An electric cable is an imperceptible thing, but necessary in the house. Provides lighting, electrical appliances, heating and water heating and much more. Species, types and species are in the hundreds. It is enough for a beginner to know the most popular models.
Varieties and features of electric cables
The concepts of electric cable and wire should be separated, if only because their power indicators are different.
A cable is a product in which three or more insulated conductors are combined. They have additional protection from special materials: parchment, lead or rubber.
El wire is a product that consists of conductors united by a common casing. Their number can be from one to five.
Lived in electrical wiring
The core is often made of copper, since the current conductivity of this metal is high. It happens monolithic or consists of thin wires. The copper type of a stranded conductor is stronger and preferable for wiring, since there will be a large current conductivity with minimal heating.
There is one big minus: the inconvenience of using. The twisting of the veins does not give a complete connection, in contrast to the monolithic design. Friction during twisting leads to breaking, the cross section is reduced. In such cases, use connecting parts (connectors) with threaded clamps.
Without connections and fixtures can not do. However, stranded wires when stapled together look messy and lie crookedly. An open box is also not an option, as the conductive parts fall out.
Electrical insulation
Cable insulating sheaths are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material protects the consumer from unwanted contact with electrically conductive parts. In this case, the products are subject to:
- internal mechanical damage;
- surface breaks, kinks, twisting;
- excessive overheating,
- chemical oxidation.
This leads to a malfunction of the cable and carries a danger to humans.
To avoid disastrous situations, security measures are taken in the premises: the modern installation method involves laying wires in cable channels with different cross sections. They provide protection and visual control of the condition of products.
The main types of electrical wires
Wires vary in power level, goals, and application conditions. It is enough to understand 9 types to choose the one you need for everyday use.
PBPP wire (flat)
The most common wire for everyday life and laying power lines. Copper live parts allow you to connect a powerful load. It cannot work with high voltage (no more than 250 V).
PVC insulation hides solid cast copper core. The cross section of this design ranges from 1.5 to 6 mm2.
The wire is heat-resistant (up to 50 ° C), while it does not withstand low temperatures (up to -15 ° C). It is used when installing the outlet line in residential premises.
PBPg modification
Characteristics are similar to the previous type:
- immunity to heat;
- low temperature intolerance;
- withstand small voltage;
- cross section (up to 6 mm2).
It differs in a number of points:
- vein beam structure;
- high elasticity;
- prone to breaking or erasing;
- 2 wires included
The PBPTPg wire is popular in the domestic environment, due to its flexibility and convenience when laying it.
Aluminum core APUNP
The cheapest option for electric aluminum wire on the market.The core in a simple design with a cross section from 2.5 to 6 mm2 is recommended for use in temporary buildings and in schemes with low load.
Electricians note the only advantage - cost. But with constant use, this type can be dangerous.
Two- or three-conductor PPV
Current conductors or conductors in this modification are fastened with an insulating jumper made of polyvinyl chloride. The product itself also envelops PVC. The wire can withstand 450 V at a frequency of 400 Hz. Resistant to low and high temperatures in the range from -50 to + 70 ° C.
APPV brand wire
Similar in structure to PPV:
- resistance to temperature extremes;
- several conductors;
- the presence of braces;
- work with high voltage and frequency.
2.5 mm2 aluminum core reduces wire quality and price. It is used when laying the wiring of closed and open types.
PVC insulation PVC
Available in two designs: monolithic core and stranded (bundle).
The cross-sectional range for a monolithic core starts from 2.5 and ends with 16 mm2, for a bundle - from 25 to 95 mm2.
Popular for building electrical lines, as it is resistant to high humidity. Withstands from -50 to + 70 ° C.
Modification of PV1 - PV5
The characteristics and technical indicators coincide with the reclosure, only copper is used instead of aluminum.
It is distinguished by color insulation and the use of wire when assembling controlled cabinets.
PVC connection cable with PVC insulation
An electrical cord can contain up to five cores in a bundle. Power is an order of magnitude higher than that of other species. Cross section from 0.75 to 16 mm.
It is convenient to connect household appliances thanks to the color separation. It supports network operation with a voltage of 380 V and a frequency of 50 Hz.
PVA is flexible, moreover, it is protected from pinch and fractures. The temperature regime is limited (from -25 to + 40 ° C).
ShVVP flat cord in PVC sheath
Two or three wires are placed in a PVC sheath. The modification is flat, it looks like a flattened cord with two connected parts. There are varieties with three conductors and a multicore structure of the current-carrying part.
Convenient, safe for outdoor wiring. It withstands voltage up to 380 V with a cross section up to 0.75 mm2.
Varieties of electrical cables
VVG brand
Standard cable. Available in two variations: beam or solid structures. It can transmit current up to 1000 volts. Some models reach up to 3000 V.
Suitable for building power lines. The range of cores ranges from 1.5 to 5 mm. Temperature fluctuations keep from -40 to + 50 ° С.
Some modifications vary in insulation design, the type of metal cores (instead of copper - aluminum) and the shape of the cable.
Power KG flexible
The virtue is flexibility. GK power cable consists of four conductors (in separate series up to six) with insulation. It withstands a wide range of temperatures (from - 60 to + 50 ° C). Designed to connect power equipment.
Armored VBBSHV
Rugged cable withstands high voltage. Current conductors are beam and solid conductors with ranges of 50-240 mm2 and 16-50 mm2, respectively.
The structure of the cable insulation is complex: belt insulation with a tape screen, steel armor, bitumen and PVC. There are varieties with aluminum conductors. Do not burn and do not emit harmful substances when heated.
