With so many cables associated to the interworkings of a computer, or any other hardware, what do they all mean? What are the main differences? As we take a look into the specifications of a cable we will explore the reason, purpose and definition of a ribbon cable and what role they play overall. To begin with, a ribbon cable (also known as multi-wire planar cable, and/or flat cable) is a cable with many conducting wires running parallel to each other on the same flat plane. As a result the cable is wide and flat rather than round. Its name comes from the resemblance of the cable to a piece of ribbon (which is likewise wide and flat).

Ribbon cables are commonly seen for internal peripherals in computers,hot-melt polyester satin such as hard drives, CD drives and floppy drives. On some older computer systems (such as the BBC Micro) they were commonly used for external connections as well. Unfortunately the ribbon like shape makes them awkward to handle especially when there are a lot of them and so round cables have almost entirely replaced ribbon cables for external connections.

Flat cables, also known as ribbon cables, use a variety of cable shielding and cable conductor materials. Cable shielding is an envelope of wires or metal foil that covers the dielectric and center conduction. Typically, shielding for flat cables consists of copper braids; however, another common type is aluminum foil applied to both sides of a supporting mylar or polyester film. Cable conductors are wires or combinations of wires that are not insulated from one another, and that are suitable for carrying electric current. Cable conductors for flat cables are made out of aluminum, aluminum alloys, aluminum-clad steel, copper-clad steel, copper, and copper alloys. Aluminum, a metal characterized by high resistance to corrosion, provides good electrical and thermal properties and a density that is about one-third less than steel, copper, or nickel.

Copper is the most widely used electrical conductor and offers excellent corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity. Flat cables use a variety of cable shielding and cable conductor materials. Cable shielding is an envelope of wires or metal foil that covers the dielectric and center conduction. Typically, shielding for flat cables consists of copper braids; however, another common type is aluminum foil applied to both sides of a supporting mylar or polyester film.

Cable conductors are wires or combinations of wires that are not insulated from one another, and that are suitable for carrying electric current. Cable conductors for flat cables are made out of aluminum, aluminum alloys, and aluminum-clad steel,Polyester taffeta copper-clad steel, copper, and copper alloys. Aluminum, a metal characterized by high resistance to corrosion, provides good electrical and thermal properties and a density that is about one-third less than steel, copper, or nickel. Copper is the most widely used electrical conductor and offers excellent corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity.

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