Power and Control Cables

Our power and control cables fall under the ÖLFLEX® product brand and have always represented oil resistance and flexibility. Power cables provide the optimum power supply; while control cables, on the other hand, transmit signals to control devices and machines. In this product segment, LAPP offers you a variety of cables that can be used to cover all applications. Discover the range: from simple, universally usable single cores to multi-core cables for specific purposes such as robot or drag chain applications, or even solar and wind power.

What is a power cable?

A power cable

 - supplies devices, machines and plants with energy,

 - serves to connect the power supply in buildings,

 - distributes energy, e.g. in power stations and converter stations.

After all, without power, nothing works!

Power cables are also
known as energy cables
electricity cables
supply cables
or connecting cables.

A power cable has at least 1 core and a maximum of 5 cores. A variant with more than 2 cores usually consists of a neutral conductor, a protective conductor and one to three current-carrying outer conductors (phases, L1-L3), depending on the single-phase or three-phase alternating current.

The conductor cross-section is generally ≥ 0.5 mm², the individual cores are colour-coded according to VDE 0293-308/HD 308 (core identification code for colour-coded low-voltage cables and wires). LAPP offers power cables for the low-voltage range up to 1 kV and for the medium-voltage range up to 30 kV.

A control cable,

 - transmits control signals within a control circuit and

 - controls machine components with these control signals

Control cables are used to establish wiring within and across machines between electrical devices, machines, switchboards, sensors and actuators.

The control cables transmit simple signals used to control machines and their components. The signal receivers execute an action based on the control signals.

A control cable can contain 2 to typically 25 or, in rare cases, up to 100 numbered cores. The conductor cross-section is usually between 0.5 mm² and 2.5 mm², but can also be up to 35 mm² depending on the application. Control cables should be flexible and space-saving and have the smallest possible bending radii.

ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC 110

Standard-related information: Most of our control and power cables are subject to the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and Council for electrical equipment with a nominal voltage between 50 and 1000 volts (AC voltage) and between 75 and 1500 volts (DC voltage).

Power and control cables are often used in the same applications, but have different functions. While in the figure below, the power cable provides the power supply to the machine control cabinet, the control cables pass on commands to the machine.

1. Power cable

2. Actors 

3. Control cable

4. Switches, sensors

The history of LAPP begins with an ÖLFLEX® cable. In 1957, Oskar LAPP invented the first industrially produced cable – a flexible control cable with colour-coded cores.

Up to this point in time, there were no cables that could also be described as a sheathed bundling of several insulated conductors. Cores were previously pulled individually into protective conduits with a great deal of effort.

A major industrial change took place with the oil-resistant and flexible ÖLFLEX® cables from LAPP.

Since then, the ÖLFLEX® brand has been synonymous with power and control cables.

Today, the ÖLFLEX® cables still satisfy the highest demands and can withstand even the very toughest conditions. ÖLFLEX® has brought together various product families in the meantime:

Electric motors, control cabinets and power cables can have a

disruptive effect on control cables and data cables due to the generated electromagnetic fields.

1. The electromagnetic radiation from power cables interferes with surrounding devices and machines:

      2. The electromagnetic radiation of devices and machines in turn interferes with the power supply or signal transmission:

Copper stranded shielding under the outer sheath of power, control and data cables serves as an effective countermeasure. This shields the interference fields in

both directions - provided that the electromagnetic interference can be discharged into the ground using a suitable earthing concept.

Depending on your application, you can decide whether your power and control cables should be shielded and therefore become electromagnetically compatible.

Read more in-depth information on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) here.

Power and control cables must withstand a wide range of mechanical influences such as pulling, bending, abrasion, cutting, torsion and pressure. They often also have a special chemical resistance, enhanced temperature resistance and, of course, UV and weather resistance are expected if used outdoors.

They can be used almost everywhere: in mechanical and plant engineering, in measurement, control and heating engineering, in wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, in public buildings, airports, railway stations, as well as in medical engineering, the chemical industry, the food industry, construction engineering, stage technology, mobile electrical appliances and many more applications.

Which product groups have we defined for our power and control cables?

1. Cables for standard applications
   for simple control circuit wiring.
2. Halogen-free cables
   offer suitable properties in the event of a fire.
3. Cables for harsh conditions
   with a robust outer sheath made of PUR, TPE (ROBUST) or rubber.
4. Servo and motor cables
   The perfect combination of power cores and control cores.
5. Drag chain cables
   made of fine and extra-fine wire conductors for maximum mobility.
6. Robot and torsion cables
   Special core stranding allows simultaneous bending and twisting.
7. Spiral cables
   Spiral cable shape for tight spaces.
8. Cables for industry-specific use
   for direct current applications, SOLAR, TRUCK and TRAIN applications.
9. Cables for lift and conveyor technology
   with additional support stranding and/or reinforcements.
10. Temperature-resistant cables.
    made of cross-linked PE, silicone, FEP, PTFE or glass fibre.
11. Single cores
    Single core and no sheath, for universal and simple wiring.
12. Infrastructure cables
    for building connection and energy distribution.

Tools and accessories you might need 

Browse through our portfolio,
use our smart filters and
find your top product.