EDITION 4 | 2023
TIPS, SAFETY AND HEALTH
Understanding Your Electrical Cables Text by Cafca
Electrical cables transport electrical energy from one point to another. A cable is an assembly of one or more electrically conducting wires which is used to carry electric current. Electricity travels along some materials more easily than others and materials are divided into conductors and insulators.
Components of Electrical Cable 1.
2.
Conductors: are the electricity transmitting wires in a cable. These are made from high conducting metals like Copper and Aluminium which have low resistance. Insulators: are bad conductors of electricity, insulators do not allow electricity to pass through them.
In earlier times, paper, cloth, or rubber were used as insulating materials. However, these are now replaced with different synthetic polymers such as Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC), Polyethylene, and Butyl Rubber.
22
The conductors, usually copper wires, are covered with insulating material to prevent contact with each other, or with any external conducting materials. Insulation varies in thickness Wamount of current they have to carry: the greater the current, the thicker the conductor. 3.
Cable metal protection: In some cases the cables may have metal protections. Electrical metal shields (screens) are applied to isolate the signals that pass through the interior of the cable from possible external interference. Mechanical protection (armours) protect the cable from possible external aggressions and damage.
4.
Outer Sheath: The function of this outer insulator jacket is eminently protection. The sheath protects the cable from atmospheric conditions like high moisture in the air, chemical reactions, or fire attacks. Commonly used sheaths are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).