Page 209 - Electromechanical Devices and Components Illustrated Sourcebook

Chapter 10 Wire and Conductors 171

Wire Type Common Application
Romex Home wiring
Coaxial Cable TV, Radio, High frequency, RF, Low signal
Lamp cord Lamps, Home appliances
Speaker cable Home and business speakers
Outdoor lighting cable Low voltage outdoor lighting.
Bell wire Low voltage, Telephone, Hobby
Fixture wire (TFFN) Commercial light fixtures
Machine tool wire (MTW) Internal wiring for commercial and industrial equipment
Building Wire (THHN) Commercial industrial power distribution, Conduit
Silicone rubber High Temperature (300°F Max.)
Hook-up (PTFE) Broad temperature range (−67° to +390°F)
High temperature High temperature (480°F Max.)
Spark plug Automotive ignition
Ultra high temperature (MG) High temperature (840°F Max.)
Continuous flex Motion control
Audio cable Low-voltage, shielded, Audio, Security, Control
Shielded Application that are sensitive to stray signals
Thermostat cable HVAC, Low-voltage control
Fire alarm cable High reliability
Thermocouple wire Connecting thermocouples
Multi conductor High and Low-voltage control
Aluminum armored Home and commercial power distribution
Plastic armored Machine hook-up, Splash protection, Vibration isolation
Direct buried Burying with out conduit
Marine Resistant to fresh and salt water
Reinforced Applications with high pulling loads
Magnet wire Motor, Coils, Solenoids, Electromagnets
Ribbon cable Low Voltage, Digital
Irrigation Direct bury, Low voltage
Chemical resistant Chemically active environments

Service cable Portable equipment, Vibration isolation, Temporary
Battery cable Low voltage, High current
Severe environment Mining, Construction, Tunneling, Field operations
Self retracting Manufacturing, Motion control, Telephone, Radio, PA

Figure 10-3 Common Wire Types and Applications

and are also available for higher-power applications. High- from two conductors through multiconductor. They are an
temperature conductor is used inside ovens and heaters or for excellent choice for machinery and equipment in harsh
environments where cooling is limited. Welding cable is environments.
designed to provide an extremely flexible cable for high-current, The single most common term applied to wire is gauge.
low-voltage applications. Spark plug wire is a low-cost con- The gauge of a wire is an indication of the cross section of the
ductor that is appropriate for voltages as high as 50 kilo volt. conductor. In North America, the American wire gauge
Magnet wire is used to wind the coils in most electric motors (AWG) is the standard that is commonly used. Figure 10-5
and solenoid coils. Coaxial cable is most commonly found for shows a size reference comparison of wire gauges between
cable TV hook-up and computer networking. Twisted, shielded 4/0 through 32 AWG.
pairs are intended for applications that are sensitive to stray Any wire used should be clearly marked with its various
signals. We’ve all seen the flat antenna wire used on TVs of the ratings and specifications, as shown in Figure 10-6. Generally
50s, 60s, and 70s. For the most part, this type of wire has been a wire is marked with its insulation type, maximum voltage,
replaced with coaxial cable. Thermostat cable is found in size, and number of conductors and its maximum operating
nearly every home and office in North America. temperature.
Figure 10-3 shows common wire types and their common Conductors are commonly supplied in either solid or
applications. stranded configurations. Solid wire is generally used in
Another common conductor is service cable. Service homes, offices, solenoids, motors, inductors, and resistors.
cable has a rubber jacket and is designed for portable com- Stranded wire provides greater flexibility and is generally
mercial and industrial applications. Figure 10-4 provides a used in equipment, industrial, and control cables. Figure 10-7
guide to common service cables. These cables are available shows a comparison of solid and stranded wire cross sections.