Cutting, splicing, running and connecting electrical wires all require special supplies. Whether you're working with residential electrical wires or industrial electrical wire, custom electrical cables from wire manufactures or basic electrical wires, you'll need those supplies for every job you tackle.

From wire strippers to wire nuts, there are many items you'll have to add to the list when you buy electrical wire. So when you head out to the electrical wire store for supplies for electrical wires, or if you buy electrical wire online, remember the following:

1. Prepare for both residential and commercial jobs with the proper supplies for electrical wires.

2. Locate the things you need to secure and join electrical wires together.

3. Make running electrical wires through conduits and walls easier.

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Take on both small and large projects with all the right supplies for electrical wires

While some supplies for electrical wires will be the same no matter what type of job you're doing, the list won't be the same for both residential and industrial projects. From wiring home outlets to rewiring entire industrial buildings, you can make your business versatile and profitable with a diverse inventory of electrical wiring supplies.

I recommend: Make sure you have supplies for electrical wires for any residential job you're doing by following the tools and supply checklist offered at Ace Hardware. Check out Summit Electric Supply for a list of many industrial electrical wire supplies, from conduits to industrial outlet boxes.

Secure electrical wires, and more, with tape, ties and other supplies

Joining and securing electrical wires are a huge part of any electrical project. From electrical tape and wire nuts for making connections to wire staples for securing wires to walls and ceilings, these types of supplies for electrical wires are crucial to have on hand.

I recommend: Choose from a variety of electrical tape including glass cloth, vinyl or rubber, at Waytek. Find all types of electrical cable ties, from releasable to heavy-duty and even colored ties, at Del City. JWS Industries provides 21 different types of wire staples, from small to 3/4-in. cable staples, as well as conduit straps. Choose a variety of wire nuts, including indoor or outdoor, twist-on, ratchet and more, at Ideal Industries.

Pull and run electrical wires easier and faster with the right supplies at hand

If you've ever had to pull a bundle of electrical wires through a narrow conduit with your hands, you know how difficult it is. Fish tapes, grips, wire pulls and lubricant make pulling wires through even the tightest places an easier task.

I recommend: Find fish tape, fish tape grips and guide tools at Chapman Electric Supply. Kena Industries, specializing in wire pulling products, offers pull rods, pull lines, rope pulls, and even wire pulling lubricant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to add in the expenses of supplies for electrical wires when giving estimates for jobs.

Whether you're installing an outdoor light or re-wiring an entire house, you need to have the right kind of electrical wires. Electrical wires are not a "one size fits all" product. Gauge, insulation and resistance (ohms) differ according to the type of project you are working on. Electrical wires appropriate for residential projects, for example, differ from industrial electric wires.

When it comes time to buy electrical wires, look for quality, availability and cost. You might be looking for copper wiring or lead wiring, or, you might need custom electrical cables to suit specific needs.

Here are some things to consider when buying electrical wires:

1. See which wire manufacturers make the best electrical wires for your job.

2. Shop around at electrical wire wholesalers for the best deals.

3. Consider home improvement centers to satisfy your electrical wire needs.

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Decide which wire manufacturers you get the most charge out of

Contact a wire manufacturer that meets all of your needs. Some may offer only copper wiring, for instance, while others have only lead wiring. Still others will provide custom wiring upon request.

I recommend: The Okonite Company offers a wide range of electrical cables, from low- and high-voltage to single and multiconductor. Kris-Tech Wire Company manufactures a variety of electric wires and cables and can fill customized requests as well.

Find the best wholesalers offering electrical wires

You might find what you're looking for and save money by buying electrical wire wholesale. Many electricians find it beneficial to shop for wholesale electrical wiring. Wholesale offers the option to buy electric wires in large quantities for lower prices than you might find at many local electric supply houses, hardware stores or home improvement centers.

I recommend: Dale Electric Supply Co. is an electrical supplier who can meet most of your electrical wiring needs at wholesale prices. Elliot Electric Supply offers both copper and aluminum wiring.

Consider home improvement centers to meet your electrical wire needs

Retail outlets such as hardware stores and home improvement centers are also options when it comes to buying electrical wires. These suppliers can fill your quick, basic needs. You'll find plenty of indoor and outdoor grade electrical wiring at most home improvement centers.

I recommend: Lowe's has a large electrical supply department offering wiring that will allow you to complete most any indoor or outdoor electrical project. Ace Hardware has both metal clad electrical cables and basic wiring suitable for most simple indoor projects such as adding electrical outlets or lighting.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to look for other electrical supplies when shopping for electrical wires. You'll need conduits, fittings, connectors, junction boxes and tools such as wire cutters and strippers.

Electrical wires and industrial electrical cable are carefully selected with consideration given to safety as well electrical efficiency and flexibility during installation. Industrial cables and underground power cables usually employ rubber synthetic polymer insulation for its high resistance to moisture. Insulated electric cable often has multiple ratings for use in oily, wet, or dry environments.

In addition, because industrial electrical wire typically carries substantial currents in operation, the gauge of the wire must strike a balance between being large enough to carry the intended currents without starting a fire, while keeping the wiring budget in check. Electrical engineer training and electrician training enable professionals to know what type of wire or cable to use and to calculate the proper gauge of wire or cable for a given application and buy electrical wire most suitable for the job. Use the following as a guide for electrical wires education and training.

1. Obtain credentials as an electrician at an accredited campus.

2. Get training on electrical wire online, in the comfort of home or as OJT.

3. Learn or get updated on current National Electrical Code (NEC) codes so, when you buy electrical wire online or elsewhere, you buy the right product the first time.

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Get trained as an electrician at an accredited campus

Wire manufacturers make a great many different types of wires and cables for different purposes and each type of wire or cable comes in an array of sizes. Acquiring the knowledge base of an electronics engineer or an electrician will enable you to astutely determine the type and size of the wire or cable needed for your project.

I recommend: Top Colleges has a website that enables you to enter your zip code and find electrician training in your area. Everest Institute's is similar, but allows you to search by state or by type of training program.

Learn how to work with electrical wires in the comfort of your home and at your own pace

Employees working in an electrical wire store can become much more knowledgeable and helpful to customers by obtaining electrical wires education and training through an at-home training course. A knowledgeable staff can help ensure that customers make the right choice when they buy electrical wiring.

I recommend: You can obtain info packages for two different electrician training courses from Electrician-Training, either of which can be pursued at home and at your own pace. Tom Henry's Code Electrical Classes also offers an at-home training course for electricians.

Know industrial cable regulations by learning the National Electrical Code online

In any electrical project there are a myriad of rules and regulations set forth in the National Electrical Code that specify just about every aspect of the electrical design. Before setting out to obtain electrician wires for a particular application and etch the overall design in stone, take the time to check the applicable NEC regulations. You just may prevent a fire.

I recommend: Mike Holt Enterprises provides training materials and online training on National Electrical Code, so electricians and engineers will know the government regulations regarding everything from electric wires to industrial electrical cable. Construction Book Express is a great source for obtaining electrical design handbooks, where you can learn how to properly determine the proper sizing of electrical cables for any given application before making your electrical wire purchase.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even with solid electrical wires education and training, electrical designers will save a great deal of time and effort and eliminate errors by utilizing software such as Solutions Electrical Professional. It performs all the calculations, prepares all the layouts and documentation, and can reduce five days of cable calculations to an hour effort. The software also provides similar benefits in 13 additional major tasks of construction electrical designers, providing all solutions in accordance with current NEC regulations.

Whether you're an electrician or you work in an electrical supply warehouse, you can best conduct your business knowing electrical wires key terms. Whether you want to know what wire gauge means, why color coding is done on electrical wires or what a splice is and how to do one, you can serve any type of customer if you are familiar with the applications and types of electrical wires.

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Wire gauge

Wire gauge refers to the diameter of electrical wires. Electrical wires are measured bare, without insulation included. Many electrical wires are measured using the standard American Wire Gauge system of designating wire sizes.

I recommend: RBE Electronics explains wire gauge and supplies tables showing standard sizes in both inches and metric measurements.

Color coding

Electrical wires are coded by color to identify what a specific wire does in a bundle. For instance, a white wire may indicate a neutral wire, a bare or green wire indicates a ground wire and a black wire reflects a hot wire or power conductor.

I recommend: All About Circuits provides a detailed explanation of electrical wires color coding and shows the different kinds of color coding by geographic location.

Building wire

Most electrical wires refer to types used in commercial and residential building. Building wire is an electrical wire designed to carry power to lighting in houses, office buildings and industrial settings.

I recommend: The National Electrical Manufacturers Association defines building wire and provides standards and guidelines for uses of electrical wires.

Splice

When electrical wires are cut and joined together, this is called a splice. Splicing involves stripping electrical wire insulation, twisting together bare wires and securing the wires using tape or wire nuts.

I recommend: Inspect-A-Pedia gives a detailed description of how to do a splice of electrical wires.

Insulation

Insulation refers to a covering used on electrical wires. Paper or foil is usually used to insulate electrical wires. Insulation protects and shields the different types of electrical wires that are bundled together.

I recommend: Thermometrics describes the many types of electrical wires insulation.

BX Cable

Most electrical wires are bundled and covered with a sheath or insulation. BX cables are electrical wires covered by a metal sheath. Also called armored cable or metal clad cable, BX cable is used in many commercial wiring projects.

I recommend: BobVila.com thoroughly explains BX cable, with pictures and a description of how to work with this type of electrical cable.