Automotive Wire

Automotive Wire: Free Comprehensive Automotive Wiring Handbook

Even though vehicles are increasingly becoming a basic necessity, an automotive wire is not as popular as other electrical wires. Logically, any attempt to use household wire in vehicle wiring will end in disaster. Why can’t you use a regular wire in vehicle wiring?

Ordinary cables cannot endure the high temperatures, vibration, and chemical exposures associated with vehicle wiring. An automotive electrical wire plays a critical role in your vehicle’s functionality. Don’t you think you ought to be conversant with automotive wire types and any other relevant information concerning automotive cables?

Currently, it is easy to find information concerning any electrical cable. All you need to do is go open a webpage on your smartphone or personal computer and search for any information. Undoubtedly, you will find much information concerning an automotive cable. Where do you kick-start your pursuit of knowledge? It is pretty challenging to figure out where to start, mainly because there are numerous important pieces of information.

Fortunately, this post is an excellent starting point for anyone seeking knowledge on an automotive wire. Don’t you want to be part of a select group of experts in automotive wires? Since the answer is definitely yes, it would be best to go through this post right away.

1.What Is Automotive Wire?

Automotive wiring is arguably the most denigrated aspect of motorized mechanics. Most people can’t accurately differentiate between an ordinary electrical wire and an automotive cable suited for car wiring. Are you one of those people? 

The drawbacks of vehicle wiring repairs are pretty extensive. From diagnosing faulty connections, damaged wires, and several other sporadic glitches in your vehicle’s system, the wiring repair process can be pretty stressful. It would be in everyone’s best interest not to make the situation worse by choosing the wrong automotive power wire. So, what exactly is an automotive wire?

In simple terms, an automotive cable is any wire suited for automotive wiring applications. If you own any vehicle, you must be aware that several cables are used in vehicle wiring. The most common wires used in automotive wiring include battery wire, primary wire, brake cable, and an automotive speaker wire. Considering that there are automotive wire types designed for specific purposes, making a proper choice can challenging. What happens if you select the wrong automotive wire?

Well, if you use the wrong wire for an automotive wiring application, it could lead to car system failures. In a worst-case scenario, a bad cable choice may trigger an engine fire. You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you? It would be best to consult your local automotive cable expert if you are unsure about your wire choice.

2.What Type Of Wire Is Used For Automotive? 

Generally, the ideal wire for automotive wiring tends to vary from one application to the next. What exactly do I mean? As I mentioned earlier, there are different automotive wiring applications. The most common wires used in wiring applications include brake wire, car speaker wire, and car battery wire. Suitable cables tend to vary from one application to another. For example, battery wire needs an electrical wire that can withstand more current than a car speaker automotive wire. Do you get the idea?

Essentially, I am trying to say that different types of automotive wires serve different specific needs. Consequently, it would be best to choose an automotive cable wire based on your particular wiring needs. For instance, an automotive 18 gauge wire is ideal for signal wiring but not suitable for high current applications. If you intend to wire a 50 amperes circuit, it would be best to settle for a 4 gauge automotive wire.

That being said, there is one valuable rule that you need to remember when choosing an automotive wire for any wiring application. Which rule is that? Well, you should never use a solid wire for any automotive wiring application. Considering that automotive wiring is full of twists and turns, you must always choose a stranded cable. Why is a stranded cable the recommended option? The stranded wire makes the best automotive wire because it is highly flexible and can bend multiple times without any damage.

3.What is Different between a House Wire and Automotive Wire?

Have you ever bought a house wire and an automotive wire? If the answer is yes, you must have noticed that an automotive wire is more costly than a house wire. Most people leave the electrical shop or the electrical wire depot wondering what causes the price variations. Are you one of those people? Well, the answer is pretty straightforward.

Automotive wiring is often carried out in a hostile environment. Can you imagine what will happen if battery acid comes in contact with an ordinary house wire? The acid will damage the house wire because it cannot withstand such adverse conditions. Essentially, an automotive power wire has a more uncompromising jacket and is more flexible compared to a house wire.

Some people choose to use a house wire for automotive wiring just because it is less costly than a designated automotive wire. It doesn’t matter if the house wire you choose is ideal or has the required current carrying capacity. There are certain critical features of an automotive cable wire that an ordinary wire does not have. It is advisable to go for an actual automotive wiring cable instead of taking shortcuts by settling for a less ideal house wire.

4.How to Determine Automotive Wire Gauge？

As I mentioned earlier, there are several automotive wiring applications. You need to carefully consider the intended wiring application before picking out an appropriate wire gauge. Why is it important to consider the wire gauge of an automotive wire?

Like any other electrical wire, an automotive cable’s gauge defines the amount of current it can transmit without sustaining damage. What happens if you fail to choose the appropriate wire gauge? If you select a small wire gauge, the wire will likely melt because it cannot sustain the current passing through it. You don’t want that to happen, do you? So, how do you determine the appropriate gauge of an automotive electrical wire? 

Well, there are different automotive wire sizes, and there is no one-size-fits-all. The key to determining the appropriate wire gauge rests in your ability to ascertain the exact amperage for your application. Different wire gauges can transmit varying amounts of electric current.

For instance, 12-gauge automotive wire is suitable for 20 amperes depending on the length of the wire. On the other hand, a 10-gauge automotive wire can withstand up to 30 amperes. Choosing an appropriate wire gauge can be quite challenging. Thus, it would be best to consult a trained electrician when selecting a proper automotive wire gauge.

5.Where to Buy Automotive Wire？

Currently, there are several places where you can buy any electrical wire. In fact, if you type ‘automotive electrical wire shop near me on your Google, you will get a list of viable shops. However, you have to remember that there are different automotive wire manufactures. It would be best if you chose a cable manufactured by a reliable manufacturer. So, it would be best not to confine your search for an automotive wire to local retail outlets.

You can easily place online order to any reliable manufacturer. The manufacturer will deliver the cable to your destination of choice. ZW cable is an excellent example of an experienced automotive wire manufacturer who can provide any wire to your destination of choice.  All you need to do is check into the website and order any wire you want.