Types of Wiring

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Electrical wiring is a cabling installation through which electrical power or energy is distributed to several devices (like fuses, switches, sockets, lights, fans, etc.) associated with electricity, in a structured manner for a seamless power supply. When electrical wiring is done correctly in an area (say in a building), then the load control is better. The wiring conductors in that area/building can be used economically. Several types of wires are available in the market, and each has a different use. And before starting an electrical project involving electrical connections, an individual has to learn about the types of wires and the types of wiring connections for understanding, which best suits the structure. 

Electrical wiring is the web of cabling installation through which electrical power or energy is distributed to various outlets like fuses, switches, sockets, lights, fans, etc. Wiring is the distribution of electrical power through wires that is most suitable to the electrical and economic requirements of a particular place. It is associated with the electricity supply, in a structured manner for seamless power supply. When electrical wiring is properly conducted in a structure like say a building, then the control and dispersion of load are better. These wiring conductors in that area, building, home, etc can be used economically. 

There are many types of wires which are available in the market, with each type of wire having a different use. The most important thing to remember here is that before starting an electrical project involving electrical connections, the individual has to learn about the types of wires and the types of wiring connections for understanding which form of electrical wiring shall be most appropriate for the building.

Electrical Wires

A single electrical conductor or a single channel that can carry electricity is called a wire. The conductor part of the wire is made up of copper or aluminum or copper-sheathed aluminum wrapped inside a non-conductive coating of plastic. Whereas the assembly of one or more of these wires in a different manner (side-by-side, bundled, etc.) for carrying an electric current is called a cable.

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It is essential to understand the types of wires and their characteristics regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC) for various applications and installations. For choosing a correct composition, the following factors of electrical wires must be noticed, 

• Size of the Wires - The wire size ranges are determined by the wire gauge. Some standard wire sizes are 10, 12, 14, 18, etc. And say for around 10Amps, 18-gauge of wire will be required. And for 100Amps, a 2-gauge wire will be required.

• The Lettering of the Wires - The insulation in wire types is represented by certain letters as per the instructions of NEC. The combinations like THHN, THWN, THW, and THHN are some popular types of wire insulations. And the letters stand for:

1. H- Heat resistance.

2. HH- High Heat resistance, which resists up to a temperature of 194 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. N- Nylon coating for resistance to damage.

4. T- Thermoplastic insulation.

5. W- Wet locations suitability.

6. X- Flame-resistant synthetic polymer coating.

Types of Wiring

The single electrical conductor or a single channel that can carry electricity is called a wire. These wires generally consist of a conductor part which is usually made up of copper, aluminum, or in some cases silver, and this conductor part is wrapped in a non-conductive coating. There are several types of wirings, knowledge of which is essential for understanding their place of usage.

1. Triplex wires

2. Main feeder wires

3. Panel feed wires

4. Non-metallic sheathed wires

5. Single strand wires

Electric Wires Color Code:

The different kinds of wires have different color codes which are generally set by central agencies so that a standard operating procedure can be developed while dealing with electrical circuits

1. The live wires through which current runs are red.

2. White-colored wires are always neutral (neutral wires are also black).

3. For earthing or grounding, green color wires are used. 

4. For the outlets and switches, the hot wires are used, which are represented by black color.

5. Blue and yellow color wires are hot wires that are used for appliances.

Solved Examples

1. What are the methods of electrical wiring system connections?

The typical house wiring types are the Joint box system, which is popularly known as the tree system of wiring, and the looping system type of wiring connection.

• Tree System of Wiring - When in electrical wiring, the appliances are connected through joints, is called a joint box or the tree system of wiring. This system of electrical wiring connection consumes very less cable size, is cheap (the joint box price is a little costly), and is suitable for several temporary electrical installations.

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• Looping or Loop-in System of Wiring - The most universally used wiring method is the loop-in or looping system. The name is such because the connection to light or fan is made by carrying around the circuit, from one point to another in a series of loops until the last circuit is reached. House wiring types are mainly looping systems because they are cheap (as no joint boxes are required) and easy tracking of fault locations with points being only at the outlets.

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Fun Facts

• The contributions of wire and cables are known to probably everyone on Earth who is using electricity.

• We can say the presence of wires and cables is so well known that they hold the entire world together with their length. 

• Scientists also have invented wire that is ten-thousand times thinner than a single strand of a human hair (the wire is only one atom length tall and four atoms wide).