Electrical wires must be installed correctly to keep the electricity running safely through your home. More often than not, people tend to overlook the electricity aspect while designing or revamping a home. To enable proper flow of electricity you need wires and cables. Electrical wires are generally made of aluminium or copper, these are then insulated with a sheath to bring electricity to various parts of your home. The selection of the electrical wires for a house also depends on numerous factors like the price, colour coding and types among others.
If you are planning to design your house, knowing about the electrical wires will certainly make your job easy. You must have a basic knowledge of the types of electrical wires used in residences and commercial spaces.
In this article, we have discussed the main difference between a wire and a cable, the reason why wires are of different colours, and the most used types of electrical wires. You can also browse through our recommendations for the best electrical wires from the top electrical brands in India and send an enquiry to know more.
|
If you want to buy top-quality electrical wires and cables from the best brands, click on the link given below to check your options and submit your inquiries:
For more details, contact below: WhatsApp Number: +91-9967632127 (Only message; no calls) Email: support@buildingandinteriors.com |
Contents[show]
Image Source: Pinterest
Although the terms wires and cables are often used interchangeably there is a significant difference between the two. A wire refers to a single electrical conductor, whereas a cable refers to multiple conductors or a group of wires with encased sheathing.
Electrical wires are generally made of copper or aluminium. They are either covered in a thin layer of PVC, insulated or bare. If they have a PVC covering, the PVC is also colour coded to indicate if it is the ground, hot or neutral wire.
Cables on the other are a combination of hot, neutral and ground wires. These wires are bonded or twisted together with a metallic or non-metallic outer sheath to make a cable. Additionally, a cable is distinguished by the number of wires it is made of and its gauge. However, if many electrical conductors are twisted together without insulation, they are considered as a single wire.
| Also see: Modular Switches: Get any information (Quick & Easy) |
Image Source: Electronics Hub
To ensure the safety of users, it is essential to follow the colour coding guide for electrical wires as per the Indian government’s directive. The colour of a wire also tells you its purpose. The old standard for electrical wires states:
However, as per the new standard,
When three-phase wiring is done, a combination of Blue, Yellow and Red is generally used for the active conductors. Additionally, while using wires it is important to be careful and treat all wires like live wires to ensure your safety.
| Also see: Top 10 electrical switches brands in India |
Image Source: Getty Images
A Nonmetallic (NM) cable is presently the most common type of cable used in a home. The NM cable consists of three or more individual wires generally wrapped together in a flexible sheathing made of plastic. The cable is made of a combination of hot, neutral and ground wires. Also, the cable is colour coded to indicate its type. Flat and tubular in shape, this cable runs invisibly within the walls, floor cavities and ceilings of your home.
| Also see: Top 10 electrical companies in India | Best electrical companies in India |
Image Source: Penna Electric
The Underground feeder (UF) cable is a nonmetallic cable specifically designed for outdoor fixtures and wet conditions. Similar to the common NM cable, the UF cable contains a bare copper ground wire along with hot and neutral wires. UF cables generally have a solid plastic sheathing which makes them comparatively more expensive than an NM cable. This cable type is also used for major circuit wiring where they carry high voltage power.
Image Source: Csijax
When circuits require less than 50 volts, low voltage electrical wires are generally used. Some common examples of low voltage wires are doorbell wires, speaker systems, sprinkler systems, and thermostat wires. The size of the wires generally ranges from 12 gauge to 22 gauge. Made with aluminium or copper, the price of these sheathed electrical wires tends to be comparatively lesser than other household wires.
Image Source: Norden Communications
Local bodies decide the type of cables which can be used for electrical wiring. Sometimes, they may not permit the use of NM cables. In places where NM cables are not allowed, you can use Armoured Cables (AC). Moreover, these wires are specifically made with flexible and metallic sheathing, which basically protects the conductors.
Image Source: Jypto Cables
THHN and THWN are basically the most popular types of insulated wires. These wires generally have single conductors and are colour coded. The wires also have tubular plastic or metal conduits. Used chiefly in unfinished areas like garages and basements. The letters in the name of the wire also indicate their properties:
Image Source: Cablematic
The wiring for the internet and phones particularly uses low-voltage wires and is made of copper. These cables generally use up to eight wires. The most popular type of cable used for this is the Category 5 or Cat 5 cable which also contains eight wires wrapped in four pairs. Although data and telephone wiring do not contain high voltage wires, you should still be careful while touching any wires.
Image Source: Element
The coaxial cable is a type of electrical wire made up of four layers arranged along a common axis. At the centre of the coaxial cable is the conductor which makes the first layer. This is then encased in an insulated plastic layer, which is further sheathed with a metallic coating. This metallic coating also has another layer of plastic insulation. Generally used for high-frequency signals these types of electrical wires can be found at the best price.
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
| E N Q U I R E H E R E |
|
If you want to buy top-quality electrical wires and cables from the best brands, click on the link given below to check your options and submit your inquiries:
For more details, contact below: WhatsApp Number: +91-9967632127 (Only message; no calls) Email: support@buildingandinteriors.com |
The correct electrical upgrade can transform your home and increase its aesthetic value. Therefore, it is important to understand the various types, the price and colour coding of electrical wires. Always select a wire which is specifically made for the purpose for which you use it. For example, a UF cable is perfect for the outdoors, while the NM wire can be used wherever the wire needs to be hidden.
Now, you know how to select the best electrical wires from top brands keeping in mind the types and uses. So, go ahead and submit your enquiries to get a buying quote and more details.
*The featured image used in this article is from Nickle Electricals
Stairs are a very crucial component of any multistorey building project, residential or commercial. Stairs are the building feature that…
The tile selection is one of the most exciting aspects of a bathroom makeover. When it comes to tile designs,…
Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024 saw a record-breaking turnout of 361,417 guests, surpassing the numbers from 2022 by 100,000. This was…
India is known for its spices and mouthwatering curry flavours. Thus, all Indian kitchens require a powerful ventilation system that…
Architecture and design are the soul of the capital city- Delhi. Increasingly, people are taking an interest in the design…
Planning to build a new home or commercial project? Are you aware that heat pumps can be the best solution…