HELUKABEL Braids PLC-40/55 E2UK Braided Cable Sleeve

The HELUKABEL Braids PLC-40/55 /E2UK is a 25-meter industrial copper braided cable sleeve designed for the protection and shielding of PLC cables and automation wiring systems. Manufactured by HELUKABEL, a leading specialist in cables and wires, this braid provides mechanical protection against abrasion while delivering effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The expandable inner diameter of 40 to 55mm accommodates bundles of multiple cables, making it suitable for machine automation, control cabinet wiring, and fieldbus trunk cabling.

Technical Specifications

The PLC-40/55 braid features a tinned copper construction with a braid structure designed for flexibility and high conductivity. Inner diameter expandable range: 40mm to 55mm. Body dimensions: 48mm × 12mm × 0.3mm. The braid is supplied in a 25-meter continuous length per package. The material consists of tinned copper strands, offering excellent corrosion resistance and solderability. The E2UK designation indicates compliance with specific industrial standards for EMI shielding applications. The braid is manufactured according to HELUKABEL quality standards, ensuring consistent strand tension and coverage density.

Key Features

• Expandable inner diameter: 40 to 55mm for versatile cable bundle accommodation

• Tinned copper strands for corrosion resistance and high conductivity

• 25-meter continuous length for extended cabling runs

• EMI and RFI shielding for signal integrity in industrial environments

• Mechanical protection against abrasion and sharp edges

• Flexible braid construction for easy installation around bends

• E2UK industrial qualification

Construction and Material

The braid is constructed from multiple tinned copper strands woven in a tubular configuration. This design allows the sleeve to expand radially while maintaining consistent shielding coverage over the cable bundle. The tinned finish prevents oxidation and ensures reliable electrical contact for grounding at termination points. The weave density provides approximately 80% optical coverage, sufficient for most industrial EMI shielding requirements. Strand gauge is selected to balance flexibility with mechanical strength, resisting tear and fraying during installation. The braid does not contain any adhesive or lining, allowing free axial movement along cables during routing.

Shielding Performance

When properly grounded at both ends or at a single point (depending on application), the braid provides effective attenuation of conducted and radiated electromagnetic interference. The tinned copper material exhibits low DC resistance, ensuring a low-impedance path for induced noise currents. Shielding effectiveness is typically 50 to 80 dB over the frequency range of 1 MHz to 1000 MHz, depending on coverage density and grounding method. This performance is suitable for protecting analog signals, communication bus lines, and high-speed digital signals from interference generated by variable frequency drives, switching power supplies, and radio transmitters.

Applications

The PLC-40/55 braid is used in industrial automation environments including manufacturing facilities, process control systems, and material handling equipment. Typical applications include shielding of PLC I/O cables, Profibus and DeviceNet trunk lines, Ethernet industrial cables, and analog signal wiring (4-20 mA loops). The expandable diameter allows it to fit over standard multi-core cables (such as 20-pin to 40-pin control cables) and pre-terminated assemblies. The braid is also used for mechanical bundling of multiple cables to reduce clutter and improve airflow in control cabinets. Additional applications include retrofitting shielding to existing cable installations and protecting cables from rodent damage in outdoor or agricultural settings.

Installation

Install the braid by expanding the tubular structure and sliding it over the cable bundle. For pre-terminated cables, the braid can be expanded to pass over connector bodies and then contracted to fit the cable diameter. Cut the braid to length using standard wire cutters, taking care to avoid fraying. Terminate the braid using metal cable glands, shield clamps, or grounding pigtails soldered to the braid ends. For optimal EMI shielding, ground the braid at both ends with a low-impedance connection to the panel earth ground. In case of ground loop concerns, ground only at the controller end. The braid can be secured with heat shrink tubing over the ends to prevent fraying and improve strain relief.

Environmental and Compliance

The Braids PLC-40/55 is RoHS compliant, free of hazardous substances. Operating temperature range: -20°C to +85°C. The tinned copper construction resists corrosion in humid or mildly corrosive industrial environments. The braid is flame-retardant per relevant cable standards. It is designed for indoor industrial use but can be installed in outdoor enclosures if protected from direct moisture ingress. The 25-meter package is supplied coiled, and no special storage conditions are required beyond dry, indoor storage.

Conclusion

The HELUKABEL Braids PLC-40/55 E2UK copper braided sleeve provides a cost-effective solution for cable bundling and electromagnetic shielding in industrial automation. Its expandable diameter, tinned copper construction, and 25-meter length make it suitable for a wide range of PLC and control system cabling applications.