The difference between wires and cables

The difference between a wire and a cable is that the size of the wire is generally small and the structure is relatively simple, but the cable is sometimes classified into a generalized wire. In the narrow sense, it is divided into wires and cables, which are generally referred to collectively as cables. So what is the difference between wires and cables?

A broad wire and cable is also referred to as a cable. A narrow cable refers to an insulated cable, which can be defined as: an assembly consisting of: one or more insulated cores, and their respective cladding layers, The protective layer and the outer sheath, the cable may also have additional conductors that are not insulated. A wire product used to transmit electrical (magnetic) energy, information, and electromagnetic energy conversion. Simply put, the wire is made up of one or a few soft wires, and the outer bread is made of a soft protective layer; the cable is made up of one or several insulated wire, and the outer layer is made of metal or rubber. .

Cables and wires are generally composed of three components: a core wire, an insulating sheath and a protective sheath. Each conductor of the cable can be counted as a single wire. This is the most straightforward difference between wires and cables.

1, the difference between materials

The wire is used to carry a current conducting metal wire. There are various forms such as solid, stranded or foil braided. According to the insulation condition, it is divided into two categories: bare wire and insulated wire. The cable consists of one or more insulated conductors that are insulated from each other and placed in an insulated conductor formed in a sealed jacket. The protective cover layer can be added outside. The difference between the wire and the cable is that the wire is generally small in size and simple in structure, but sometimes the cable is classified into a generalized wire.

2, the difference in structure

The difference between power cables and ordinary wires is mainly due to the large cable size and complicated structure. The cable is mainly composed of the following four groups. Conductor core: Made of high conductivity material. Insulation: The insulating material used as the cable should have high insulation resistance and high breakdown electric field strength. Cables are often classified by insulating materials.

3, the difference in use

Bare wires do not contain any wires that are insulated or protected. In addition to being used as a conductor for transmitting electrical energy and information, it can also be used to manufacture components and connecting wires for motors and appliances. Generally, copper, aluminum, copper alloy, and aluminum alloy are used. In addition, there are various insulated wires suitable for special requirements, such as low-voltage wires for automobiles, high-voltage ignition wires for automobiles, lead wires for electrical appliances, aviation wires, and compensation wires. Cables are used to transmit, distribute, or transmit electrical signals. Cables can be classified into power cables, communication cables, and control cables according to their uses.