Buyer summary
What to prepare before an RFQ
- Start with the mating interface and movement, not a fitting name copied from a catalogue.
- Identify End A and End B separately, including terminal orientation, mounting points and housing seats.
- Use photos, drawings and measured reference points to keep terminal geometry reviewable.
- Send the fitting evidence with the cable route, stroke, housing and quantity in the RFQ.
Common mistakes
Details that often cause RFQ rework
Using one fitting name for both ends when the assembly has different interfaces.
Photographing the terminal without the bracket, lever or mating hardware.
Assuming a ball, eye or threaded terminal is interchangeable because the cable body looks similar.
Sending thread dimensions without showing which reference face they were measured from.
Select a control cable end fitting by the interface it must mate with, the motion it must transmit and the way it is retained—not by the fitting name alone. Start at the equipment connection, mark End A and End B, then capture the reference dimensions that make the terminal reviewable.
This guide is for OEM engineers, sourcing teams and maintenance buyers preparing a control-cable request. It focuses on interface definition. The Wire Rope Assembly End Fittings Guide remains the broader reference for general wire-rope fitting terminology; this page stays focused on routed control-cable interfaces.
1. Describe the mating interface first
The same cable body can be paired with different terminals depending on the lever, bracket, actuator or adjuster. Before naming a fitting, photograph or sketch the part that the cable must connect to.
Record:
- The mating hole, pin, thread, slot or clamp surface.
- The centerline and direction of movement.
- The distance from the housing end to the connection point.
- Whether the terminal is fixed, pivoting, threaded or adjustable.
- The space available around the interface during operation.
If the equipment-side part is not available, mark the dimension as unknown rather than guessing. A sample or an annotated photo can keep the review moving while open points remain visible.
2. End A and End B must be separate
Control-cable assemblies often use different cable ends and housing ends. A single product name does not tell a supplier how the two ends are oriented. Use one consistent orientation in every photo and drawing:
| Evidence | End A | End B |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment connection | Show the bracket, lever or actuator | Show the bracket, lever or actuator |
| Terminal shape | Identify the visible geometry | Identify the visible geometry |
| Reference point | Mark the face used for length | Mark the face used for length |
| Housing interface | Show stop, adjuster, boot or seat | Show stop, adjuster, boot or seat |
Do not infer symmetry from a photo. If both ends look similar, label them anyway and state whether the cable can be installed in either orientation.
3. Common interface families to review
The following terms can help organize a request, but they are not a substitute for a drawing or sample.
Ball or barrel-style ends
Ball and barrel-style ends are used where a rounded connection engages a slot, pocket or lever feature. Show the mating pocket, entry direction and the dimension that controls seating. A ball diameter alone is not enough if the surrounding clearance or neck length affects fit.
Eye or loop terminals
An eye or loop provides a hole or loop for a pin, bolt or hook-style connection. Record the hole or loop opening, material thickness or sleeve location when visible, and the direction in which the terminal pivots. Include the mating pin or bracket in the photo.
Threaded terminals
Threaded terminals can provide adjustment or a direct threaded connection. Show the reference face, thread section, exposed length, locknut or adjuster position and the mating thread when known. Do not publish a thread size from appearance; carry unknown values into the RFQ for confirmation.
Clevis or pinned interfaces
A clevis-style interface uses a pin or bolt and often needs a clear view of the fork width, pin axis and approach direction. Photograph the full connection, not only the terminal tip. The bracket thickness and clearance can be as important as the terminal itself.
Stops, loops and housing ends
Stops, loops, ferrules, boots, adjusters and housing seats control where the cable locates. Identify whether the part is on the inner cable or the housing, and mark the reference face used for the overall or effective length. If the fitting is a separate loose component, state whether it should be supplied loose or installed.
4. Match the fitting to the motion
Terminal geometry must support the motion architecture. A pull-only arrangement may need a cable-end connection plus a defined return method, while a push-pull arrangement must be reviewed for movement in both directions and a supported housing path. Use the Push Pull Control Cable page for the product path, and keep motion direction, stroke and neutral position in the same request as the fitting evidence.
When the cable follows a flexible casing, the Bowden Cable Assembly route can help organize housing length, casing ends and inner-cable connections. The product route does not replace the interface drawing; it gives the buyer a place to collect the relevant configuration notes.
5. Dimensions that make a terminal reviewable
The useful dimensions depend on the interface, but most RFQs benefit from a consistent reference system:
- Terminal centerline and orientation.
- Reference face for overall or effective length.
- Hole, pin, slot or thread information when known.
- Exposed cable or threaded section.
- Stop, ferrule, sleeve or housing-seat position.
- Clearance to the neighboring bracket or moving part.
- Any angle or offset that changes installation.
Add a ruler, caliper reading, measured sketch or drawing view where possible. If the measurement is approximate, label it as approximate. The purpose is to identify the interface and expose open questions, not to create an unconfirmed catalog specification.
6. Photo and drawing checklist
Use the following evidence pack for each end:
- Full cable photo showing the route and both ends.
- End A close-up with the mating hardware visible.
- End B close-up with the mating hardware visible.
- Side view showing the housing seat, stop or adjuster.
- Measured sketch or drawing with reference faces marked.
- Application note describing the movement and installation space.
The Drawing-Based Cable Assembly service path is appropriate when the requirement already has a drawing. If the original cable is available, add the sample and photos through Sample-Based Cable Matching.
7. Control cable end fitting RFQ checklist
- End A and End B are labeled in one orientation.
- The mating bracket, lever, pin or thread is visible.
- The cable movement and direction are described.
- Housing ends, stops and adjusters are identified.
- Reference faces for length are marked.
- Known dimensions are separated from open measurements.
- Quantity, application and replacement/production context are included.
Use Request a Quote when the evidence pack is ready. A clear request lets the review focus on the interface instead of guessing which terminal name the buyer intended.
Common mistakes
The most expensive mistake is often a missing interface reference, not a missing cable keyword. A photo of a terminal without its mating bracket can hide the orientation, clearance or reference face that controls fit. Another mistake is using the same label for both ends. Finally, avoid turning an approximate measurement into a fixed specification; show the source and confidence of each dimension.
FAQ
Do I need to know the fitting name before requesting a quote?
No. The mating hardware, photos, measurements and movement description are more useful than an uncertain fitting name.
What if I only have a used cable?
Send the full cable, End A and End B photos, measured length, housing details and machine context. A sample can support the review when the reference points are marked.
Should a fitting be supplied loose or installed?
State the required supply scope. If the terminal is part of a finished cable assembly, include the installation orientation and any housing or stop relationship that must be maintained.
What is the next step after selecting the interface?
Connect the fitting evidence to the relevant product or service route, then send the complete requirement through Request a Quote.