Wire Harness Assemblies
A cable harness, also known as a wire harness, cable
assembly, wiring
assembly or wiring
loom, is an assembly of cables or wires which transmit signals or electrical power. The cables
are bound together by straps,cable ties, cable lacing, sleeves,electrical tape, corrugated tube, a weave of
extruded string, or a combination thereof.
Commonly used in automobiles, as well as
construction machinery, cable harnesses provide several advantages over loose
wires and cables. For example, many aircraft, automobiles and spacecraft
contain many masses of wires which would stretch over several kilometers if
fully extended. By binding the many wires and cables into a cable harness, the
wires and cables can be better secured against the adverse effects of
vibrations, abrasions, and moisture. By constricting the wires into a
non-flexing bundle, usage of space is optimized, and the risk of a short is decreased. Since the installer has only one harness
to install (as opposed to multiple wires), installation time is decreased and
the process can be easily standardized. Binding the wires into a flame-retardant sleeve also lowers the risk of electrical fires.
Production
Cable harnesses are usually designed according to
geometric and electrical requirements. A diagram is then provided (either on
paper or on a monitor) for the assembly pr