Types and uses of cables and wires
Distinguishing Between Wires and Cables
There is no strict distinction between wires and cables. Generally, products with fewer cores, smaller diameters, and simpler structures are called wires. Those without insulation are called bare wires, while the others are called cables.
The purpose of every cable and wire is to transmit electrical energy from one point to another. Depending on the end use, cables can come in different types and configurations, but their design is always based on national and international regulations.
Electrical Cable Types By Their Application (Low Voltage Cable)
Cables used for wiring in electrical cabinets. These cables are particularly suitable for home use, installation in public places, and internal wiring in electrical cabinets, switch boxes, and small electrical appliances.
Power Cables
A type of cable suitable for industrial facilities and public places. Power cables are commonly used in various low-voltage power transmission applications, for industrial use and frequency conversion drives.
Armored Cables
For locations with a risk of mechanical damage, cables reinforced with steel tape, steel wire, or aluminum tape are typically used. Additionally, armored cables are frequently used in areas inhabited by rodents and in locations with fire and explosion risks, protecting the internal conductors and insulation from external damage.
Control Cables
Control cables for fixed or mobile devices are extremely flexible cables. Their applications include: small household appliances; connections of machine parts in manufacturing processes; signal and control systems; connections of motors or frequency converters; signal transmission where external electromagnetic fields may induce voltage that could affect the transmitted signal; or power connections to avoid generating electromagnetic fields.
Low Smoke Halogen-free(LSHF) Cables
High-safety, low-smoke, halogen-free (LSZH) cables are cables with low emissions of smoke and corrosive gases in the event of a fire. They are suitable for cabling in public areas, various installations in public areas, independent branch lines, emergency circuits, public power distribution networks, and mobile services.
Solar cables are specifically designed for connecting photovoltaic panels and for connecting the panels to DC-to-AC inverters. Their materials and outer layers possess exceptional radiation and extreme temperature resistance, allowing for safe and reliable outdoor installation.
Rubber Cables
A type of cable that uses rubber as both insulation and sheathing material is characterized by its flexibility, abrasion resistance, and water resistance, and is commonly used in mobile applications or harsh outdoor environments. For example, welding cables typically have a rubber sheath to ensure that high current can be transmitted between the welding generator and the welding electrode.
Fire-resistant Cables
Fire-resistant cables are designed to maintain normal operation of circuits under extreme conditions such as prolonged fires, ensuring power supply for emergency equipment such as signal devices, smoke extraction systems, audible and visual alarms, and water pumps. They are commonly used in emergency circuits in public places.
Screened Cables
Cables specifically designed to reduce the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). The shielding layer effectively blocks interference from external electric and magnetic fields, ensuring the quality and stability of signal transmission. They are widely used in signal transmission in fields such as industrial automation, communications, and broadcasting.
Aluminum Cables
Cables using aluminum as the conductor material are lightweight and low-cost. Aluminum power transmission cables are suitable for indoor, outdoor, or underground fixed installations.
Electrical Cable Voltage Level
Cable voltage is measured in volts, and cables can be classified into different categories based on their voltage rating:
· Low-voltage cables (up to 750V): Suitable for a variety of applications and featuring thermoplastic and thermosetting coatings. Their design and manufacture conform to unified standards.
· Low-voltage cables (up to 1,000V): (Also known as 0.6/1 kV), used in industrial power installations across various sectors (general industry, public utilities, infrastructure, etc.).
· Medium-voltage cables: Voltage range from 1 kV to 36 kV. They are used to transmit electricity from substations to transformer stations.
· High-voltage cables: Voltage from 36 kV onwards. They are used to transmit electricity from power plants to substations.
Cable Components
· Conductor: The medium that guides the flow of current.
· Insulation: It covers and restricts the flow of current in the conductor.
· Auxiliary components: Protect the cable and ensure its service life.
· Outer sheath: It covers all the above materials, protecting them from external damage.
Types of Conductors
· Bare Wire Conductor: A single solid conductor, not flexible, and without coating.
· Aluminum Wire Conductor: Although aluminum's conductivity is lower than copper, aluminum wire conductors are still used.
· Copper Wire Conductor: The most commonly used material.
· Flexible Copper Wire Conductor: It consists of multiple strands of fine copper wire wrapped with an outer insulating material. They are flexible and malleable.
· Single-Core Cable: A cable with only one conductor.
· Multi-Core Cable: A cable containing multiple conductors.
Cable Insulation Types
Cable insulation refers to coating the conductor surface with an insulating material to prevent current leakage. Cable insulation materials are mainly divided into two categories: thermoplastic insulation materials and thermosetting insulation materials.
1. Thermoplastic Insulation Materials
These are the most commonly used in cable manufacturing:
· PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride.
· Z1: Polyolefin.
· PE: Linear Polyethylene.
· PU: Polyurethane.
2. Thermosetting Insulation Materials
The most common are:
· EPR: Ethylene Propylene.
· XLPE: Cross-linked Polyethylene.
· EVA: Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer.
· SI: Silicon.
· PCP: Neoprene Rubber.
· SBR: Natural Rubber.
Types of Cable Metallic Protective Layers
In some cases, cables may have a metallic shielding layer.
· Screens: This is a metallic electrical protective layer used to isolate signals transmitted inside the cable from possible external interference.
· Armors: These are mechanical protective layers that protect the cable from external damage (such as animals, impacts, etc.).
Need Help Choosing The Right Cable?
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