1. Define the application and electrical load
Start by naming the equipment and the circuit. A cable for a starter battery, solar controller, inverter, forklift connector or RV accessory can have different requirements even when the connectors look similar. State nominal system voltage, expected continuous current and any short-duration peak current. If the cable is part of a protected circuit, include the fuse or breaker rating.
2. Specify the conductor
Record conductor material, cross-sectional area or AWG, strand construction when important, insulation type and required cable standard. Do not rely on outside diameter alone: two cables with the same diameter can contain different conductor areas. If flexibility, temperature, oil resistance or flame behavior matters, name the requirement in the RFQ.
3. Define finished length and tolerance
State where length is measured: conductor cut length, jacket-to-jacket length, center-to-center between terminals or overall tip-to-tip. Add a tolerance. For branched harnesses, dimension every branch from a common reference point and identify the breakout location.
4. Describe end A and end B
For each end, identify the terminal or connector family, gender, contact size, stud hole, keying, color, boot and orientation. If a connector must mate with an existing part, provide the counterpart part number or a physical sample. Photos are useful, but dimensions and mating references prevent mistakes that a photo cannot show.
| RFQ field | Example format |
|---|---|
| Application | 12 V RV auxiliary battery to fuse block |
| Electrical load | 60 A continuous, 100 A peak, protected by 80 A fuse |
| Cable | Tinned copper, 16 mm², red, flexible insulation |
| Finished length | 600 mm center-to-center, ±10 mm |
| End A | M8 tinned copper ring lug with red heat shrink |
| End B | Specified two-pole connector, red housing, contact size noted |
| Environment | Vehicle interior, vibration, -20 °C to 80 °C |
| Quantity | Sample quantity plus 500 / 1,000 / 3,000-piece price tiers |
5. Add environmental and mechanical requirements
Tell the supplier whether the assembly is used indoors, outdoors, in an engine bay, near salt water or in a moving vehicle. State temperature range, UV, moisture, oil, vibration, abrasion and bend-radius requirements when relevant. Also identify clips, conduit, braid, grommets, labels or protective boots.
6. Define workmanship and verification
Specify which characteristics are critical. Common checks include continuity, polarity, conductor size, crimp appearance, crimp height, pull force, terminal dimensions, finished length, label content and connector fit. If you have a drawing or internal standard, include its revision number. Agree in advance on what records or sample reports are required.
7. State packaging and traceability
Define unit packing, bag label, barcode, carton quantity and carton marks. If the assembly has multiple variants, provide a part-number rule and color or label method that prevents mixing. For repeat orders, record the approved sample and specification revision.
8. Ask for project-specific commercial terms
Request sample cost and timing, tooling if any, MOQ, production lead time, price breaks, payment terms and shipping basis. These figures should be tied to the construction and quantity in the RFQ. A change in cable standard, connector, packaging or test requirement can change both cost and schedule.
Next step
Browse cable and cable assembly references, review our quality-control framework, or send the checklist through the RFQ form for a project review.