Overview

Belden 88760 is a plenum-rated, 18 AWG single-pair shielded control cable using stranded tinned copper (19×30), FEP insulation and FEP jacket, with an overall Beldfoil® shield and 20 AWG tinned drain. Key specs include 29 Ω nominal characteristic impedance, nominal capacitance 51 pF/ft (conductor-to-conductor) and 97 pF/ft (conductor-to-shield), conductor DCR 5.5 Ω/1000 ft, and operating temperature −70 °C to +200 °C (CMP). The non-plenum counterpart is 8760 (PE/PVC). [1]

Scientific Validity

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From the manufacturer data, 88760’s nominal capacitance (51 pF/ft C-C, 97 pF/ft C-to-shield) and low DCR fall within normal ranges for line-level analog interconnects. With typical runs (e.g., 2–10 ft) and common source/load impedances, these values are not expected to produce audible deviations when compared with other shielded twisted-pair cables of similar gauge. No independent third-party audio measurements demonstrating audible superiority over standard audio cables were identified; therefore, we treat the catalog specs as sufficient for basic transparency but not evidence of audible improvement. [1][2]

Technology Level

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The construction—tinned-copper 18 AWG twisted pair, aluminum/polyester Beldfoil® shield (100% coverage) with drain, FEP dielectric and jacket—is mature industrial cable technology. It provides chemical/thermal robustness for control/instrumentation but introduces no audio-specific design innovations, algorithms, or demonstrably superior electro-acoustic performance compared with conventional PE/PVC audio/control pairs. [1][2]

Cost-Performance

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Current US market price observed for 88760 is 3.81 USD/ft (cut-to-length). [3]
A truly equivalent-or-better alternative for audio use is Belden 8760 (same 18 AWG shielded twisted pair with Beldfoil®/drain; lower nominal C-C capacitance 27.2 pF/ft, which is equal-or-better for line-level applications), available at 1.81 USD/ft. [2][4]

Calculation (policy formula): 1.81 ÷ 3.81 = 0.475… → 0.5 (rounded to one decimal).
Interpretation: cheaper equivalent-or-better options clearly exist; 88760’s plenum/FEP features drive cost without adding audible performance for typical audio use.

Reliability & Support

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Belden maintains comprehensive datasheets, broad distribution, and consistent industrial quality. The CMP plenum rating and FEP materials provide excellent environmental margins (−70 °C to +200 °C) far exceeding consumer audio needs. Warranty/support are oriented to industrial deployments; there is no audio-specific validation program. [1]

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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Positioning a CMP plenum control cable as an “audio upgrade” lacks scientific basis. Compared with non-plenum, PE/PVC analog control/audio pairs (e.g., 8760), 88760 offers environmental robustness rather than measurable audio performance gains; capacitance is in fact higher than 8760’s nominal figure. Selling it at a steep premium for typical audio use is not rational when equal-or-better measured electrical performance is cheaper. [1][2][4]

Advice

Use 88760 when you must meet plenum code or extreme temperature/chemical requirements; in such cases its FEP/FEP build is appropriate. For home/pro audio interconnects where plenum/hi-temp is unnecessary, select Belden 8760 or comparable shielded twisted-pair with low capacitance to minimize cost without sacrificing transparency. [2][3][4]

References

[1] Belden (via RS Components), “88760 Technical Data Sheet,” https://docs.rs-online.com/d2a1/0900766b815b8526.pdf , accessed 2025-08-13. Key specs: 18 AWG (19×30) TC; FEP/FEP; Beldfoil® + drain; 29 Ω characteristic impedance; capacitance 51 pF/ft (C-C), 97 pF/ft (C-to-shield); DCR 5.5 Ω/1000 ft; −70 °C to +200 °C; CMP; non-plenum number 8760.

[2] Belden (via RS Components), “8760 Technical Data Sheet,” https://docs.rs-online.com/f9d6/0900766b8141f38a.pdf , accessed 2025-08-13. Key specs: 18 AWG (16×30) TC; PE/PVC; Beldfoil® + drain; nominal capacitance 27.2 pF/ft (C-C); CM.

[3] Wire & Cable Your Way, “Belden 88760 … per foot,” https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/belden-88760-18-awg-multi-conductor-single-pair-shielded-fep-insulation-300v , accessed 2025-08-13. Price observed: 3.81 USD/ft (cut length).

[4] Wire & Cable Your Way, “Belden 8760 … per foot,” https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/belden-8760-18-awg-1-pair-foil-shield-300v , accessed 2025-08-13. Price observed: 1.81 USD/ft (cut length).

(2025.8.13)