{"id":1430,"date":"2019-06-05T09:01:42","date_gmt":"2019-06-05T13:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stvision.com\/machine-vision-solutions\/?p=1430"},"modified":"2023-05-16T17:41:14","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T21:41:14","slug":"machine-vision-camera-cable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stvision.com\/machine-vision-solutions\/2019\/06\/machine-vision-camera-cable.html","title":{"rendered":"What cables should I use with a machine vision camera?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>While not an exact figure, we would estimate that about half our client\u2019s problems with machine vision<\/a> camera connections, dropped frames, etc. comes back to a cabling issue. This is especially true for USB and GigE cameras.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In most of these cases, the issue is that the user is using a poor\/low quality cable that was not made for the high speed and\/or long distance demands of the application. Most inexpensive camera cables available via mail order are not made for use in high speed highly reliable data transfer applications. If your phone isn\u2019t transferring at the full USB3<\/a> bandwidth, you normally don\u2019t care. You probably don\u2019t even know. But when you purchase a high speed USB3 camera and you can\u2019t achieve its full frame rate, or you achieve it intermittently, this becomes a big issue.<\/p>\n

This is the reason 1stVision<\/strong><\/a><\/span> offers \u2018machine vision\/industrial\u2019 USB3 and GigE cables.<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 These cables are tested to specs, come with screw locks to prevent the connectors from falling out, use larger gauge wire, are over molded.\u00a0 They are designed to be twisted and bent (somewhat) and are industrial!<\/p>\n

Signal amplitude (the voltage of the signal in the cable) is a function of distance and frequency for cables. For instance, Ethernet is specified to 100 meters.\u00a0 So your cable should work when each device is 100 meters away.\u00a0 However, without the proper cable, you will not maintain the full 1000 Mbits\/s data transfer rate!\u00a0 You might only be getting 50% of the speed depending upon the distance without a high quality cable.<\/p>\n

Finally, consider the cost if your machine vision camera is part of an instrument or product that is being sold to your clients.\u00a0 We see far too many clients who try to save $30 on the cable only to find out that it is costing them thousands of dollars to trouble shoot a problem that can be easily solved with the proper part.\u00a0 Not to mention the cost to their client when the system isn\u2019t working, and a hit to their reputation of not building a reliable system.\"Alysium<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is our advice:<\/p>\n

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  1. If you are in an industrial setting, you are compromising the reliability and robustness of your system if you are not using an \u2018industrial cable\u2019.\u00a0 Even if you are not operating at maximum speed of the camera, you should have these cables.\u00a0 BTW, these cables are not that much more expensive mail order cables.\u00a0 They are in the 10\u2019s of dollars, but not in the 1\u2019s of dollars.<\/li>\n
  2. If you are using USB3 cables, you should really be using \u2018industrial\u2019 cables.\u00a0 Current \u2018inexpensive\u2019 USB3 cables are not reliable at over 2M, and only 1M for USB C connector types.\u00a0 If you are using USB3 specifically to get the higher speeds from this protocol, then you absolutely need to be using \u2018industrial\u2019 cables.\u00a0 Inexpensive cables are not reliable for high speed data transmission.<\/li>\n
  3. If you are in a lab environment, with the cable never moving, and only going a short distance, then a high quality \u2018inexpensive\u2019 Cat 6e cable will work.\u00a0 There is a difference between inexpensive Ethernet cables.\u00a0 The one that came with the security camera all folder up is NOT what you should use. A reputable mail order cable vendor selling high quality patch cables is OK.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    CLICK HERE to get\u00a0 GigE Cable specs and get a quote<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

    CLICK HERE for USB3 Cable specs and get a quote<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Don\u2019t be penny wise and pound foolish. At 1stVision,<\/a> we offer these cables not to enrich ourselves, there is not much profit in a $30 cable, but rather to make sure our clients systems work well.<\/p>\n

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    1st Vision\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera selection.\u00a0 With a large portfolio of lenses<\/a>, cables<\/a>, NIC card<\/a> and industrial computers<\/a>, we can provide a full vision solution!<\/p>\n

    Contact us to help in the specification and providing pricing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    Ph:\u00a0 978-474-0044\u00a0 \/\u00a0 info@1stvision.com<\/a>\u00a0 \/ www.1stvision.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Related Blogs & Technical resources<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Imaging<\/a>\n
    Quick Reference Imaging poster download\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n

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    Can I just get my camera cables from the internet (or why do your cables cost so much!)<\/a><\/blockquote>