Wire is a single electrical conductor, whereas a cable is a group of wires swathed in sheathing. The term cable originally referred to a nautical line of multiple ropes used to anchor ships, and in an electrical context, cables (like wires) are used to carry electrical currents.
The basic key difference between wires and cables is that a wire is a single conductor whereas a cable is a group of conductors. Although, these conductors are made of a common material - copper or aluminium. Usually, the wires are bare and are twisted. But, some of the wires are coated with thin PVC layer.
Benefits of the PVC Insulated Wires for the Cable and Electric Industry
An inexpensive solution: PVC is a type of plastic and vastly used in pipes and several consumer and industrial products. It is the third most manufactured plastic. The significant benefit is its low costs. Some of its common usages include low roof ceiling what is called popularly as false ceilings, floorings, foam, toys, wall coverings, interior layer on several applications, playground equipment etc.
One of its popular forms is the PVC pipes made up of vinyl and plastic. It is used in sewer pipelines, water systems, irrigational items, underground wirings etc. IT holds up well against heat, water, acids, ozone, solvents, alkali etc.
Insulated wires and cables are non-conducive material that offers high resistance to electric current. The insulation protects the wire /cable from the exterior. Due to the insulation, the wire gets protection from getting in contact with the other conductors, keeps it away from any environmental pressures and controls electric leakage.
High flexibility:
One of the primary reasons why many of the manufacturers, as well as consumers, prefer the PVC insulated wires is due to its versatility. They are recyclable and simple to modify its shape with plasticizers, lubricants and similar. They are extremely durable and have high longevity. Several manufacturers are confident of its everlasting strength and consider it indestructible.
Extreme durability:
The PVC insulated wires like the other copper wire types are sturdy and robustly built and yet very supple. The wire is highly corrosion-resistant, rustproof, and offers dimensional precision. Though lightweight and portable, this type of wire is ductile and resists abrasion.
Very safe to use:
Another reason for its wide usage is its shock absorbing capabilities. It is resistant to water, moisture, flames, heat and highly dependable type of wire. The product is tested several times for safety and quality by qualified technical personnel before it is released into the market. The wire is used in almost all types of kitchen gadgets and appliances. It is safe for medicinal and food product use as it is odorless and nontoxic. Thus, the PVC insulated wires are nowadays being preferred by consumers and the manufacturing units in different industries.
Customizable:
The wire is flexible and can be molded into any shape and in case you are in need of the product in bulk quantities you can get it customized into any shape and size that you think may suit your business. It becomes more cost-effective if the order is in large quantity. They are easy to use and are applied on a vast scale in household goods. The PVC insulated wires is used in the manufacturing of commercial products including panel boards, electric motors, control cables, power transformers.
Wiring safety codes are intended to protect people and buildings from electrical shock and fire hazards. Regulations may be established by city, county, provincial/state or national legislation, sometimes by adopting in amended form a model code produced by a technical standards-setting organization, or by a national standard electrical code.
Electrical codes arose in the 1880s with the commercial introduction of electrical power. Many conflicting standards existed for the selection of wire sizes and other design rules for electrical installations.
The first electrical codes in the United States originated in New York in 1881 to regulate installations of electric lighting. Since 1897 the U.S. National Fire Protection Association, a private nonprofit association formed by insurance companies, has published the National Electrical Code (NEC). States, counties or cities often include the NEC in their local building codes by reference along with local differences. The NEC is modified every three years. It is a consensus code considering suggestions from interested parties. The proposals are studied by committees of engineers, tradesmen, manufacturer representatives, fire fighters, and other invitees.
Since 1927, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has produced the Canadian Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, which is the basis for provincial electrical codes. The CSA also produces the Canadian Electrical Code, the 2006 edition of which references IEC 60364 (Electrical Installations for Buildings) and states that the code addresses the fundamental principles of electrical protection in Section 131. The Canadian code reprints Chapter 13 of IEC 60364, and it is interesting to note that there are no numerical criteria listed in that chapter whereby the adequacy of any electrical installation can be assessed.
Although the U.S. and Canadian national standards deal with the same physical phenomena and broadly similar objectives, they differ occasionally in technical detail. As part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) program, U.S. and Canadian standards are slowly converging toward each other, in a process known as harmonization.
In European countries, an attempt has been made to harmonize national wiring standards in an IEC standard, IEC 60364 Electrical Installations for Buildings. Hence national standards follow an identical system of sections and chapters. However, this standard is not written in such language that it can readily be adapted as a national wiring code. Neither is it designed for field use by electrical tradesmen and inspectors for testing compliance with national wiring standards. National codes, such as the NEC or CSA C22.1, exemplify the common objectives of IEC 60364, and provide rules in a form that allows for guidance of those installing and inspecting electrical systems.
DKE - the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies of DIN and VDE - is the German organisation responsible for the promulgation of electrical standards and safety specifications. DIN VDE 0100 is the German wiring regulations document harmonised with IEC 60364.
In the United Kingdom wiring installations are regulated by the Institution of Engineering and Technology Requirements for Electrical Installations: IEE Wiring Regulations, BS 7671: 2008, which are harmonised with IEC 60364. The previous edition (16th) was replaced by the current 17th Edition in January 2008. The 17th edition includes new sections for microgeneration and solar photovoltaic systems. The first edition was published in 1882.
AS/NZS 3000 is an Australian/New Zealand standard, commonly known as the "Wiring Rules" that specifies the requirements for the selection and installation of electrical equipment and the design and testing of such installations. The standard is a mandatory standard in both New Zealand and Australia; therefore, all electrical work covered by the standard must comply.
The international standard wire sizes are given in the IEC 60228 standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission. In North America, the American Wire Gauge is used.
