The purpose of electrical wires is to supply various electric devices with power and signals. However, when it comes to choosing electrical wires for equipment, many people are unsure which types of electrical wires are more suitable. To assist you in understanding electrical wire types and navigating the selection of electrical wires, our business blog explains electrical wire types and uses.
What are the different types of electrical wire？
Electrical wires come in a variety of forms and functions, designed for specific applications and environments. Here are some common types of electrical wire.
Speaker wire is an electrical wire that links a speaker to an amplifier, signal receiver, or other audio equipment, as an important part of audio system. Speaker wire carries an electric current from the amplifier to the speakers, allowing consumers to hear the sound. 
THHN wire, which stands for Thermoplastic Highly Heat Resistant Nylon-Covered Wire. Thhn copper wire is a heat-resistance wire that is utilized on homes and buildings. A nylon sheath protects THWN-2 to reduce the risk of the wire overheating and makes it water resistant.
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable, also known as UTP, is a popular type of network wire that transmits data between Ethernet and other electrical systems, which is very flexible and simple to wire. UTP cable is widely used to link computers, routers, and smart home appliances as well as to establish local area networks (LANs).
Multicore Cable
A multi-core cable is a cable that feeds multiple signals or power into a single sheathed cable. The core in multi-core refers to the number of available connections, not the number of conductors or wires. Multi-core cable connects audio and video equipment, such as speakers and cameras.
Shielded or screened cable is an electrical cable with an additional layer of shielding between the insulation and jacket of the wire. The shielding protects the conductors of the wire from unwanted electromagnetic interference and external influences. Moreover, it prevents the electrical cable from interfering with signals from other equipment, enhancing the integrity of the equipment’s signals.
These are brief descriptions of different electrical wire and cable types. You can now start finding different types of electrical wires in your home.
What type of electrical wire is used in homes？
People utilize different types of wires to connect various electrical gadgets at home. The following are the most popular electrical wiring types for a house.
House wire
As we all know, house wire is the best and most widely used wire for house wiring. Generally, people use stranded house wire with a stranded copper conductor insulated with a non-flammable PVC material wrapped around the insulation layer. BV wire is highly conductive, flexible, and simple to work with installation and wiring. Some typical house wire sizes for various purposes are as follows:
- 1.5mm2wire is used for light
- 2.5mm2wire is used for sockets
- 4.0mm2wire is used for Kitchen and air conditioning
Non-Metallic Cable
This type of cable, also known as NM cable, is by far the most common cable in modern residential homes. The NM cable is made up of three or more conductors protected by plastic sheathing: a hot wire, a ground wire, and a neutral wire. This cable may be placed in a conduit, a more robust encasing, if it is installed in a place with some external exposure.
Metal-Clad Cable
As the name implies, metal-clad cables have a strong metal outer casing and are mostly used in basements and other locations where the wires may be exposed to possible damage.
Ethernet Cable
This type of cable is also known as “category 5e.” However, you probably know it by its regular nomenclature, ethernet cable. This cable comprises multiple wire pairs wrapped up within a single sheathing and is exclusively used to connect phones, computers, or other audio-visual networks.
Lean More:Electrical Wire For House Wiring
What type of electrical wire is used for outdoors?
There are several types of electrical wires for outdoors. Since the outdoor environments are a bit harsher than indoors, the types of outdoor wires are different from indoors. Here is a brief list of two types of electric wires for your reference.
URD Cable
URD (Underground Residential Distribution) cables are specifically engineered for power systems, offering exceptional resistance against moisture and mechanical stress.
PV Cable
The conductor for solar cable is tinned, and insulation and sheath are double XLPO. Solar PV cable is UV resistance and suitable for outdoor. The service life for PV cable is about 25 years.
We must adhere to local electrical codes, use the right electrical wire types, and utilize cable for electricity safely whether it is installed indoors or outdoors. Next, we will look at the electrical wire types and their uses.
Electrical wire types and uses
Electrical wires exist in a variety of forms, but people do not know how to choose the appropriate electric wires when it comes to specific applications. Below is an electrical wire-type chart for reference.
| Electrical wire types | Uses |
|---|---|
| House wire | Lighting and power outlets |
| Speaker wire | Audio system |
| Thhn wire | Conduit wiring and appliances |
| Unshielded twisted pair cable(UTP) | Ethnet networking and internet connectivity |
| Multicore cable | Data and communication |
| Shielded or screened cable | Television and monitoring system |
If you have other applications where you are not sure which types of wires should be used, you can consult your local wire supplier or a professional electrician. Then, you can analyze the electrical wire replacement.
When should electrical wiring be replaced?
Many people do not quite understand when they should replace the electrical wiring. Below are a few situations in which electrical wires need to be replaced.
- Aging and wear and tear of wires: When an electrical wire has been usedfor a long period and shows signs of aging or tear, it should be replaced because continuing to use it could be hazardous.
- Corrosion: Long-time exposure to moisture, sunshine, or other corrosive elements damage the electrical wire, and it may even cause a short-circuit fire. Hence, it should be replaced at this time.
- Frequent circuit problems: If circuits trip, fusesare blown, causingpower outages. In that case, we should consider whether the wire is a problem and needs to be replaced promptly.
- Too large circuit current-carrying capacity: If you frequently use high-power equipment, you must constantly replace the wire or update the circuit to guarantee the safe usage of electrical wiring.
If you experience any of the above circumstances, new electrical wiring is required. In addition, as the electrical code locks change periodically in every place, the circuits must be checked and maintained regularly. Moreover, the right electrical wire types must be followed for the safety and stability of the electrical system in your home.
Electrical Wire Types Conclusion
Nowadays, people rely heavily on electricity, thus electrical safety is a top responsibility. Using the appropriate electrical wire types can improve safety and stability. Please look at ZW Cable if you need high-quality electrical cables. We provide a variety of electrical wire types and offer customization for specific wires, ensuring the quality and performance of electrical wires.
