Kabelstam

Kabelstam is a term used in Dutch-language electrical engineering to refer to the central structural and functional assembly inside a multiconductor cable. The word combines kabel (cable) and stam (stem or backbone), reflecting its role as the core element that carries electrical power or signals.

In practice, the kabelstam denotes the inner grouping of conductors within a cable, which may consist of one or more insulated wires or fiber-optic cores. Depending on the design, the kabelstam can be a simple bundle of conductors, or a more complex assembly that includes filler material, separators, and moisture barriers to maintain spacing and integrity. The kabelstam is typically surrounded by protective layers such as insulation, shielding, armor, and an outer sheath, which provide mechanical protection and environmental resistance.

Applications vary by cable type. In power cables, the kabelstam generally corresponds to the conductor cores that are insulated and spaced within the cable. In communication or fiber-optic cables, it may refer to the central bundle of signal-carrying elements before outer coatings or jackets are applied. The term is not universally standardized and may be used more in regional or company-specific documentation; other common terms include core, conductor bundle, or core assembly.

Manufacturing and testing of the kabelstam focus on ensuring electrical continuity, proper insulation between conductors, and structural stability of the inner assembly. Quality control typically covers resistance, leakage, insulation integrity, and alignment of conductors within the bundle. See also kabel, kern, conductor, and kabelmantel.