The different companies of wire and industrial cable usually represent their newest types of electrical innovation in a PPT format, representing the newest features. When it comes to the industry, nothing is untouched in the evolutionary process. The same applies to the technology used to make the wires. We have used wires and cables for our electrical needs since electricity paved the way for our spaces. People often use terms like wire and cable interchangeably. However, they are completely different from each other. The first way to separate them is to think of a wire as a component of a cable. Wires are used more or more widely than cables. To put it simply, a wire is usually a single wire or a group of conductive materials such as copper or aluminum; whereas a cable consists of two or more insulated wires wrapped in a sheath. The easiest way to tell the two apart is that the wires are usually visible, but the cables are usually insulated. Let's learn more about the difference between wire and cable.
- Electric wire
As previously mentioned, a wire is a single strand of conductors or a group of strands of conductors wrapped in an insulating sheath to prevent unwanted contact between the conductors. Wire is generally used to transmit electricity and telecommunication signals, but it can also be used for mechanical loads. Basically there are two types of thread, solid and stranded. 
While solid wire is actually a long, single conductor, stranded wire consists of several strands of fine wire twisted together. Solid wire has low resistance and is ideal for use at higher frequencies. Litz wire is more flexible and therefore lasts longer. For the same current-carrying capacity, stranded wire also has a better cross-sectional area than solid wire.
- Cable
A cable is usually two or more wires that run together or are glued, twisted, or braided together. They are mostly insulated to provide better protection than wires. Cables are mainly used for power transmission and transmission of electrical and telecommunication signals. There are many types of cables, such as twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, multiconductor cables, and fiber optic cables. If we talk about twisted pair cable, it consists of two cables twisted around each other and is mainly used for transmitting signals. Multicore cables, on the other hand, consist of many conductors that are insulated from each other and are used to protect signal integrity by reducing hum, noise, and crosstalk. Coaxial cables are made of inner solid conductors surrounded by parallel outer foil conductors and protected by an insulating layer and are generally used in television cables. Fiber optic cables help transmit signals through a bundle of glass fibers. 
Different types of electrical wire
Almost all electrical devices need different types of cable and wire with different specifications. Electrical codes officially refer to wires as "conductors," but for convenience, we'll just call them wires. Wires can be bare wires, such as for grounding and connecting electrical equipment and circuits. Or they may be covered with a material that provides only corrosion protection and does not qualify as formal electrical insulation. Most of you are probably familiar with colored wires encased in plastic insulation identified by the code. In the early days of wire, wires were insulated with black rubber. Today, they insulate with various high-tech materials that can withstand harsh environments and conditions. These may be underground, submerged in water, or exposed to sunlight, vibration, chemicals, or heat. Individual wires often have to be installed in metal or plastic pipes. The combination of wire and wire forms a complete wiring system. A cable, on the other hand, is a factory assembly of two or more bare, covered, or insulated wires, encased in a unified non-metallic or metallic sheath for physical protection. Unlike individual wires, cables are self-contained wiring systems and generally do not need to be installed in pipes. 
We all feel guilty about skipping the fine print in user agreements when we download new apps to our smartphones. But in reality, the information on the wire or cable is an important user agreement. It is important to use the wire or cable according to the electrical code and the manufacturer's instructions. Knowing this information can mean the difference between a safe or unsafe electrical installation. You can also get good compliments from your local electrical inspector for doing your homework and paying attention to detail. A lot of important information is engraved on a single wire. Here are some examples to see: Look for UL, ETL, CSA, or other markings that indicate the cord has been evaluated according to national safety standards. Size, in American Wire Gauge (the national standard for determining wire size), such as "AWG 12" or in millimeters. The metal type used for wire: CU for copper, AL for aluminum. Look for the type of insulation, usually multiple levels, such as: MTW type (thread for machine tools); Type THWN (thermoplastic/heat resistant, approved for wet environments, with nylon jacket); Type THHN (thermoplastic/heat resistant, approved for dry or wet locations only, with nylon jacket). For cables, the outer sheath contains much of the same information: the manufacturer's name, UL or other safety certification mark, voltage rating, the size of the wires inside the cable, the type of cable, and even the date of manufacture.
- Wire insulation color and size
To ensure safety and uniformity, electrical codes require certain wires to be a specific color. Green are strictly reserved ground and bonding wires. The equipment ground wire ensures that fuses and circuit breakers open and interrupt the current flow in the event of a ground fault. 
Patch cords connect electrical systems to other metal systems in your home, such as plumbing, gas lines, cable TV, and telephones. This ensures that there will be no voltage differences between any of these systems in the event of an unusual power surge or a nearby lightning strike. A voltage difference between two systems can pose a risk of shock. White is reserved for neutral. Hotwires can come in a variety of colors, but manufacturers have established common color schemes to maintain uniformity across the industry. The colors of wire you are most likely to find in your home are: Black or Red = Hot: Hot wires carry electrical current from electrical panels to switches, sockets, lamps, appliances, or other equipment. WHITE = NEUTRAL: The neutral wire carries the current back to the panel and completes the circuit. Bar or Green = GROUND: In the event of a ground fault, the ground wire provides low resistance and an efficient path for the fault current to return to the board. This trips a circuit breaker or blows a fuse and cuts off the current to prevent electric shock or fire hazard. A ground fault occurs when a hot wire accidentally touches a grounded object. If you remove the panel on the wall switch and the screwdriver slips off and makes contact between the hot screw terminals and the metal breaker box, which is a ground fault. Therefore, it is important to always turn off the power and use a tester to make sure it is off before working on a circuit. 
Different types of electrical cable
When it comes to the electrical industry and power transmission, different questions of all types may appear in your mind like: How do electrical lines work? A cable is made up of a group of wires coiled tightly around an outside sheath. Copper or aluminum insulated wires can be twisted or adhered together to provide a reliable conductor. Typically, cables are made up of wires, insulation, and an outer sheath that shields the entire apparatus. Since a cable's primary function is to transmit electrical energy from one location to another, insulation is crucial for the cable's safety because current flows through it. Due to their electrical resistance, PVC, rubber, or plastic materials are frequently utilized as insulation; polyethylene or thermoplastic materials are typically employed for the outer sheath. Due to their flexibility and great performance in a variety of applications, these materials are regarded as being of a top quality. Voltage ratings for cables are also based on the wire type and insulation thickness. In comparison to cables used in low-voltage applications, high-voltage cables often have stronger insulation.
- Cables and their various functions
Almost every environment, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings, uses cables. Wiring is frequently used where power is needed. 
The best cable will depend on the intended use and the required voltage among the many different varieties available. Basically, the three primary categories of cables are computer, power, and electrical. Wires may be marked as follows within each of these categories: Coaxial – This kind of cable is typically used to send data signals, including those from a satellite or antenna to a TV. They can be utilized in computer applications as well as for video transmission because they have a high level of isolation. Information is transmitted over fiber optic cables, which are made up of plastic or glass tubes, using light pulses. Applications for this kind of cable include networking, telecommunications, and the internet since they allow for faster speeds and more dependability. Flat Cables - These electrical cable types are appropriate for more compact applications since they are lighter and more flexible with regard to their use of space. They are also known as ribbon cables, and because of their adaptability in compact spaces, they are frequently utilized in internal computer systems. To get the best performance out of video or audio devices, including HDMI, Ethernet, network, and data transfer cables, composite or AV cables are employed. Composite cables are frequently needed for home automation systems. Depending on the required application, specific varieties, such as coaxial and fiber optics, are also offered in this category. Industrial settings frequently have high voltage applications that need for the inclusion of power electronics cables. Environments like offices with lots of big machinery and buildings with control systems installed are typical. To get the best performance out of video or audio devices, including HDMI, Ethernet, network, and data transfer cables, composite or AV cables are employed. 
Composite cables are frequently needed for home automation systems. Depending on the required application, specific varieties, such as coaxial and fiber optics, are also offered in this category. Industrial settings frequently have high voltage applications that need for the inclusion of power electronics cables. Environments like offices with lots of big machinery and buildings with control systems installed are typical. The majority of wire types can overlap with other classifications, and the precise type you want relies on a variety of variables. Although the majority of applications are covered by our product line, if you need assistance selecting the ideal cable, please get in touch with our technical staff, who would be pleased to assist.