According to Wikipedia’s definition, an electrical cable consists of several insulated wires, joined together in a single or double protective sheath. It is a grouping of conductive wires with sometimes one or more electromagnetic shielding inside/outside. An electrical cable can be used for the transmission of electrical energy but also for data transmission.

An electrical wire is the electro technical component used to transport electricity to transmit energy and information. It is made of a conductive material, single or multiple strands, often surrounded by an insulating envelope. The inside of the electrical wire is called the “core” of the wire. The core can be made of copper, nickel-plated copper or nickel (white metal).

An electrical installation requires several types of conductors to carry the current from the main switchboard to the various points of use. The choice between them is above all a question of standards.

How to choose electrical wires and cables?

It should be noted that a domestic installation includes different power circuits. Some of these circuits can serve several points of use (lighting, sockets, etc.), others are specialized, however, they only serve one appliance at a time: hob, oven, water heater, electric radiators, etc.

– The NF C 15-100 standard defines a conductor cross-section (in mm²) for each specific requirement adapted to the current intensity (in Amperes) that the circuit must support. It is clear that the higher the required current, the larger the cross-section (for example, a cross-section of 1.5 mm² is required for a current intensity of 10 Amperes, 2.5 mm² for 16 – 20 Amperes, 4 mm² for 25 Amperes, 6 mm² for 32 Amperes, etc.). Larger sections (10, 16, 25 mm², etc.) are required for electrical meter/subscriber circuit breaker connections, earthing, connection of an outbuilding.

It is essential to ensure that the cable cross-section corresponds to the actual requirement and current intensity according to the standards in force. Any search for savings in this respect, both in terms of section and quality of conductive material, to put your life and the lives of others at risk.

What do the different colors of the cables mean?

Homes are most often served by single-phase alternating current (220-230 V). This is supplied by a phase conductor (Ph) and returned to the plant by a second conductor called neutral (N). The grounding protects the entire installation.

Each type of wire or cable is identified by a standard color.

• Neutral: blue.
• Earth: yellow/green striped.
• Phase: red or any other color (black, brown) except the previous ones.

What do the different codes used to identify electrical wires and cables mean?

Each category of driver is named by a series of numbers and letters corresponding to its characteristics

H07 VU 1.5 mm2 wires (the one you will use the most)

• H or U: the first letter is a national or international reference point.
• 07: for 700 V, maximum tension supported by the wire.
• V: PVC insulating sheath (R for PRC).
• U: copper core; U and R indicate rigid cores, K a flexible core.
• 1.5 mm2: the wire cross-section.

Cables U1000 R2V 3G 1.5 mm²

A cable contains several conductors held together by one or more protective sheaths. The name of the cables is the name of the wires followed:

• the number of wires contained.
• of the wire cross-section.
• a letter code: G if one of the wires is intended for earth, X if not.

Example: U1000 R2V 3G 1.5 mm². This cable contains 3 wires with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 including a ground wire. Groundless: U1000 R2V 3X 1.5 mm2

2V: double PVC insulation (wires and protective sheath).