Cable assembly is a group of cables or wires wrapped in the outer layer of a different product to keep the cables together. The purpose of the cable assembly is to maintain the organization of the wires and cables. These cable assemblies usually have similar functions to wire harnesses, but are designed for completely different environments. Most of the time, they are made of heavy materials such as vinyl, thermoplastic rubber, or shrink wrap thermoplastics.
The main difference between cable assemblies and wire harnesses is environmental factors. Manufacturers of cable harnesses tend to make cable assemblies more durable to cope with harsher environments. There are several shapes and sizes of cable assemblies. The outer protective layer is usually used to protect the internal wires from moisture, friction, heat, compression and other possible hazards. Cable assemblies may be the more expensive option, but they can protect the product under the most extreme conditions.