Finding the right cable is crucial as it maintains proper connections in your electrical system. Without proper wiring, your system will break down quickly and damage the electrical components. 

Incorrect wiring also affects the electrical charge running through; therefore, it’s important to choose cable cautiously. To help you get started, here’s how to choose the right cable for your electrical project. 

Understanding Electrical Wiring

The first step to a successful repair or remodel is identifying the correct electrical wiring. The best way to do so is knowing which to buy and how to install it properly. 

If you want to take up an electrical project, learning the basics is a crucial place to start. You must also look at the terminology, the materials and equipment needed, plus any other special device.                 

Another element to keep in mind is the electrical codes. Almost every home today is built according to electrical guidelines that ensure the safety of the building. 

These codes also often tell you the identification of specific wiring to make the process easier. By keeping these in mind, you can get more comfortable repairing electrical wiring.   

What Is The Difference Between Electrical Wires and Cables?

While some people might use wires and cables interchangeably, they are quite different from each other based on their design and function. Electrical wiring refers to the conductor that carries current through its body. 

On the other hand, a cable is a regular wire with an insulation cover. This cover is crucial as it protects the wire from outside damage. In some cases, you can also find fire-resistant cables that immediately extinguish flames in an electrical fire. 

Armoured cables have an additional insulation layer for better exterior protection, making them perfect for underground installation.

Solid and Stranded Wiring

The two bare wires in electric systems come in solid and stranded varieties. The difference lies in the amount of conductors present in the wire. Solid cables have a single conductor or a single-strand wire. This type of wiring is more durable, but it lacks flexibility. 

A stranded wire contains multiple conductors bound together. Unlike solid wires, these are much more flexible and are great for locations where wiring bends a lot.                     

Tips on Finding The Right Cable

Once you know all the different cable types, you must consider how they fit into your electrical project. Here are some essential tips to help you find the ideal cable for your project.           

Installation Location

You can use cables indoors and outdoors, but consider the load served and the distribution system. Often, cable insulation gets damaged or weakened during the installation process because of pulling tension.    

Excessive bedding can also damage the wiring during placement. Consider all these factors when installing your wire in a specific location. Alternatively, you can find specific cables that work well with extra pressure and pulling. 

The Cable’s Construction

The interior components of a cable are crucial for its installation. Since each cable is unique, you must look at the inside parts to find the right fit. Two of the most important factors you must examine include cable arrangement and insulation. 

Cable Arrangement

Cables are arranged in either a single-conductor or three-conductor format. There are benefits and disadvantages to both of these types, depending on the function. Single-conductor cables are easier to install and splice. They are also ideal for creating multi-cable circuits. 

On the other hand, they are far more reactive than three-conductor cables and prone to overheating. Another great thing about the three-conductor option is the availability of ground wire. 

Insulation Covering

The type of insulation on a wire largely depends on the type and location of installation. You must also consider its operating temperature and service conditions.                      

Some locations have unusual conditions, such as corrosive spaces, rodent hazards or extreme cold temperatures. Identify any such factor in your desired installation location to find the correct cable sheathing. 

Determine The Cable Size

Size is another important factor that should determine which wire you need. To figure out the right cable size for your electrical project, you must consider the following factors:

• Current carrying capacity
• Short circuit rating
• Voltage regulation

Carefully examine all these factors to choose your ideal-sized cable. Circuit rating and voltage regulation are often overlooked in cable sizing. However, these are important for preventing danger to your property and electrical components.  

Domestic Cables Used In The UK

For domestic projects, you need specific cables that meet the standard electrical requirements. The general UK electrical supply reaches around 230 volts AC, so you must look for a wire that meets this standard. 

Here’s a look at some of the most commonly used cables in domestic electrical systems.

Twin Core and Earth Cables

This cable comprises two solid insulated cores with a bare copper conductor between the inner core. The cable has a PVC sheathing surrounding the inner components for better protection. Here, you will find the green and yellow on the cable’s sleeving.   

3-Core and Earth Cables

This wire is typically used to connect two-way switches. Inside the wire are three solid insulated cores with a copper earth conductor and an exterior PVC sheathing. 

Armoured Cables

As mentioned before, armoured cables are best used for transferring power underground or overhead. Inside this cable is a multi-strand cable with individual sheathing; on top of that, there’s an overall plastic coating. 

Depending on the application, the number of cores can vary from two to three or four. Always earth these cables at the supply end to prevent electrocution or turning the wire live in case of a fault. 

Communication Cables

A communication cable is a cable that transmits information through a current of numerous frequencies.       

Communication cables differ from power cables because power cables are manufactured for high currents and voltages. Power cables are used only for supplying energy; however, communication cables differ. 

These cables are designed for low currents and low voltage. Communication cables are commonly used for electronic circuits, data transmission, ethernet connections, and networking. 

In the simplest terms, a communication cable is electrical cable equipment that transmits information signals between geographically separated areas. 

These areas can be close to each other or far apart. A well-connected communication cable will send information signals quickly and efficiently regardless of the distance.   

Direct Burial Cable

Standard electrical cabling is designed for indoor installation, where it remains dry and is protected by ceiling, wall and floor structures. 

You should use a direct burial cable for outdoor installations or when you want to run wires underground. As the name suggests, these cables can be installed underground. 

You can also run there without a conduit, depending on local building codes. These wires have a solid vinyl sheath that provides complete protection from moisture. 

Fire-resistant Cables

There is a high risk of fire-related accidents in any location with many wiring mechanisms. To avoid significant power failures, power plants use a fireproof cable.    

If a building experiences a fire-related accident, fire-resistant cables allow emergency systems to function, ensuring everyone’s safety. 

Fire-resistant cables are critical for powering various emergency systems. You can find them in fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire detection, and voice alarm systems. Most manufacturers create fire-resistant cables with non-flammable isolated mica tape wrapped around copper wires to protect from a fire. 

Typically, regular cables emit smoke, which greatly hinders emergency efforts. However, with fire-resistant cables, you don’t have to worry about this issue. Fireproof cables are halogen-free, unlike regular cables, so they don’t emit smoke that ruins emergency procedures. 

What Is Electrical Wire Colour Coding?

Often, you’ve seen wire coated in colourful sheathing. This design choice is crucial for separating cables according to their function. If you’re doing a repair job, make sure to understand these colours to maintain a safe operation. 

Colour coding is used on both the outer sheathing of the electrical wires and on the separate conduction material within the cable. You can also find colour coding on the conduit of the wire. 

Learning about colour coding can help you determine which wiring is used where. These colours are also crucial for keeping your electrical system organised and maintained. 

Sometimes, cable colours also refer to the size of the wiring inside the cable sheath and its amperage rating. This is another great way to distinguish between various wiring and avoid hazardous situations. 

The colour on individual conducting wires doesn’t always indicate the rating or size but where and how it should be used. 

The colour for wiring often depends from country to country. In the UK and Ireland, you can often find information about wire colouring from electrical guidelines. 

Here’s a look at the standard wire colours in the UK.    

• Green And Yellow Earth Wire: The earth wire is a crucial part of an electrical system. It stops you from getting into hazardous situations, such as an electric shock. The earth wire creates a path for the current to flow easily. At the same time, the earth wire also prevents the current from travelling into a faulty circuit. This prevents the fuse from short-circuiting.    
• Brown Live Wire: The live wire carries the electric current from your appliance to the power supply. 
• Blue Neutral Wire: The neutral wire takes the current away from your appliance and into the main power supply. 

What Are The Old Wire Colours In The UK?

The colour coding you see today reflects a recent change to UK wiring. Older wiring had different colour combinations to fit previous electrical guidelines. 

You might still find these colour combinations in some older homes and buildings. The colour coding of older wiring systems in the UK includes:  

• Earth Wire - green and yellow but with no sleeve.
• Live Wire - Red
• Neutral Wire - Black 

The new wiring colour became mandatory in the UK in 2006, but many electrical systems started using them in 2004. 

While it may seem a little complicated to have two different systems, the new systems were created to match with other European countries, and the goal was to create a harmonised electrical wiring system in the region. 

Nowadays, you are more likely to come across the new wiring system instead of the old one. In April 2006, the government made a legislative decision to outlaw the use of the old colour coding. 

This law was highlighted in BS 7671, an important guideline for all electrical wiring. But, as we said earlier, some buildings still use the old wiring system, especially if they haven’t been updated. 

The guidelines don’t state those old buildings need to be upgraded; instead, any wiring system created after 2006 should always use the new coloured wiring.  

What Are Electrical Wiring Connections?

Once you’ve understood the basics of an electrical system, it’s time to look at the different types of connections. Electrical wiring connections are important because they keep your house powered up. 

Without a proper connection, you will face annoying interruptions or potential hazards. Here’s a look at two of the most important types of electrical connections. 

Single-Phase Wiring

Single-phase wiring is the most common way to make an electrical connection. You can usually find this type of wiring in a residential property. 

You will find the typical earth, live and neutral wiring in this system. In a single-phase system, you will only find one supply of alternating current with a voltage that varies from positive to negative. 

A single AC current works well in residential properties because lighting and low-voltage appliances are compatible with power variations. 

Three-Phase Wiring

Three-phase wiring is commonly used in industrial settings where heaving appliances take a lot of currents. This type of connection is less likely to experience faults when paired with higher voltage appliances, such as heavy machinery, etc. 

In a three-phase system, you will find three separate live wires. The current in each live wire is not in phase with the others, so it’s called a three-phase system. 

You won’t always find a neutral wire here, which means there are two combinations to look at:

• Five wire configurations - three lives, one earth and a neutral
• Four wire configurations - three lives and one earth

Imagine a three-phase system with three AC currents working together to ensure power is always supplied. Without this running supply of energy, heavy machinery would not function properly. 

One thing to note is that in the UK, a three-phase system supplies a higher voltage of 415V compared to a one-phase system’s 240V.  

Do You Need Trunking for Electrical Wiring?

Metal trunking houses electrical cables and protects them from hazardous elements. They are often hidden behind plasters within a wall. Some metal trunking is also installed underneath the flooring. 

Metal trunking is important because it keeps everything in position and prevents your wiring from mixing up. You can also use them as a form of cable management. Steel trunking keeps your electrical wiring safe and in operation.    

Steel trunking’s safety features house all the electrical currents and stop the spread of fire in case of a short circuit. For these reasons, investing in trunking for your electrical wiring is worthwhile.