Electricity Cable: Six powerful facts you should know
Introduction
Electrical cables constitute either copper or aluminum, excellent for transmitting electricity. The
electricity cable has a thin PVC coating and is either naked or insulated. Today, almost every
element of our daily lives involves the use of electrical cables.
Electrical cables offer excellent solutions in a wide field. Some of the common application
includes industrial, house and home wiring. It also supports the transmission of phone signals in
telecommunications companies.
Electrical cables also offer significant in buildings, and construction sites. Other fields are;
airports, railways, tunnels, ships, maul, power plants and factories, and mines.
This article provides six tips about electrical cables that will help you understand the facts
surrounding electrical cables.
Figure 1: components of electrical cable
1. who is responsible for underground electricity cables
As a property owner is accountable for underground electricity cables around their house. This
applies to the cables coming from the meter and the wires attaching the weather head to the
meter.
Underground electrical wires can have issues if not in good condition. This may need the
homeowner to engage responsible/expert people to repair it. During the repair process, there may
be risks of injury, which need assessment from OSHA.
When there is an emergency, the owner needs to inform the responsible body. This can be via
police when calling the toll number. After that, police will contact the power distribution body in
charge of the network.
But the property owner will remain responsible for installing. They will also be responsible for
maintaining subsurface electric service. This is only restricted to connections to their dwelling.
Notably, it is advisable to inform the local authority before work begins. It is also advisable to
mark the area where work will take place with white paint.
This is to avoid possible injury of the electrical cables due to mishandling. Without engaging a
responsible body such as OSHA to access the area, you may attract some charges.
Figure 2: Underground electrical cables
2. Which electricity cable wire is best?
It is worth noting that material matters. Especially when selecting the best electricity cable wire.
Electrical wires and cables can either have aluminum or copper.
These materials have the requisite conductivity for performance. Hence, making them ideal for
use with wires and cables. Because of their low price and quick availability, they are the best
option. But depending on the applicability, an excellent solution is possible.
Copper wires are the best option for electrical cable wires. It is perfect for home or residential
electrical wiring. It is also suitable for electricity and power transmission. The electrical wires
made of copper wires are perfect for the transmission and distribution of electrical power.
These electrical cables and wires can transmit high voltages. This is useful in areas where
overhead wires are impracticable.
The copper wire cable is more conductive than other alternatives, such as aluminum. But if you
need a long-distance application, you should go with the lighter aluminum wire.
This is
generally available at a lower cost.
The electric wire cable length also dictates whether it is best for use. After choosing the electric
wire, you must find out some pressing issues. Especially, whether the cable supplier can provide
all several sizes. You should always avoid using an electrical cord that is overly long or short.
Another element that the best electricity cable wire must have is appropriate insulation. Your
electricity wire cable must adhere to the insulation standards. It is necessary to ensure the wire or
cables have insulation to protect against heat, fire, and water.
It is also worth understanding the types of electrical wires and cables. This is useful before
selecting the appropriate one for your project. For example, 4 wire electrical cable can build two
full electrical circuits. The 4 wire electrical cable makes full-duplex functioning with minimal
crosstalk possible.
5 wire electrical cables is a type of cable necessary for dealing with power drops. It is also
excellent for supplying electricity for mobile equipment.
Electrical cable wire manufacturers can provide best electrical wires and cables. Electric wire
and Cable Company can also help you get customized cables that meet your needs.
3 wire electrical cable is suitable for supplying two circuits. These include those that share the
ground and neutral wires.
3. What electric cable for outside?
The best electric cable for outdoor must resist elements weather and UV radiation. Most UVresistant electric cable is suitable for outdoor usage. But, they cannot work underground.
You must consider various environmental factors while selecting an electrical wire cable. For
instance, it is safe to use an outdoor waterproof electric cable if you plan to bury your wire in the
ground. There are cables are available in direct burial and outdoor rated versions.
The outer layers of the cable must protect it from environmental factors. These factors include
mechanical harm, and water damage. Other factors include temperature fluctuations, rodent or
insect assault, and UV.
Armoured wire for electric cable is one of the electricity cables suitable for outdoor use. It
provides excellent options for home and light industrial wiring. This electricity cable is perfect
for use in cable ducting and power networks. Armoured wire for electric cable is also applicable
in underground systems. It is also suitable and outdoor and interior applications.
Electrical wire and cable suppliers can provide different electric cable wire brands. You find
these suppliers and wire and cable your way with electric cable wire colors.
An electrical wire cable tray is a mechanical support system. It offers a robust structure for
electrical wires and cables. This is assist in for electric power distribution. It also helps in
control, signal measurement, and communication.
In the electrical wiring of buildings, an electrical wire cable tray system is perfect for supporting
insulated electric wires and cables. This is necessary for power distribution and communication.
Figure 3: UV shielded and waterproof electrical cable
4. How much does electrical cable cost?
Electric wire cable price varies with the different types. The electrical cable price varies
depending on the cable size. For instance, a 6mm electrical cable costs USD 0.43 per million.
35mm electrical cable costs $2.37 per meter.
Larger sizes incur more prices. Before selecting the electrical cable cost, you can compare
electrical wire prices. Various electrical wire and cable manufacturers
When looking for electrical wire for sale, visit the manufacturers' websites. For instance, an
electrical wire for the house may exist with these manufacturers. But the prices may be at
different prices that now depend on your budget.
You may prevent necessary repairs and unforeseen downtime with the help of several
manufacturers' industrial electric wire and cable solutions. To get the electrical cable wire price
list, visit various manufacturers' websites. Contacting their suppliers can help you get a list of
prices. You can compare the price of cables and decide on a least budget you can afford.
Also, the prices provided by electrical wire wholesale and home depot electrical can be
inexpensive. Other electrical cables for outlet are also available in various factories. For instance,
an electrical wire flat cable factory provides flat electrical cables, with other styles available
across other manufacturing companies.
Figure 4: Installation of electrical cables
5. How can I calculate electricity cable size?
The formula for calculating the size of the electricity cable is the ratio of voltage flowing through
the cable and the target voltage. For instance, divide (180/ 60) if your wire has a voltage-current
of 180 volts and your target current is 60. The answers after calculating would be the size of the
electricity cable.
Electrical wire & cable size calculator copper & aluminum helps you determine the appropriate
size. It helps in deciding on the sizes that are best for applications. The cable size calculator aids
in the understanding of the ideal fit size for home or industrial needs.
Importantly, you can get an accurate cable size using an electrical cable size chart. Before
making a choice, this chart provides you with the opportunity to make a wise choice.
6. Amps for electricity cable
The Amps for electricity cable varies with the electrical cable wire size. Each cable has a certain
amperage rating. As a result, load should not be greater than what it can safely support.
Installation location also affects the electrical cable amps ratings. It also influences the
efficiency of a particular cable in dissipating heat. An excellent example is when an electrical
cable is in an empty stud wall. These electrical cables wire sizes affects how heat dissipate much
more readily.
The amps rating vary when the electrical cables are under thermal insulation. The following
shows the rating as per the size. Table 1 indicates the ratings and sizes of the cable when not in
contact with wall.
Table 1: Amps rating when not in contact
Cable size
Amps ratings
1.0mm
8
1.5mm
10
2.5mm
13.5
4.0mm
17.5
6.0mm
23.5
10.0mm
32
Table 2: For clipped electrical cable, the amps ratings depending on the cable sizes
Cable size
Amps rating
1.0mm
15.5
1.5mm
20.0
2.5mm
27.0
4.0mm
37.0
6.0mm
47.0
10.0mm
65.0