Many people may not know much about wires and cables. Usually, people only know about the wires that connect home lights, mobile phone charging cables, and computer connection cables, etc. However, there are some differences between wires and cables. Even wires can be divided into many types. Today, I will talk to you about this topic.
1. The difference between wires and cables
(1) Electric wires are conductive metal wires used to carry current. There are various forms such as solid, twisted, or foil braided. According to the insulation condition, they are divided into two categories: bare wires and insulated wires. The difference between wires and cables is that the size of wires is generally smaller and the structure is simpler, but cables are sometimes included in the category of wires in a broad sense.
① Bare wires: wires without any insulation or protective layer. In addition to being used as conductors for transmitting electrical energy and information, they can also be used to manufacture components and connecting wires for motors and electrical appliances. Generally made of copper, aluminum, copper alloys, and aluminum alloys.
② Insulated wires: wires covered with an insulating layer. According to their use, they are divided into electromagnetic wires and general insulated wires.
In addition, there are various insulated wires suitable for special requirements, such as low-voltage wires for automobiles, high-voltage ignition wires for automobiles, motor and electrical appliance lead wires, aviation wires, compensation wires, etc.
(2) Electric Cable is an insulated wire composed of one or more mutually insulated conductive cores placed in a sealed sheath. A protective covering layer may be added to the outside, and it is used to transmit, distribute electrical energy or transmit electrical signals. The main difference between it and ordinary wires is that the cable is larger in size and more complex in structure.
The cable is mainly composed of the following four groups. Q Conductive core: Made of high conductivity material (copper or aluminum). Depending on the requirements for the softness of the cable under the laying and use conditions, each core may be composed of a single wire or multiple wires twisted together. Insulation layer: The insulation material used for the cable should have high insulation resistance, high breakdown electric field strength, low dielectric loss and low dielectric constant. Commonly used insulating materials in cables include oil-impregnated paper, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, rubber, etc. Cables are often categorized by insulation material, such as oil-impregnated paper insulated cable, polyvinyl chloride cable, and cross-linked polyethylene cable. Sealing sheath: Protects the insulated core from mechanical damage, moisture, humidity, chemicals, and light. For moisture-sensitive insulation, extruded lead or aluminum sheaths are typically used. Protective covering: Protects the sealing sheath from mechanical damage. Galvanized steel tape, steel wire, or copper tape or wire are typically wrapped around the sheath (called armored cable). The armor also shields the electric field and prevents external electromagnetic interference. To protect the steel tape and wire from corrosion by the surrounding medium, they are typically coated with asphalt or wrapped with impregnated jute or extruded polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride sheaths.
Cables can be categorized by their intended use as power cables, communication cables, and control cables. Compared to overhead lines, cables offer advantages such as reduced insulation distances between conductors, reduced space requirements, and underground installation without occupying above-ground space, making them unaffected by surrounding environmental pollution. They also offer high power transmission reliability and minimal disruption to personal safety and the surrounding environment. However, they are expensive, complex to construct, require more complex maintenance, and are more difficult to manufacture. Therefore, cables are primarily used in densely populated areas, areas with densely populated power grids, and areas with heavy traffic. Long-span overhead lines can be avoided when laying across rivers, streams, or on the seabed. Cables can also be used where interference with communications caused by overhead lines is essential, and where aesthetic considerations or the need to avoid exposure are important.
II. Applications of Wires and Cables
The primary function of wires and cables is to transmit electrical energy, signals, and perform electromagnetic conversion. Examples include power cables and overhead lines, which transmit electricity; coaxial cables, which transmit signals; and enameled wire, which performs electromagnetic conversion.
Electric cable; power cable: Typically composed of several conductors or groups of conductors.
Power Systems: Wire and cable products used in power systems primarily include overhead bare wires, busbars, power cables (plastic cables, oil-paper cables (largely replaced by plastic power cables), rubber-sheathed cables, overhead insulated cables), branch cables, magnet wire, and electrical equipment wire and cable for power equipment.
Information Transmission Systems: Wire and cable used in information transmission systems primarily include local telephone cables, television cables, electronic cables, radio frequency cables, optical cables, data cables, magnet wire, and power communication or other composite cables.
Mechanical Equipment and Instrumentation Systems: Except for overhead bare wires, almost all other products are used, but power cables, magnet wire, data cables, and instrumentation cables are primarily used.
Wire and cable are essential in our lives, and we enjoy the convenience they bring us all the time. The above is just a broad classification of wire and cable; there are many different specifications and models, which require extensive study.
