What are Wires Made Of?

Wires cut open

We rely on the electrical wiring and cables in our homes and work every day, and no matter if you’re dealing with one wire or several all at once, you want to ensure your circuits maintain steady current with effective wiring. This is determined by what materials are used to make them. Now you might be wondering: what are wires made of? To meet the exact needs of your electrical system, there are a range of materials used to make wires and cables that are highly conductive material and insulated properly. Discover more about how electrical cables and wires are made, and be sure to check out our inventory of electrical parts at Gateway Cable Company!  

What are Electrical Wires Made Out Of?

So, what are electrical wires made out of? Manufacturers produce electrical cables and wires for many different industries and markets, and some may require different materials to fit the project’s needs. Some materials offer various advantages by being more widely produced and accessible to more applications, while others can have disadvantages such as displaying lower levels of resistance and connectivity or being more expensive. Take a look at some of the different materials cables and wires are made of below:

  • Iron
  • Steel
  • Brass
  • Bronze
  • Copper
  • Aluminum
  • Zinc
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum

Commonly Used Electrical Cables and Wires 

When it comes to the wires and cables installed in your home or business, you want to ensure the many essential electrical systems have the right materials to provide seamless power and connectivity. These are some of the most common electrical cables you can check to make sure are delivering efficient conductivity to your circuits:

  • NM or Romex cable
  • UF cable
  • THHN/THWN wire
  • Low-voltage wire
  • Phone and data wire
  • Coaxial cable

Which Wire Materials are the Best?

Now that you know what wires are made of, you might be wondering which electrical wire and cable materials are the best.  Many manufacturers want to produce wires that are made of high-conducting metals that can handle the heavy heat and voltage, while also being able to deliver in mass amounts. That’s why you’ll find copper to be the most popular, because it is widely available, extremely versatile, and has strong resistant properties so it lasts much longer than other materials. Gold and silver can be great conductors — however, they wear out much faster and are much more expensive. Aluminum wires can be used, but they have been known to rust, which can lead to an overheated circuit. Wires and cables also have insulation made of plastic, rubber, or thermoplastic materials to prevent current leakage and any interaction with other metal wires. 

Shop Electrical Wire and Cables at Gateway Cable Company 

When you’re in need of reliable electrical materials, you can always turn to the experts at Gateway Cable Company. We’re proud to offer more information on a variety of electrical topics so you can easily get the knowledge you need to get the job done right, and provide an online inventory of electrical equipment to meet your needs. Choose from our selection of connectors, adaptors, cables, and so much more, and if you don’t see a certain part available, request a quote, and we’ll have it delivered to your home. Contact us today for more information!