Allen-Bradley 1770-CD Data Highway Plus Shielded Twinaxial Cable

Description

The 1770-CD is a high-integrity industrial twinaxial communication cable engineered specifically for Data Highway (DH), Data Highway Plus (DH+), and proprietary Remote I/O (RIO) networking architectures. Functioning as a high-reliability physical layer media, this shielded twisted-pair component establishes deterministic token-passing pathways between central programmable logic controllers, decentralized input/output platforms, variable speed drives, and operator interface terminals across manufacturing automation zones. Commonly referred to in industrial environments as the Blue Hose, the cable is designed to provide stable transmission characteristics over long distances without data degradation.

The inner construction contains two twenty-gauge stranded tinned copper conductors insulated with high-density polyethylene, color-coded in clear and blue. To achieve rigorous noise rejection margins inside harsh industrial electromagnetic fields, the conductors are enveloped by an overall Beldfoil aluminum-polyester shield providing 100% coverage, supplemented by a 55% tinned copper braided shield and an integrated 20 AWG tinned copper drain wire. This industrial infrastructure component is standard across automotive assembly plants, automated sortation warehouses, process batching lines, and large-scale plant systems requiring highly reliable peer-to-peer processor interlocking and remote programming execution.

Features

• Specialized twinaxial configuration optimized for Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus and Remote I/O networks.
• Dual-layer shielding incorporating 100% Beldfoil tape alongside a 55% tinned copper braid for comprehensive EMI/RFI isolation.
• Distinctive, high-visibility blue PVC outer jacket providing robust sunlight and oil resistance.
• Industrial 78-ohm nominal characteristic impedance designed to match standard station connectors and termination resistors.
• Support for long-distance network trunks spanning up to 10000 feet depending on network transmission speeds.

Applications

• Multi-node Data Highway Plus (DH+) processor-to-processor interconnect networks.
• SLC 500 and PLC-5 distributed Remote I/O (RIO) chassis communication links.
• Control cabinet trunk line wiring and inter-panel network drops.
• Unconditioned industrial environments requiring sunlight-resistant, long-run communication media.

Technical Specifications

Connections/Interfaces

Installation Guidelines

Minimum Bend Radius Control

Maintain a strict mechanical bending radius of no less than 2.50 inches during structural installation and routing. Violating this spatial dimension risks stretching the twisted copper conductors or shifting the internal impedance profile, causing signal reflections on the communications bus.

Station Connector Integration

When dropping trunk runs into localized stations, terminate the cable leads into standard 1770-series station connectors or equivalent 3-pin terminal blocks. Ensure that the blue conductor matches the Line 1 node and the clear conductor pins link with the Line 2 terminal uniformly across all connected network nodes.

Shield Grounding Protocol

Ground the overall metallic drain shield wire at one single physical location along the total network bus segment—ideally at the primary master processor enclosure enclosure chassis ground bar. Do not terminate the shield at multiple points to eliminate ground loop current induction risks.

Conduit Noise Separation

Isolate all communication line routing paths away from high-potential high-voltage alternating current lines, electric motor feeds, welder lines, and variable frequency drive (VFD) output runs. Maintain a minimum spatial segregation gap of 12 inches within standard cable trays or parallel wiring conduits.

FAQ

What network protocols is this specific cable rated to carry?

The cable is engineered to support industrial Allen-Bradley Data Highway, Data Highway Plus, and Remote I/O control data blocks.

Is it safe to pull this cable through external conduit lines exposed to weather?

Yes, the outer blue PVC jacket is sunlight resistant and rated to maintain structural properties under ambient parameters shifting from -40 to 80 Celsius.

Can this wire be directly spliced mid-run to extend a network trunk line?

Splicing communication cable using wire nuts or electrical tape is prohibited; all network junctions or extensions must use verified station connectors to maintain 78-ohm impedance alignment.

What function does the inner clear and blue insulation perform?

The clear and blue coloring provides explicit polar separation for engineering field wiring, mapping signal lines consistently across wide multi-node systems.

Does this cable provide resistance against high-frequency airborne noise?

Yes, the dual-layer system combining 100% coverage aluminum tape and a 55% tinned copper braided mesh provides high attenuation against factory electromagnetic interference.

What is the electrical resistance of the inner conductor cores?

The inner tinned copper conductors exhibit a nominal direct current resistance of 9.5 ohms per 1000 feet at a standardized baseline temperature of 20 Celsius.

Can an engineer use standard Category 5 Ethernet tools to terminate this wire?

No, this cable requires discrete strip tools and screw-clamp or terminal block connection systems matched for 20 AWG twinaxial parameters.

Is this specific model suitable for drop-line deployments?

Yes, it is designed to establish both primary long-distance network trunks and short drop lines to localized peripheral components.

What termination is mandatory at the terminal ends of the cable run?

The physical ends of the Data Highway Plus bus must be terminated with a matching resistor across the clear and blue lines to prevent packet reflection.

What is the maximum pulling tension allowed during panel wire pulls?

The structural loading constraint of the cable assembly must never exceed the recommended pulling limit of 48 pounds.