High-Voltage Cables

Running cables in a spacecraft is time-consuming and difficult. GORE High-Voltage Cables reduce the frequency of this task by providing a minimum of 10,000 hours of reliable performance at maximum voltage ratings — ratings that are based on years of test data recorded under actual operating conditions.

Available as hook-up wire, ribbon cable or round cable, GORE High-Voltage Cables are specifically designed for applications that require high reliability for long periods of time, such as power supplies and amplifiers, traveling wave tubes, and high-voltage routing.

The key to the outstanding performance of GORE High-Voltage Cables is the proprietary material used in the cable insulation: expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Using this proprietary technology, we have developed a specialized Corona-Resistant PTFE. Gas molecules trapped inside the insulation can ionize and cause corona discharge when high voltages are applied, ultimately causing damage to the insulation, which in turn causes more gas molecules to ionize.

GORE® CR-PTFE allows the gas molecules to escape through the membrane without damaging the insulation. Because PTFE fibers are chemically inert and thermally stable, GORE® High-Voltage Cables can be used even at cryogenic temperatures or as high as 300°C for short periods of time.

To protect against the excess gases that occur during ascent into orbit, an additional jacket made of microporous GORE-TEX® fibers can be added to the cables. This jacket allows gas molecules and air to flow completely out of the cable, thereby eliminating the possibility of damage to the cable.
 

GORE High-Voltage Cables are typically used in:

• traveling wave tubes (TWTs)
• power supplies and routers
• high-voltage routing

Because of the cables’ high performance — drawing from the benefits of their Corona-Resistant (CR) PTFE insulation — the cables have been used on many critical space missions, including:

• European Communications Satellite (ECS)
• European Remote-Sensing Satellite (ERS)
• Hot Bird satellites
• Intelsat satellite communications
• RADARSAT satellites

For more than 25 years, we’ve provided highly reliable cable solutions for the space industry. The 100% success rate of our cables demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with customers when developing reliable and durable cables for these demanding applications.

GORE High-Voltage Cables feature a specially engineered Corona-Resistant (CR) PTFE insulation. CR-PTFE has many beneficial features — the material is:

• chemically inert and non-flammable
• highly resistant to electromechanical stress cracking
• available in wide range of AWG sizes

These features benefit manufacturers and users by providing:

• outstanding reliability in extreme environments
• long-lasting life because of specialized insulation
• reliable performance over a wide range of temperatures
• valued reliability delivered from an ESA-qualified and a DIN EN ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturing facility
   

Additionally, we provide superior sales and technical support from Gore’s worldwide engineering team. If you have any questions about the features and benefits of GORE High-Voltage Cables, please contact us

All GORE High-Voltage Cables meet these technical specifications.

Learn more about GORE High-Voltage Cables in a thorough data sheet and a white paper discussing the properties of cables that ensure peak electrical performance.