House electrical wiring is a process of connecting different accessories like for the distribution of electrical energy from the supplier to various appliances and equipment at home like television, lamps, air conditioners, etc.
Let us look at the different types of electrical wiring that are used in domestic properties.
5 Different Types of electrical wiring House Wiring Systems
- Cleat Wiring
This wiring comprises PVC insulate wires or ordinary VIR that are braided and compound. They are held on walls and ceilings using porcelain cleats with groves, wood or plastic. It is a temporary wiring system, therefore making it unsuitable for domestic premises. Moreover, a cleat wiring system is rarely used these days. - Casing and Capping Wiring
It was quite popular in the past but it considers obsolete these days due to the popularity of the conduit and sheathed wiring system. The cables used in this electric wiring were PVC, VIR or any other approved insulating cables. The cables were carried through the wooden casing enclosures, where the casing was made of a strip of wood with parallel grooves cut lengthwise for accommodating the cables. - Batten Wiring
This is when a single electrical wiring wire or a group of wires are laid over a wooden batten. The wires are held to the batten using a brass clip and space at an interval of 10 cm for horizontal runs and 15 cm for vertical runs. - Lead Sheathed Wiring
Lead sheath wiring uses conductors which are insulated with VIR and covered with an outer sheath of lead aluminium alloy which contains about 95% lead. The metal sheath gives protection to cables from mechanical damage, moisture and atmospheric corrosion.
Conduit Wiring
There are two types of conduit wiring according to pipe installation:
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- Surface Conduit Wiring When GI or PVC conduits are installed on walls or roofs, it is known as surface conduit wiring. The conduits attach to the walls with a 2-hole strap and base clip at regular distances. electrical wiring wires are laid inside the conduits.
- Concealed Conduit Wiring When the conduits are hidden inside the wall slots or chiselled brick wall, it is called conceal conduit wiring. Electrical wires are laid inside the conduits. This is popular since it is stronger and more aesthetically appealing.
Here are some Advantages and Disadvantages of Concealed Conduit Wiring System
Advantages
- It is a safe wiring system
- Safe from chemical effects, humidity and other external factors
- No risk of shock
- It is aesthetically appealing
- No risk of wear and tear, fire or damage cable insulation
- Quite reliable
- Renovations can be easily performed as you can replace old wires easily
Disadvantages
- Expensive as compared to surface conduit wiring
- Changing the location of switches or appliances is difficult
- Installation is complex
- Hard to find defects in the wiring
- Adding additional conduit in future is a tedious task
When the wiring is not done properly or isn’t maintained well, it may lead to dangerous situations such as electrical wiring fires. Therefore, it is important that you take a lot of care while installing electrical wires and cables. If you are wondering which electrical wiring to install at your home, call us at D&F Liquidators, Inc. as we have a wide range of wiring at competitive prices and our experience team will guide you through the selection process.
More Help Understanding Your Home and its Electrical Wiring
Home electrical wiring systems are complicated. But understanding its components can help you diagnose problems, complete repairs, plan for renovations, and keep your wiring up to code.
The first things you need to know about your house’s electrical wire are the basics. You should know how size relates to amperage, how cable-sheath and wire colour coding works, and how to read a cable or wire label. But you should also know the difference between wires and cables and when you use a strand versus solid wire.
After that, you have to know all of the types of electrical wires in your home.
These include everything from the NM cables powering your outlets to the UF cables powering your outdoor lamp posts. But your home may also use AC cable in place of NM, as well as metal-clad cable in unfinished places and low-voltage cable for low-power receptacles.
But knowing and understanding your home electrical system doesn’t necessarily translate to being able to repair or change it.
Underground Feeder Cable
While AC and NM cables are designed for dry, interior conditions, you need a cable that’s okay for use outdoors or in wet conditions. This type of cable doesn’t need the protection of walls, floors, and ceilings.
That’s why when you need to run wire underground or to outdoor projects, you use an underground feeder, UF, or cable. This type of electrical wiring is also a non-metallic cable and it can be buried under the ground without conduit.
It can also get wet without any issues.
Similar to NM cable, UF cable is made up of three wires.
One hot wire, one neutral wire, and a bare ground wire. They appear similar to NM cable as well, but the sheathing around the UF cable is a solid plastic that you can’t roll between your fingers.
Metal-Clad Cable
If you have some home electrical wiring running through unfinis areas like basements, they need a stronger outer surface. That’s where the metal-clad cable comes in.
It’s used in unfinished areas where the wiring is exposed to the possibility of physical damage.
Low-Voltage Wiring
When you have a circuit that uses less than 50 volts, you might use low-voltage wiring.
This type of house electrical wire is used for items that don’t require a lot of electricity. This includes doorbells, most thermostats, and landscape lighting.
You’ll find low-voltage wire ranges in size from 12 to 22-gauge. It’s usually insulated or covered in cable sheathing.
Electrical Wiring Channels
Well not exactly a home electrical wire, wiring channels definitely come in handy with home wiring systems.
Also known as electric channel raceways or plastic channels, these extruded profiles help you protect and organize all the types of electrical wire in your home. But they can also be used in commercial, medical, and industrial applications.
Made in a square, round, flat, rectangular, domed, or completely customized shape, electrical wiring channels have a range of applications. In your home, you use them to prevent tangling, wire damage, and disorganization.
They may also help prevent trip hazards when you have cables running along floors and walls.