WAVELINK FLAT FLEXIBLE CABLE (FFC) FAQs
FFC is one or more flat copper conductors laid parallel in one plane and laminated between two dielectric films.
Typical conductors are rolled to 3 mil thickness and range in width from 11 mils to 62 mils depending on spacing and application
Conductors are made from oxygen free, annealed copper and may be bare or tin plated as required.
Typical dielectric films are polyester and polyimide. FFC can be made with thickness of dielectric and conductors customized.
Learn About Wavelink's FFC Offerings and More
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. We will provide answers to the most common FFC queries you might have. This section is designed to offer information and assistance on a variety of topics related to our FFC products and services. Explore the questions and answers below to find the information you need. If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to call our support team for personalized assistance. Your satisfaction is our priority.
Wavelink's Flat Flexible Cables have many advantages including:
- FFC provides a high density of connections in a thin flexible profile
- FFC speeds production on assembly lines.
- FFC offers millions of cycles to failure in high flexing applications such as print heads or clock spring mechanisms.
- FFC can be made in custom configurations combining data lines and power lines. Sections of cable can be cut and folded to make harnesses fitting specific applications.
The typical lead time for standard circuits is two weeks. Special assemblies requiring custom tooling may take longer, although our in house tool group makes us the fastest in the industry. There are no minimum order quantities. We’ll support your project from prototype to mass production.
FFC may be terminated in the following ways:
- Prepared to mate with ZIF style connectors and incorporating Wavelink patented Integral Stiffeners. Orientation of this style termination may be either same side bare or reverse bare.
- Crimp terminated with male or female pins or solder tabs. Pins may be either receptacle or male and provided with any number of housings.
- Prepared for direct solder to printed circuit boards by baring conductors on both sides of the circuit
- Discreet wires may be directly soldered to one or both ends of an FFC
We can make FFC to any length from 12 mm to 100 meters. Since cables are made to order, specify the exact length you need.
Wavelink FFC is a U.L. recognized component under file #E237578. Typical cables have voltage ratings of 90V for 0.5mm pitch up to 1.00mm pitch and 300V for larger spacings. Temperature ratings are typically 105 degrees C. See cable specifications for details. The U.L. style numbers for which Wavelink is currently approved are 2643, 20566, and 20890.
FFC can be shielded on one or both sides. Any combination of traces can be attached to the shield to isolate individuals or groups of conductors. The shield offered by Wavelink is laminated to the outside of the cable and consists of 0.5mil thick PET outer layer, adhesive, 0.3mil thick Aluminum foil, and 1mil bonding adhesive.
Yes, we'd be happy to provide sample cable. Just contact us or use the easy form to the right and we’ll be glad to speak with you about your application and provide samples.