Electrical Wires Key Terms

Light up your knowledge and expand your business by learning electrical wires key terms

By Harrison Howe

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.

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