration teams stay on schedule and avoid costly downtime.
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