What Are Common Types of Electrical Wires

Whether you operate a modern automobile, use a computer, or make a call with a phone, many modern devices and assemblies rely on the use of electrical wires to some degree for functionality. Electrical wires are conductive materials capable of transmitting electrical energy from one place to another. Such wires may be made from various materials, common options including copper and aluminum. As applications may demand varying signal speeds, voltage levels, signal types, and more, a variety of electrical wires have been developed over the years. To help you make an informed decision when it comes time to conduct electrical installations and repairs, we will discuss the most common types of wires on the market and their uses.

Solid Wires

Solid wires are those made from a singular strand of metal like copper, and they are found in electrical installations where flexibility is not required or a major concern. With their efficient operation in low-voltage applications, solid wires are regularly found within residential spaces.

Stranded Wires

Stranded wires are generally made up of several smaller wires that are twisted together, and this allows for more flexibility in comparison to the solid wire. Stranded wires are often found within high-voltage applications, examples including electrical motors, transformers, and generators.

Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cables generally come in the form of an inner conductor that is encapsulated within insulation, a metallic sheath, and an outer jacket. This is important for signal protection, as such cables regularly transport frequency signals like those used in cable television and internet connections.

Fiber Optic Cables

As a more recent and advanced option, fiber optic cables are made from bundles of plastic fibers or thin glass where data signals come in the form of light. With fiber optic cables, one can transmit data signals over long distances for the benefit of high-speed communication networks.

Thermocouple Wires

With thermocouple wires, two different metals are joined together, creating a junction where any generated voltage is proportional to the temperature at that area. Unlike other common forms of cables or wires, thermocouples find use in industrial and scientific settings where they are relied on for temperature measurement.

Multi-Stranded Wires

Multi-stranded wires are comparable to stranded wires, coming in the form of several smaller wires that are twisted together. Despite this, the way in which they are twisted together is precise so as to create a specific pattern. With their flexibility, multi-stranded wires are regularly found within the electrical assemblies of motor vehicles and appliances.

Common Applications

Electrical wires find use in a wide variety of applications, common examples including within power transmission, lighting, appliances, automotive assemblies, and industrial settings. Within applications like power transmission, wires serve to transmit electricity from power plants to homes and businesses through buried wires or poles. With lighting and appliances, electrical wires tend to connect fixtures to electrical power sources, and wiring may either be run through walls and ceilings or connected to a wall plug. With automotive assemblies, lights, engines, and electronics are connected together with ample flexibility and durability. Lastly, industrial wires tend to be used for attaching machines and equipment to electrical power sources where wires are subject to harsh conditions and environmental factors.

Conclusion

Whether you are interested in procuring wires for a junction box or are conducting power line repairs, it is always essential that you choose the absolute best products on the market to ensure safety and reliability. Here at ASAP Integrated Logistics, we offer customers access to over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items that trace back to leading manufacturers we trust, and all are available for purchase from us at any time. To begin, simply fill out and submit a completed quote request form as provided on our website for any items of interest, and a member of our staff will reach out to you in 15 minutes or less to provide a customized solution for your comparisons. If you have any further questions concerning our services, please give us a call or email at your earliest convenience so that we may assist you however necessary!

1. olivia johnson
2. Posted on February 3, 2023
aviation

Related Blogs