When it comes to electrical installation, it is much easier to remember situations more routines, such as turning on a lamp or plugging in an appliance. But actually, it has a lot behind it. An example of this are electrical conductors, known as wires and cables, are extremely important for an electrical system and any item that needs electricity to work, after all, they are responsible for driving the electric current for the purpose of generating energy.

During construction or refurbishment, the electrician will not always be responsible for purchase these products. Whether for your home, apartment, company or office, it is important to understand which types of wires and electrical cables are suitable for each environment before you go shopping.

As they are not visible, it is more difficult to know the difference and functionality of each one. In addition, the variety of models is huge. The types of wires and cables differ from according to their resistance to electric current, millimeter and color, and their choice it depends on what your project and your installation needs. Making an assertive choice avoids problems in the future, such as power outages, short circuits or fires, in cases where the energy passing through the conductors is more than they can handle.

Solid Wire

This type of wire is made of copper and 750V PVC – a material that isolates electrical voltage, preventing it from transferring electricity to other materials. It is mostly used in electrical switchboards, sockets, showers and in simpler residential and industrial installations, where no wire flexibility is required.

Precisely because it is not very flexible, it should not be bent, since if this thread breaks, it can cause interruption of electrical current. This is also why solid wires are usually not the first purchase option.
The size of the nominal section of solid wires – also called gauge – which would be the wire thickness varies from 1.5mm² to 10mm². The larger the gauge, the greater the capacity of
electrical current, in amps, that the wire or cable will withstand.

You can increase the efficiency in installation without compromising on safety of your solid wires using the push-in terminal block connectors.

Flexible Cable and Rigid Cable

Like the solid wires, these cables are also made of copper wire and PVC insulated. Rigid and flexible cables are the most common and used in various electrical installations – indoor and fixed lighting, in residential, industrial, commercial, among others. They have the same energy conduction capacity and usage indications than solid wire, however, they differ in their flexibility.

The most common types of thickness are up to 750V and up to 1000V. To make a better comparison:

The greater the thickness of the PCV, the greater the ability to insulate electrical voltage. cables with 1KV (1000V), for example, are more used in industries and building network inputs. Flexible cables, for example, are easier to handle, since they slip on the electrodes. What can be a facility at the time of installation, depending on case and need. They are composed of thinner wires and can be folded.

PP Cables

This model has great flexibility and is widely used for connecting home appliances, such as a vacuum cleaner, and other more professional devices such as drills and welding machines. They are also used in the automotive market. PP cables are made up of conductors of copper wires. It has this name because it has two PVC layers, one inside the other, having two or more internal ends to make the connection. They are very resistant and safe.

Parallel Cables

These types of wires and cables are recommended for installing small appliances and laptops and lighting objects such as lamps and chandeliers. Parallel cables are also made of copper wires and are considered flexible. Its thickness varies between 2x0.5mm² to 2x4mm².

It is important to understand the differences in the types of electrical wires and cables and choose the ideal one for each installation, be it a house, a building or an industry. Each project has its specifications. Each one has an electrical wiring, in addition to ensuring that “things work”, also needs to be safe and secure.

Therefore, it is always recommended that a professional accompany you or help with those purchasing decisions! And especially at the time of installation.

Aluminum wires and cables are mostly used for high temperature and high voltage lines. They are used in more extreme situations and their specifications are also more technical.

You will hardly use it at home, for example. Also pay attention to the necessary footage that the project requires, so as not to make a mistake in the wire or cable extension size.