Cables

Copper is commonly used in electric wires because it conducts energy well. Copper is less expensive than silver, which makes the job easier. Aluminium is sometimes used in cable production since it is less expensive than copper. When several wires connect together to form a cable, it is called a cable.

Electrical cables are shielded conducting wires that are used in the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Connectors are used to connect electrical cables in a circuit. A cable assembly is a collection of cables and connectors.

A cable’s conducting wire transports electricity, while the insulator and sheath protect the wires from unexpected circuit pathways and chemical reactions. Cables are divided into several groups based on their unique applications and architecture. Coaxial cables, twisted pairs, optical fibres, patch cables, power cables, data cables, and other sorts are examples.

Components of a cable

A cable contains three components:

• Conductor: Electricity is transmitted through the conducting component. Copper and aluminium are widely used conductors.

• Insulator: The wires are shielded with insulating materials to keep the conductors isolated from one another and prevent unwanted current flow routes (e.g., short circuit). For this, a variety of synthetic polymers are used.
• Sheath: It’s yet another layer that protects the wires from chemical reactions with the surrounding environment. PVC is a common material for the sheath (polyvinyl chloride).

Types of electrical cables and their uses

Network cables: In a networking system, network cables are used to link various components. Different types of network cables are utilised depending on the size and structure of the systems.

These are listed below,

• Coaxial Cables: A conducting core is surrounded by another conducting layer in these cables (also known as coax). A dielectric or insulator in the shape of a coaxial cylinder separates the two layers. For protection, the entire apparatus is given an outer jacket. Coaxial cables are used in a variety of equipment, including televisions, radio transmitters, antennas, and many more, to transfer high-frequency signals with low energy loss.
• Twisted Pairs: Two wires are color-coded and twisted together. The twisted cable has a lower chance of crosstalk or interference than a pair of untwisted cables. Ethernet networking systems make use of these cables.
• Optical fibres: Glass cores are protected by protecting layers in fibres. Total internal reflection is used to transport light in these cables, resulting in nearly little energy dissipation. A cladding surrounds an optical fibre core. The cladding has a lower optical density than the core. The transmitting electromagnetic wave reflects numerous times in the core-cladding interface. Multi-mode fibre (short-range) and single-mode fibre (long-range) are the two types of optical fibres (long-range).

• Patch Cable: Patch cables are used to link or “patch” together various devices.
• Internet Cables: Ethernet cables are one type of internet cable (shielded and twisted). A computer or a game console is connected to a modem through Ethernet connections. These wires are used to send and receive data via the internet. “Crossover cables” are cables that can link two devices.
• Power Cables: Electrical power is transmitted using power cable assemblies. These can be utilised in buildings as permanent wiring. The power cord, extension cable, twisted, shielded, extendable, communication cable, and many others are examples of power cable types. These cables can be buried underground or used overhead.
• Types of Computer Cables: Computer cables are divided into two categories: power cables and data cables. The charging of a computer or laptop requires the usage of a power cord. DVI, VGA, or HDMI data cables are available. Multimedia is transferred from one device to another through data wires.

Ribbon Electric Cables: Ribbon Electric Cable is made up of a series of insulated wires that run parallel to each other. It is used to send numerous data streams at the same time. For example, it states that the Cable connects the CPU to the motherboard and is commonly used for networking device connections.

Shielded Cables: Shielded cable is made up of one or two insulated wires that are shielded by a woven braided shield or aluminium Mylar foil to improve signal transmission and eliminate inconsistencies in radio frequency power and external interference. High-voltage electric electricity is sent over these wires. It is guarded by a shield.

• Twisted Pair Cables: Twisted Pair Cables are made up of two or more insulated copper wires that are twisted together and color-coded. Telephone wires, in particular, use twisted pair cables. The resistance to external interference can be measured by the number of wires.
• Coaxial Cables: Solid copper or copper-plated steel conductors are used in coaxial cables. Metallic braid and metallic tape surround the plated section. An insulated protective outer covering covers the whole Cable. This type of cable is utilised in computer networking and audio-video networking.
• Fibre Optics Cable: Fibre Optics Cable transmits optical data signals from an associated light source to the receiving device. Optical fibre and its usage in a wide range of applications should be familiar to most people.

Classification of cables and colour 

Wires of various colours are used for various purposes. The colours in DC circuits are

• Red Wires are used for positive current.
• Black Wires is used for the negative current. 
• White or Grey is used for Ground wires.

For AC circuits (power 120/208/240 Volts),

• Black use in Phase 1 lines is coloured black. These wires are for power generation.
• Red use in Phase 2 or transmission wires.
• Blue use in Phase 3 or power distribution wires.
• White use in Neutral wires.
• Green or Green with Yellow Stripes use in Ground wires.

Conclusion

An Eclectic cable is a type of electrical cable that is used to distribute and transport power. Electric cable is used to transport high voltage when overhead lines are not feasible.

An electric cable consists of three main components, they are,  

• Conductor
• Dielectric
• Sheath

In an Electric Cable, the conductor supplies the conductor path. The insulation, also known as dielectric, withstands the service voltage and protects the live conductor from contact with other objects.

The Cable is protected by the sheath against external impacts such as chemical and fire attacks. It also protects the electric cable from moisture damage.