What Are FFC Ribbon Cables?
Flexible flat cable, or FFC, ribbon cable is a generic term used to describe flexible and flat electrical cable used in compact electronic devices.
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Design
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FFC is constructed by laminating thin copper conductors between two layers of polyester insulation. The copper conductors are left uncovered on each end and then tin plated to make electrical contact with the connector. Each end is reinforced with a stiffener to reduce strain and make insertion easier. The gap between the conductors (pitch) is typically between 0.5mm and 2mm.
Use
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Because they are flat, ribbon cables are used where there is limited space. This is the case with compact electronic devices, where it's essential that both weight and size are kept to a minimum, as with laptops and cell phones. They can be used for various operations, such as connecting disk drives to disk drive controllers.
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Availability
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FFC can be purchased from electronic stores in short lengths for home use. It can also be bought in large quantities of up to 500 feet per role from special sellers for business use.
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References
- Photo Credit laptop image by Du...¡an Zidar from Fotolia.com
