Skip to main content

Busting 5 Myths About Power Cables

 

Power cable is the fundamental component of any electrical system. There are numerous types of cables available in the market. And with a wide range of options, there comes a wide range of myths. A popular myth is that most people believe that copper is always a far better conductor for electricity than aluminum. Well, this is not accurate. When it comes to deciding what type of conductor is better between copper and aluminum metals, there are many factors that you need to consider.

As much as you may be knowledgeable about electric cables, there is a possibility that there are several things about power cables that can be new for you to know. Thus, before using any apparatus like a universal power cord on your devices, you should ensure that your power cable is safe. Here are few things about power cables you need to know:

The most important factor out of them is that conductivity in relation to cable wires is not only a function of the measure of resistivity, but rather it is a unique combination of the cable sizes and the used insulation material. So, in cases where super-high voltages need to be useful over long distances, it becomes economical to choose aluminum cables rather than copper ones.

1. Different Factors Affects the Cable's Current Capacity and It Does Not Remain Stable

Well, it is common to hear people talking about the possibility of their current cable capacity remaining stable forever. But, this is a common misconception about electrical cables that people have. 

However, the truth is that the cable current capacity depends on how and where you use it. The most important of them is that you should check the technical specifications of the functions before choosing one for any use.

2. Copper is Not Always a Better Conductor Than Aluminum

The point that needs to be noted in the copper conductor is that it does not remain stable over the lifetime of the cables. The changes in stability are usually caused by factors like the prevailing ground or air temperature. Even the actual way how the laying carries out and the depth at which the cables have been laid also affects the stability of power cables.

3. New Power Cables Do Not Last For As Long As You Expect Them To

There are many reasons why newly installed power cables do not last if people expect them to. Let us start with the first one, since there are many manufacturers of electric cables, it is obviously unlikely that every power cable that you install will last for a specific period.

The second reason is that there are different types of power cables. Following terms defines a specific power cable:

  • Capacity

  • Durability

  • Usage

  • Other industry-specific characteristics

The third reason as we discussed earlier is that the extent to which a cable lasts primarily relies on the manner in which one carries out the process installation. A poorly done installation might significantly shorten the life of a cable. 

4. Cable Armor Is Not Useful to Protect the Cable Against All Possible Physical Impacts

The cable armor is not useful to help in protecting the cable against any chances of physical impact. On the other hand, if any type of physical stress is exposed to any power cable, then it is possible that the armor would likely aggravate the damage to the cable arising from the impact.

This is because the cable armor manufacturers use on all types of cables is usually of steel wire or steel tape. These materials are to increase the tensile measure of the cables, not to protect the cables from physical impact.

5. The Cable Armor Cannot Protect Electric Cables From Moisture

It is common to hear that for any power cable type the inclusion of the armor makes the usage of cables possible in moist areas. But again, armor is not to protect the cable from water or moisture. Therefore, exposing armored cables to water can easily lead to the destruction of the armor. Eventually, this can lead to the exposure of the actual cables over time.

Wrapping Up

Thus, it is advisable to look for facts and not myths. Because relying on myths may prove to be harmful for the overall cable performance. And this lands us to the last but the most essential thing that you need to consider is related to safety. You should not forget that a faulty installation of cables can easily lead to an accident. So, before you carry out any electrical installation project, you should contact your local building inspector or the site electrical inspector.

It is best to get the project inspected for compliance with local codes and regulations once it is complete. So, after installing power cables properly, you can use devices like universal power cords safely on any device.

SOURCE:

https://www.sooperarticles.com/business-articles/networking-articles/busting-5-myths-about-power-cables-1819814.html


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Power Splitter vs. Extension Cord: Which One Is Right for You

Power distribution is a crucial aspect of managing electrical devices efficiently. When faced with the need to connect multiple devices to a single power source, two popular options come to mind: power splitters and extension cords. Understanding the differences between these two solutions is essential to ensuring optimal power management and safety. In this article, we will explore the features, applications, and considerations associated with power cord splitters and extension cords, helping you make an informed decision on which one is right for your specific needs. Power Splitters: Unleashing Versatility  Power splitters, also known as cord splitters or power cable splitters, are designed to divide a single power source into multiple outlets. These devices allow you to connect several devices simultaneously, expanding the number of electrical connections available. Power cord splitters come in various configurations, including three-way, four-way, and even more complex ...

How to Connect Tablet to External Monitor or Flat-screen TV Using Computer Adapters?

Tablets have numerous use cases. They have brought a radical change in the user experiences with larger display as compared to smartphones. You can enjoy videos and movies more on tablets as compared to smartphones. But, what if you are craving for a bigger screen? What if you want to view videos or movies on a screen that is larger than a tablet? Well, grab your popcorn and tie your seatbelts as you can enhance the multimedia experience by connecting tablet to an external monitor or a flat-screen TV. Watch movies the way you watch them in theatre. And what gives you a better viewing experience?  Computer adapters . Here is a brief yet step-by-step guide to enable you to connect tablet to a larger screen: Check Your Tablet’s Ports Firstly, take a close look at the tablet’s ports. It is necessary because the ports of the tablets have started advancing with every passing year. Traditionally, tablets had just video ports. Now, the new tablets have USB-C or USB Type-C ports. ...

Fiber Optic Cables Vs Ethernet Cables: What Is the Difference?

Wi-Fi is like love. Always in the air and ready to connect you with the fascinating digital world. But ever wondered what keeps it in the air? Well, just like any relationship has a foundation of understanding, a wireless network has a fiber cabling underneath that helps people to connect with the internet anytime they want to. The other most popularly used cable type is Ethernet cables. They are used everywhere right from IP camera technologies to LED lighting. These cables are quite cheaper as compared to fiber cables; but when one wants to have a huge and powerful network cable , fiber cables become necessary. Both the cables have their advantages and disadvantages, specialties, and limitations. Through this blog, we will differentiate between the two and try to understand both in details: History of Fiber & Ethernet Cables The fiber optic technology was first used in 1969 when NASA sent it to the moon for use in television cameras. And a company named Xerox developed Eth...