Ribbon Wire

Ribbon wire, also known as multiwire planar cable or flexible flat cable, is a flat wire composed of several conducting wires placed parallel to each other. It offers advantages over round wire for certain applications, including space saving and ease of mass termination.

We stock a range of ribbon cable to suit different specifications and purposes. That includes quality products from leading manufacturers such as 3M, Alpha Wire, and Harting, plus our own cost-efficient RS PRO line.

Browse our selection below and filter by number of conductors, wire size, shielding, and much more. Most listings feature a data sheet offering further technical information if you need it.

Once you're ready to order online, we guarantee efficient shipping as one of North America's largest distributors. You can also contact our team with any questions. Alternatively, read more on the benefits and types of ribbon wire below.

What is ribbon wire?

A ribbon cable is a thin electrical cable with several individually insulated conductors fused in a wide, flat form. Its shape therefore resembles a ribbon - hence the name!

These flat wires are commonly used in computers and other electronic systems that need more than one data bus to connect internal peripherals. Flat power, ethernet, HDMI, and speaker cables also exist.

While available in multiple types, ribbon wire is usually specified by the spacing of its conductors and the number of conductors. You may see the former figure referred to as pitch, while the latter is also called ways.

What are the advantages of flat wires?

Flat ribbon cables can have several benefits over round cables, depending on their application.

• Space saving: Without multiple layers of fillers, shielding, and jacketing, ribbon cables are lighter and more compact than round cables, allowing them to fit into tighter spaces.
• Mass termination: A key purpose of ribbon cables is they enable mass termination, primarily for IDC connectors.
• Flexibility: Flat wires suit high-flex applications such as robotics, military, medical, and aerospace, as they flex equally and in the same plane of motion, as opposed to round wires which twist. Sideways flexibility is restricted, however.
• Performance: With no twisting and turning inside the cable, the length and distance of travel for electrical currents remain constant. This allows for faster signal speeds, less skew, and higher current capacity.
• Durability: Flat cables share stresses and loads equally while being easy to repair thanks to their parallel design.

What are the different types of ribbon cable?

Key types of ribbon wire include:

• Standard ribbon wire: Used for mass termination, typically colored gray.
• Twisted ribbon wire: Featuring pairs for the conductors that are twisted and bonded together.
• Rainbow ribbon wire: Similar in construction to standard ribbon wire, with rainbow-esque colors used for ease of identification.
• Round to flat ribbon wire: The start of the cable is bundled in a round construction, which is useful in limited spaces, before splitting into ribbon cable.
• Bonded ribbon wire: Allowing for a tightly organized construction and easy mass termination, at the expense of flexibility.

What is the red stripe on a ribbon wire for?

Standard ribbon wire commonly features a red stripe on one edge to signify the correct orientation for installation, preventing reverse connections which can damage electronic equipment. It's standard practice for the red conductor to pair with pin 1 on a connector.

What to consider when selecting ribbon wire

There are specifications to consider when comparing and selecting ribbon cables, such as:

• Conductors: Think about conductor material and the properties you need, as well as conductor size and the total number of conductors contained within the cable.
• Jacket and insulation: Manufacturers use various materials such as neoprene, silicon rubber, and thermoplastic to reduce current leakage. The ideal option will depend on the requirements of your application.
• Cable pitch: Pitch is the distance between a cable's conductors. Common pitches range from 0.5mm to 2mm.
• Shielding: Some flat cables feature electromagnetic shielding material in the form of metal braiding or tape to reduce interference from electrical noise. Whether you need it depends on the environmental factors at hand.

Why use RS for your ribbon wire needs?

Flat ribbon cable's unique form offers a range of advantages in specific applications. If it suits yours, we can provide a range of quality cabling solutions from our trusted manufacturers. You can also be sure of quick, convenient shipping once you've placed your online order. Simply select the ideal items for your needs by applying relevant search filters.

Got a question about our products or processes? Reach out to our experts and they'll be happy to help. You can also find guides and industry updates on our expert advice hub.