Don't Make the Same Mistake I Did With Your Lapp Cable Order

If you're ordering Lapp cable and you don't have a pre-check list, you are going to waste money. Period. I know this because I've personally wasted about $3,200 over the years on preventable errors—mis-specified part numbers, wrong jacket materials, and the classic “it looked fine on the screen” disaster. So let me save you the trouble.

What You Need to Know First

The single biggest mistake people make with Lapp cable orders isn't a technical issue. It's a communication issue. People assume “standard” means the same thing to everyone. It doesn't. An OLFLEX 110 vs. an OLFLEX 190 might look similar in a catalog, but the difference in application (and cost) is huge.

A lot of people also think that expensive vendors deliver better quality. Honestly, I used to think that too. But the reality is the other way around: vendors who deliver quality can charge more. The causation runs the reverse. If you're paying a premium for Lapp, you should be getting the right spec for your environment—not just a brand name.

Here's a concrete example. In my first year (2017), I submitted an order for Lapp OLFLEX 190 cables with a PVC jacket. I assumed that was standard for a control cable application. It wasn't. The working environment needed an oil-resistant TPE jacket. The result came back with a $600 redo. 1,000 feet of cable, straight to the scrap bin. That's when I learned to always verify the environmental conditions first.

The Anatomy of a Mistake (Mine)

Let me walk you through a classic error that I made—and that I still see people make.

I once ordered 2,500 feet of Lapp UNITRONIC 300 data cable for a factory automation project. Checked it myself, approved it, processed it. We caught the error when the cable arrived and the connectors didn't fit. The problem? I ordered cable with a 0.25 mm² conductor instead of the required 0.5 mm². The difference in the part number was one digit. One digit. $1,200 plus a 2-week production delay. (Note to self: always verify conductor cross-section against the spec sheet.)

The worst part? It was a mistake I'd already made once before, but I didn't have a checklist. So I repeated it. That's the thing—most of the mistakes you'll make with Lapp orders are the same ones other people have already made. You just need to learn from them.

What Actually Matters When Ordering Lapp Cable

Based on my experience—and the mistakes I've catalogued—here's what you need to pay attention to.

The Part Number is Not Self-Explanatory

Lapp part numbers look simple. They're not. A typical OLFLEX part number like 1120120 includes the series, the number of conductors, and the cross-section. But it doesn't tell you the jacket material, the temperature rating, or whether it's suitable for continuous flexing. You need the data sheet. Always.

Environmental Conditions Are Decisive

I mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating: the environment where the cable will be used is the most important factor. Is it indoors or outdoors? Is there exposure to oil, chemicals, or UV? What about temperature extremes? I've seen people order standard PVC cable for a robotic arm that needs constant flexing. The cable lasted three months. (That was a $2,800 mistake for a different client—not mine, but I documented it.)

Check the Jacket Material

This is where a lot of people slip up. PVC is cheap and common, but it's not always the right choice. For demanding applications, you might need TPE, PUR, or special compound jackets. The Lapp OLFLEX line offers several options, and the price difference is often justified by the application. But don't just default to the cheapest option. Think about the long-term cost of a cable failure.

The industry standard for cable jacket material selection is to match the jacket to the environment. There's no single “best” material—only the right one for your job.

Why Online Printers (Like 48 Hour Print) Fit This Conversation

I realize this article is about Lapp cable, but the principles are the same for any B2B order—including printing. The value of guaranteed turnaround isn't just the speed; it's the certainty. For event materials, knowing your deadline will be met is often worth more than a lower price with “estimated” delivery. The same logic applies to cables: a guaranteed delivery date is priceless when a factory line is waiting.

Just like with Lapp, online printers like 48 Hour Print work well for standard products with clear specifications. But when you need something custom—like a non-standard size or a specialty finish—you might need a hands-on approach. The same goes for cables: standard products are great for routine orders, but custom solutions require more attention.

The Checklist That Saved Me (And Could Save You)

After the third rejection in Q1 2024, I created a pre-check list for every Lapp order. Here's what's on it:

• Verify the part number against the data sheet (not the catalog)
• Confirm the jacket material matches the environment
• Check conductor cross-section and number of conductors
• Review the temperature range and flex rating
• Confirm the delivery deadline is realistic (not just what you want)
• Get a physical sample if possible (or at least a high-res image)

We've caught 47 potential errors using this checklist in the past 18 months. That's 47 mistakes that didn't cost anyone money. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than relying on memory.

One More Thing: The “Expensive” Option Isn't Always Wrong

I have mixed feelings about premium products. On one hand, they feel like you're paying for the brand. On the other, I've seen the difference a quality cable makes in a harsh environment. The cheaper alternative might fail—and when it does, the cost of downtime far exceeds the savings.

Part of me wants to consolidate to one cable type for simplicity. Another part knows that customization is sometimes necessary. The compromise? I keep a primary spec for common applications and a backup for special cases.

But here's the thing—experience is expensive if you earn it the hard way. I've already done that for you. So use my checklist. Save yourself the trouble. And if you're ordering Lapp cable for the first time, ask someone who's already made the mistakes. (Ask me. I've got a list.)