Chapter 5 - Wires and Cables: Classification and Usage

Wires vs. Cables

• Wires are conductors with a size of 3.26mm or No.8 AWG and smaller, typically made of a single copper or aluminum conductor.
• Cables are conductors larger than wires, composed of two or more insulated wires wrapped in a single jacket.

Classification of Wires and Cables

• Solid wires consist of a single conductor.
• Stranded wires contain a group of wires twisted to form a metallic string.

Copper or Aluminum Conductors

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 500mm² (Stranded and Solid).
• Utilized as bare wires for overhead transmission lines and ground wires.

Thermoplastic Wires (Type TW)

• Consists of a copper conductor, sized between 1.60mm - 500mm² (Solid and Stranded).
• Exhibits flame retardant, moisture, and oil-resistant properties.
• Suited for building wiring in both dry and wet conditions.

Heat, Moisture Resistant, and Flame Retardant Cable (Type THW)

• Typically constructed with seven strands of conductors in a cable.
• Used for building wiring in dry or wet locations.

Thermoplastic-Covered Fixture Wire (Type TF)

• Available in sizes from 0.60mm - 0.30mm² (Solid and Stranded).
• Suited for wiring lighting fixtures and as terminal wires.

Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (Type NM)

• Features a conductor sized between 1.60mm - 2.60mm (Solid).
• Composed of 2 or 3 conductors inside the cable.
• Used for exposed or concealed installation in buildings.

Copper or Aluminum PE Insulated Wire

• Sizes range from 2.60mm - 1,000MCM.
• Possesses weather-resistant properties.
• Used as line wire and for primary distribution.

Flat Cord (Type SPT)

• Sizes range from 1.02mm - 1.60mm (Stranded).
• Constructed with two sets of stranded conductors separated by insulators.
• Used for portable electrical equipment and extension wiring of a single bulb.

Air Conditioning Unit Safety Cord (Type SPT)

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 2.00mm.
• Contains two conductors and a ground wire.
• Used for wiring air conditioning units.

Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable (Type UF)

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 11.68mm.
• Type is jacketed cable.
• Used for direct burial wiring installations.

Thermoplastic Portable Cords (Types SJT & ST)

• Type SJT sizes range from 1.02mm - 2.05mm and Type ST sizes range from 1.02mm - 4.11mm.
• Composed of 2 to 4 stranded conductors.
• Used for wiring construction of portable motors and appliances.

Intercom Cable

• Size is 0.65mm.
• Shielded or unshielded, contains 3 conductors to 100 pairs, jacketed.
• Used for wiring interior communication systems and sound distribution.

Telephone Cable (Type CCP)

• Sizes range from 0.40mm - 0.91mm.
• Installation performed via aerial and duct type.
• Features color-coded conductor insulators.
• Used for telephone wiring.

Submersible Pump Cable

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 11.68mm.
• Type is thermoplastic insulated cable.
• Used for wiring submersible pumps in deep well water systems.

Hypertend 2000 Wire (Magnet Wire)

• Sizes range from 0.078mm - 4.11mm.
• Used for winding motors, oil-filled transformers, high-speed winding, and wet winding operations.

Service Drop Cable

• Sizes range from 4.11 mm – 11.68 mm.
• Construction includes an aluminum conductor with a neutral messenger.
• Used as a service drop cable.

Armored Cable (Type ACT), (BX)

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 6.54mm.
• Composed of 2 or 3 conductors.
• Used for wiring installation in buildings.

Welding Cable

• Sizes range from 1.29mm - 11.68mm.
• Is flexible portable cable.
• Used as wiring cable for electric arc welding.

Control Cable (Braided Type)

• Sizes range from 1.60mm - 2.05mm.
• Type is PVC insulated and jacketed multi-conductor control cable.
• Used for wiring installation of machinery controls.

Power Cable

• Sizes range from 3.36 mm – 1,000 MCM.
• Used for underground, aerial, duct, and direct burial wiring from 6,000 volts to 35 kilovolts.

Temperature Wire (Type HI)

• Sizes range from 1.02mm - 3.26mm.
• Used for wiring automobile engines and appliances with high temperature, and for switchboard wiring.

Royal Cord

• Sizes range from 1.65mm - 5.19mm.

Telephone Cable (Type ADT)

• Size is 0.65mm.
• Constructed with 6 pairs through 900 pairs.
• Installation is aerial and duct type.

Self-Supporting Aerial Telephone Cable

• Aerial telephone wiring uses color-coded insulation of conductors.

Machine Tool Wire

• Used for wiring machine tools, appliances, and control circuits.

Coaxial Cable

• Used for radio frequency antenna installation and radar receiver installation.

Appliance or Electric Heater Cable

• Sizes range from 0.65mm - 2.05mm.
• Used for wiring cord of heating equipment in dry locations.

Asbestos Covered Nickel Cord (Rockbestos)

• Sizes range from 0.25mm - 1.60mm.
• Used for wiring electric ranges, water heaters, stoves, and hairdryers where both heat and moisture resistance is desirable.

Direct Burial Telephone Cable

• Used for wiring the installation of telephone lines, with conductors having different colors on the insulations.

Durex Wire

• Building wiring, especially for interior wiring.

Steel Tape Armored Cable with Ground Wires

• General wiring installation, including underground.

Automotive Wire

• Sizes range from 1.02mm - 6.54mm.
• Used for wiring spark plugs and battery cables of automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles.

Duralene (Type WP)

• Type is polyethylene insulated line wire.
• Used for wiring installation of residential buildings.

Auto Cable PVC and Braided

• Used for wiring automobile lights and for hook-up wires.

Switchboard Semi-Rigid Plastic Insulation

• Type is stranded cable.
• Used for wiring switchboards inside power plants.

Service Entrance Cable (Type SE)

• Constructed with two or more insulated conductors with one or more bare conductors for grounding.

All Plastic Parallel Cord

• Used for wiring pendant or portable equipment or devices.

Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable (Type NMC)

• Type is multi-conductor cable.
• Used for interior wiring in dry and wet locations.