In our This vs. That series, we're comparing (and contrasting) two seemingly similar products. In this article, we're going to be discussing the pros and cons of ordering standard and custom cable.

You know you have a lot of options when it comes to cable, but do you know how to decide which option is best for you and your project? Is it better to buy a standard cable or order a custom cable? Well, it depends.

If you buy a car standard, it will come with all the elements that are automatically manufactured with the model. This could mean a CD player, automatic locks, or even a sunroof. However, you can also buy a customized car. You can take the standard and add or subtract elements to suit your personal needs and tastes. If you would prefer an auxiliary jack input to a CD player, you can order it custom and end up with the car of your dreams.

Custom Cable vs Standard Cable

A custom cable works the same way as a customized car. There's a huge variety of cable options you can buy off the shelf. You may even find a standard cable that perfectly suits all of your needs. Buying off the shelf is convenient because there is usually a shorter lead time, but standard cable could leave you paying for properties you don’t need.

A cable may have all the properties you need for safe and effective use, but it probably isn't limited to those properties. The custom cable includes the properties you want and none of the ones you don’t, which means you only pay for what you need. A custom cable is also a good option for tricky applications when a limited selection of standard cables available.

With custom cable, you will have to spend time on the phone with a cable representative discussing project requirements and making decisions on which materials and properties you would like the custom cable to include.

You also need to leave more time between ordering custom cable and expecting the delivery. With custom cable, the company needs time to manufacture the product to your specifications, which causes a longer turn-around time. You can also add cosmetic value with custom cable options such as printing, hot stamping, striping, and dying. These custom cable markings simplify identification and make the cord more aesthetically pleasing.

As you can see, both standard cables and custom cables have advantages and disadvantages. Here at Allied, we offer a wide selection of standard cables, the opportunity to create custom cables from start to finish, and the option to design custom cables by altering off-the-shelf products. No matter what the project, you should be able to find (or design) the right cable to fit your needs.

To learn more, visit our custom cable page or visit our design center.