There are many different types of electrical wires, and it can be confusing to know which one is right for a particular project. Fortunately, a professional electrician can help you choose the best wire for your needs.
Wires are used to connect appliances, receptacles, switches and other devices that draw electricity. Each type of wire has a specific role to play and should be chosen carefully.
The right wire for a specific task can be a key factor in ensuring the safety of your home. Choosing the wrong wire can lead to a variety of issues, including an electrical fire and costly repairs.
Electric wires are designed to carry a certain amount of voltage, and they must be installed according to electrical safety codes. These codes vary by country, region or state. The International Electrotechnical Commission is trying to harmonise wiring standards across countries, but they are still evolving.
House electrical wire comes in many different varieties, from 12 to 22-gauge, and some types are insulated or covered with cable sheathing. Low-voltage wire is used for devices such as doorbells, thermostats and landscape lighting that don’t require a lot of power.
Multiconductor cables are used for heavy appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers. They are made with a live, or hot, wire; a ground wire; and a neutral wire, which is encased in a plastic sheath. The type of insulation, and the sheathing thickness, determines how much current a wire can carry.
Wires are also available in different gauges, with 10-gauge wire being the smallest and 14-gauge wire being the largest. Depending on the application, different gauges are necessary to provide the required amount of current.
Single stranded wires are flexible and make it easier for the electrician to route the wire through pipes in walls. However, stranded wires can become damaged if they are repeatedly bent or twisted.
Solid wires are stiffer and difficult to bend or twist. They are ideal for applications where movement is not necessary, such as connecting lights to the wall.
The colour of the wires you use in your home depends on what device they are connected to. Black wires are typically hot, or live, while red and bare or green wires are neutral, or ground, wires.
Color-coding of wires is a standard part of the electrical code. While this is not a mandatory requirement, it does help to ensure that wires match up with each other and with the device they’re connected to.
In some cases, a colored wire may indicate a type of device that’s connected to it or that it’s a branch circuit. In most cases, the color indicates the size of the wire and its amperage rating.
Wires are rated by the National Electrical Code (NEC) to carry a specific amount of current, with a higher number indicating the larger wire size. In addition, a colored wire can indicate the insulation type or the sheath thickness.
Most household wires are insulated or encased in cable sheathing to protect them from the elements and from damage from contact with nails and other materials. It’s important to note that the sheathing should be of sufficient strength to support the wires and their connection. It’s also important to consider the temperature rating of the sheathing.