Difference Between Electrical Wires and Cables
The wire is made up of a single metallic conductor that will conduct electricity. The cable is made up of a bundle of conductive wires.
Both conduct current in the same way and have the same current capacity. The biggest difference between wires and cables is that wires are more rigid while cables are more flexible
Wires and cables can be differentiated according to the size, thickness and electrical load they can support. They have different classes. The class will determine whether the copper conductor is a wire, a rigid cable or a flexible cable. The higher the class, the more flexible it is.
Class 1 consists of a single solid conductor (wire) and Class 2 consists of stranded conductors (rigid cables). For flexible conductors there are Classes 4, 5 and 6. Class 6 is more flexible than 5, and Class 5 is more flexible than 4.
Below we list the types of wires and cables available on the market, which you can find at Leroy Merlin.
Wires
Wires are made up of a single metallic conductor that will conduct electricity. Lighting structures, for example, require wires with a thinner thickness – typically 1.5 mm.
The definition of this number is based on the amount of current it will have to withstand.
Energy cable
Power cables have the function of conducting electrical current from the main point of the house to the others. They are commonly made of copper, which is a great transmitter of energy. It is also common to find a layer of tin around the conductive core, responsible for slowing down decomposition.
When purchasing power cables, pay attention to the different thicknesses. Consult an electrician.
