In this article, we will discuss basic information about wires and cables.
No one in the world knows all types of wires and cables.
But this is not surprising, because there are thousands of them. Of course, some of them are (large) highly specialized or outdated types and do not require full knowledge.
In principle, you only need to understand the basic principles of classifying cables and wires into different types, and be able to decrypt the markings and know when and what kind of cable or wire to use.
Let's say right away that experienced electricians may not find new information here, and this material is suitable for people who are not familiar with this topic.
Wire, cable, cord. What is the difference?
For starters, the difference is not obvious at all, but in fact everything is very simple. Let's see what is the difference between wire, cable and wire.
Cord
Power cords are most commonly used to connect devices to the network. They must be flexible and can withstand many bends. This is why they are made of copper, and the cord itself is a multi-wire copper conductor that can only resist repeated bending.
The cross-section of the wire is usually very small, rarely exceeding 4mm². Usually 0.35mm² to 1mm² is used at home, which is sufficient for most appliances. The length of the power cord rarely exceeds three meters.
The wire
Wires should be understood as multiple core wires or core wires connecting two components (parts) of a conventional circuit. The core wire itself can be a single wire or multiple wires, depending on the specific type of wire. There are many types of wires, they are bare, insulated, specially protected, reinforced, etc.
Uninsulated wires are widely used for power lines, and in all other cases, insulation types are usually used.
Cables
As can be seen from the above description, the wire can be almost anything. What is the difference between cables? Everything is very simple.
In cables, fill the space between current-carrying conductors to prevent them from sticking together. In addition, cables always have insulating layers, usually at least two layers. In addition, the cable can have additional protection, armor, etc.
Compared with best electrical wires and cables in India, it can be better protected from external influences. Depending on the expected use conditions, the protective cover can be made of different materials, but all cables must be at least moisture-proof, and there may be electromagnetic radiation and other protective measures.