Electrical Cable Types, Sizes, and Installation An electric cable has the purpose of transporting electrical energy from one point to another. Depending on their final application, House Wiring Cables can have different configurations, always basing their design on national and international regulations. Types of the electric cable by their use Low voltage cables Cables for electric panels Flexible cables for wiring electric cabinets. These electric cables are especially suitable for domestic use, for installation in public places and for internal wiring of electrical cabinets, switch boxes and small electrical appliances. Power cables Energy VDE Approved Cables for industrial facilities and public places. It is common to find power cables in applications for power transmission in all types of low voltage connections, for industrial use and for variable frequency drive (VFD). Armoured cables Cables with aluminium or steel reinforcement for installations with risk of mechanical aggression. It is also common to find armoured cables in places where rodents are present, as well as in installations in premises with a risk of fire and explosion (ATEX). Rubber cables The use of extra flexible rubber cables is very varied. We can find Rubber Cables in fixed industrial installations as well as in mobile service. Welding cables should have a rubber sheath, which allows high currents to be transmitted between the welding generator and the electrode. Halogen-free cables High Security Halogen Free (LSZH) Cables with low smoke and corrosive gas emission in case of fire are suitable for use in wiring of electrical panels and public places, installations of all kinds in public places, individual derivations, emergency circuits, public distribution networks and also for mobile service. Control cables Control Welding Cables for fixed or mobile installations should be extremely flexible, as they are mainly designed for small household appliances, for the interconnection of machine parts used for manufacturing, for signalling and control systems, for the connection of motors or frequency converters, for signal transmission where the voltage induced by an external electromagnetic field may affect the transmitted signal or for power supply connections to avoid generating electromagnetic fields. Instrumentation cables These are flexible and shielded cables for the transmission of signals between equipment in industrial installations. Especially suitable for optimum data transmission in environments with a high level of electromagnetic interference. Solar cables These Silicon Rubber Cables are particularly suitable for connecting photovoltaic panels, and from the panels to the DC to AC inverter. Thanks to the design of their materials and their cover, which is especially resistant to solar radiation and extreme temperatures, they can be installed outdoors with full guarantees. Electrical Lamp Cords, one of the most indispensable tools we use today, but too often with little consideration. And, sometimes used in a fashion that could have disastrous results. In 1997, more than 12,000 people were treated for electrical shocks and burns; about 2,500 of them were treated for injuries stemming from extension cords.1 In addition, each year about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Half of these injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords. Roughly 3,300 home fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 more.2 However, with a little care and some precautions, these conveyors of power can be used safely. We must caution up front, that if you have more than a few Heater Cords powering equipment in your lab, it is probably time to either call an electrician to install additional strategically placed outlets, or to rearrange equipment. Likewise, if you have any cords running through walls, up through the ceiling and down somewhere else, an electrician is definitely required. Extension cords should only be used when necessary and only for temporary use. You should always plug equipment directly into a permanent outlet when possible. Where this is not possible, however, you should begin by selecting the right cord for the job. Indoors or outdoors, the use of cords serve different needs and should be selected accordingly. Regardless of location, always use the three-prong type of cord approved for either indoor or outdoor use. In addition, the cord should have a certification label from an independent testing lab such as UL Rubber Cord or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) on the package and attached to the cord near the plug. The amount of current a Power Cord can handle will depend on the diameter of the conductors (copper wire part of the cord). Cords that contain more copper can safely handle more power. The wire size is measured by the gauge of the wire. You will usually find numbers like 16, 14, or 12 gauge on an extension cord package and the cord itself. Now, this is one of those confusing issues. You would think that a 16-gauge wire is bigger than a 12-gauge wire, but it’s not! As the number gets smaller, the thickness of the conductor gets bigger. A 12-gauge wire can safely carry much more power than a 16-gauge wire. Compare the capacity on the label to the intended load. Always use the shortest Extension Cord possible, to minimize risk of damage to the cord and reduce electrical resistance across the length of the cord. Extension cords, by the nature of their length and conditions of use, are much more prone to damage than other types of wiring. It is important to check the total length of the cord for damage before putting it into use. One should start by looking at the ends of the cords. The male end—the end with the three prongs that fit into an electrical outlet—is the one that is most prone to damage. The two flat power-conducting prongs are subject to bending, while the round prong (often called the ground pin), can be broken off. Without the ground pin there is no path to ground through the wires—potentially a very dangerous situation.