I will be installing a number of cables and senors for a permanent monitoring system. I usually use the "standard" cable from CTC (CB102). However, the price is $1.13 per foot even when purchased in bulk.

What other options are out there for cables? Is another company cheaper?

That is an excellent price for cable.

Most use RG 58 U or standard CB radio cable.

I strongly recommend against using RG-58 or other coax cable for permanent installations. With a coax cable, the shield is part of the signal path; any damage to the cable jacket, and you'll have a degraded signal.

The CTC cable is hell-for-stout and will handle all kinds of abuse. Don't forget, it's warranted for life against any failure.

There is one option to lower cable costs and installation costs too for some permanent accelerometer installations. Say for instance, the accelerometers are on a cooling tower on the roof and the termination box is 75' away on the ground floor. Rather than run a separate cable for each accelerometer, a junction box can be used near the cooling tower and a single cable with severel twisted, shielded pairs can be run the bulk of the distance. This cable will cost a bit more, but you need run only one piece of it.

Spintelligent Labs would be happy to assist in engineering a cost effective solution.

Jon
www.spintelligentlabs.com

I tried (long ago) to make my own cables using the crimper and boot kits or mil spec and solder with bulk cable and I can tell you from experience that the premade cables with blunt ends from CTC are far superior and worth the extra few dollars. Not to mention that they have a great guarantee.

I thought about the coax but did not know if that would work or not.

I like your idea of the junction box at the location. I think that might be the best way to do it for this situation.

I have a pretty good supply of shielded, twisted pair cable, with a teflon jacket... I think I paid about $0.01 a foot for it from a salvage yard nearby... but I don't think I'm going to be selling it... Keep your eyes open; no telling what someone is going to toss out.