We change the color of our clothes for vanity. We change the color of our wire’s insulation to indicate what the wire is used for, as a matter of safety and suitability.

Similarly, there are as many unique types of electrical wire and cable as there are colors of insulation - perhaps even more. From marine battery wire to PV cable, here are some of the most unique.

Marine Battery Wire

Marine battery wire, also known as marine battery cable or marine electrical wire, is a special type of electrical wire used on ships and in other marine applications.

It is made with durable insulation that is often sunlight, acid, alkaline, oil, and gasoline resistant (useful on board ships) and if you peel back the insulation, it appears to be silver.

Silver is a great conductor (better than copper, even) but that’s not what this is. Marine battery wire is made of very thin, individually tinned copper conductors. This protects the copper against corrosion and extends its lifespan.

It is also made of very thin conductors because this quality improves its flexibility, and makes it easier to establish connections within the tight confines of a ship.

Fire Alarm Cable

Another type of specialty instrumentation cable is fire alarm cable. Fire alarm is a low-voltage instrumentation cable that controls the nodes within a fire alarm system and allows them to communicate with each other.

There are two main types of fire alarm cable, being riser-rated cable and plenum rated cable, and the difference effectively boils down to the type of insulation jacket used with each.

Plenum-rated fire alarm cables are used in plenum space, which is the space about a drop ceiling, whereas riser-rated cables are used in the space behind the walls that traverses the floors of a building.

Plenum rated cables have more stringent restrictions for fire resistance and smoke production when burned, which makes them more expensive.

Welding Cable

Welding cable, also sometimes referred to as “flexible welding cable,” is a special type of cable often used in welding applications.

There are two main requirements for welding cable. One is that they are made with extremely durable insulation that is able to resist extreme temperatures, weather, sunlight, abrasion, and a wide range of chemicals, and the other is that the cable exhibits a high degree of flexibility, since welding cables must be used in situ, on job sites.

Photovoltaic Cable

Photovoltaic cable, also known as solar panel cable or solar PV wire, is a special type of electrical cable that is used in photovoltaic systems - AKA, solar power systems.

There are two main requirements for solar panel cable, chiefly that it is resistant to sunlight, as ultraviolet light would break down the insulation otherwise, and the other is that it is highly resistant to weather, including extremes of moisture and temperature.

Tray Cable

Tray cable is cable that is rated to be used in cable trays, an alternative to conduit that is cost-effective because it is easier to lay, access, and maintain cables in them than it is to work with cables drawn through conduit.

DLO Cable

Diesel Locomotive Cable, also known as DLO cable, is a special type of electrical cable that is made with tinned copper conductors and exhibits great flexibility.

DLO cable is also often rated to high voltages such as 2000V and is resistant to weather, abrasion, chemicals, UV light, ozone, grease, oil, and water.

This unique type of cable is used in diesel locomotives to transmit energy from the diesel-powered generators on the engines to the electric drive motors that turn the wheels.

Armored Cable

Armored cable is an extremely durable type of electrical cable that is used in unforgiving industrial environments.

Our armored cable is made with XLP insulated conductors and a bare ground protected by an inner PVC jacket, surrounded by aluminum or galvanized steel interlocking armor, and then by an out PVC sheath. It was originally used in rock mining applications, but is now popular in the petrochemical industry as well as in mines, on farms and ranches, and for other heavy industrial applications.

Submersible Pump Cable

Submersible pump cable is used primarily for one very specific application: to supply power to submerged pumps, often underground.

Submersible pump cable must be waterproof and made with a very durable insulating jacket. As a result, submersible pump cable is also often resistant to sunlight, gas, oil, acids, and alkali materials in addition to abrasion and flame.

One other prerequisite of submersible pump cable is that it is flexible as the spaces in which it is required to run are often quite tight and unforgiving.

Aluminum Cable

While copper is the conductor material commonly used in most electrical applications, there are some instances in which aluminum cable is preferred.

For one thing, aluminum is much lighter than copper, 30% lighter, to be exact. In addition to being lighter, it is also much more affordable, and like copper, is an excellent conductor that is also flexible and malleable.

As a result, we sell a wide range of aluminum cables here at EWCS Wire, including aluminum building wire along with aluminum triplex and quadruplex wire.

High-Quality Electrical Wires and Cables

Whether you’re looking for marine battery wire, flexible welding cable, aluminum cable, DLO cable, or solar PV wire, we have them here. Take a look through our collection and get in touch with us at 1-800-262-1598 or Sales@EWCSWire.com if you have any questions.