Cables and Accessories

What is Cable?

Cable is a metallic conductive wire covered with an insulating material used to transmit electric current. One or more wires are coated with an insulating material. Conductors can be a single wire made of copper or aluminum or a braided wire made of thinner wires. In order to carry the same amount of current, aluminum cables must be 1/2 diameter larger than copper. Therefore, copper cable is used in places where space is a problem. Aluminum is mainly preferred in aerial lines that are not too heavy. If the cables are desired to be stronger, they are reinforced with steel braids. These are mainly used on long lines passing high in the air, such as nationwide high voltage lines. The power required from the cable is related to its ability to carry both its own weight and the additional weight of the ice that will freeze or the snow that will fall. In addition, the tension caused by the wind must be taken into account when determining this force.