How do electrical cables work | Leading cable manufacturers

How do electrical cables work?

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Electric cables are the most basic components of any electrical system. The purpose of electric cables is to transmit electrical energy from one point to another. As one of the leading cable manufacturers, we shed light on how electrical cables work:

• What is an electrical cable? Often the words wire and cables are used interchangeably but the two are different. A cable is an assembly of a single wire or more wires bundled together. Cables connect two or more devices, enabling the transfer of electrical signals. Cables are used for a wide range of purposes and each must be tailored for that purpose.
• What are insulation and sheathing? While insulation isolates the flow of electricity, the sheath wraps around the outside of the cable. The overall performance of a cable depends on the choice of insulating material and sheath. PVC and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are commonly used to wrap electric wires as they are non-flammable, flexible and non-toxic. Additional layers of protection allow the metal wire to conduct electrical current safely.
• How much current can a cable carry? There is a combination of factors that determine the current carrying capacity of a cable. Some of the factors are:
  1. the cross-sectional area of the conductor
  2. The minimum operating temperature of the conductor
  3. the resistance of the conductor material
  4. the insulation material
  5. the installation method or environment
• What are the different types of cables? There are different types of cables such as power cables, armored cables, rubber cables and solar cables. All these cables vary in configurations and insulation, depending on their application. For instance, you will find power cables in industrial facilities and public places whereas armored cables are used in areas where there is a risk of wire or explosion.
• How are cables tested? There are different types of tests, predominantly destructive tests, that are conducted to determine whether the cable construction and materials are compliant with the industry standards. Destructive tests include corrosive and acid gas emissions testing, smoke density testing and insulation shrinkage testing. These tests are done by the cable manufacturers before cables are made available for sale. These tests are also conducted by independent laboratories or certification agencies looking to affirm compliance.

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Wire Gauge

Wires come in different sizes/gauges to work with the amperage of the circuit in which they&#;re used. It&#;s counterintuitive, but the larger the number, the smaller the wire.

The most common work gauge sizes you&#;ll find in residential work are 14-gauge and 12-gauge. Larger appliances such as electric stoves, electric water heaters, electric dryers and central air units will often use 10-, 8- or even 6-gauge wire.

If you&#;re adding an outlet, you need to use wire that&#;s the same gauge as the existing wiring. How do you tell your old wiring gauge? Here&#;s a simple visual.

For more information, please visit Type W Portable Power Cables.