Electrical wiring is closely related to our lives. Most people lack knowledge about wiring, making it difficult to discern which type of wiring is best. However, choosing high-quality wiring is crucial to ensuring safe electrical use in our homes. To address this lack of knowledge, the following article will explain how to test the quality of wiring and how to choose household wiring.
1. How to Test Wire Quality:
1. Check the packaging. Wire that meets national standards is often well-made, neatly finished, and feels high-quality when held.
2. Open the packaging and inspect the wire inside. For wires 1.5-6 square meters in size, the national standard requires a sheath (insulation thickness) of 0.7mm. Anything thicker is non-standard, and the inner core is likely to be insufficient. Pull the sheath firmly; if it doesn't tear easily, it's generally national standard.
3. Burn it. If it goes out within 5 seconds after leaving the appliance, it's flame-retardant.
4. Check the inner core. The brighter the inner core material (copper), the better the copper. The copper should also have a uniform, lustrous finish and no gradations. National standards require that the inner core be made of oxygen-free copper. Non-standard materials, such as black-rod copper, may pose a safety hazard.
5. National standards have certain requirements for the thickness of the inner core, but they are not very strict. However, the error is minimal and generally invisible to the naked eye.
6. Regarding length: While the national standard doesn't mandate metering, many manufacturers do. Metering isn't necessarily in line with national standards, and national standards generally don't. Non-standard metering is merely a tactic.
7. National regulations require that electrical wires be marked with certain markings. A maximum of 500mm will have the same markings, typically displaying the product's trademark, manufacturer name, and applicable standards.
Electrical Wires
II. Choosing Household Electrical Wires
1) Two Types of Ordinary Household Electrical Wires
Hardwire (BV) is primarily used for household electrical power supply, wiring, and installation.
Flexible wire (BVR) is primarily used for household electrical power, lighting, sockets, and wiring.
2) Choosing Household Wire Diameter
1. Power supply to the home: Generally, use BVVB sheathed wire (two-core) of 6 square meters or larger.
2. Power supply to indoor sockets, kitchen outlets, etc.: Generally, use BV2.5 square meters.
3. Lighting: Generally, use BV1.5 square meters (or 1 square meters) of single-core wire.
4. Air conditioning: Generally, use BV4 square meters or BV6 square meters of single-core wire.
5. Water heaters or appliances with voltages above 5000V-7000V: Generally, use BVVB sheathed wire of 4 square meters.
Choosing Household Wire Material:
3) Wire Quality
Currently, low-quality wire on the market often suffers from cutting corners.
1. Check whether the outer casing of the wire has quality certification.
2. Check the color and eccentricity of the copper conductor.
3. Check the wire insulation. The outer plastic coating should be shiny and bright. To determine wire quality when purchasing wire, please read: "Quick Methods for Checking Wire Quality."
4) Wire Price
① Wires and cables vary greatly in price. Prices of the same specification and model vary significantly between manufacturers and brands. Of course, reputable brands are more affordable and safer.
Wire and Cable Manufacturer Strength
② Reputable companies have well-known brands and possess comprehensive product certifications, such as the mandatory CCC certification and wire and cable production licenses. Products from these companies are often considered first when purchasing wire and cable.
I'm sure everyone understands the importance of wire quality and can imagine the potential harm caused by inferior wire. I hope this article will help you gain some knowledge about wires and be helpful. Choosing high-quality wire will give you greater peace of mind when using electricity in your daily life.
