Key takeaways: Factory wire and cable come in many types, and each does a different job — single-core wire for general circuits, NYY for power distribution, CV for power circuits, VCT for equipment that needs flexibility, plus control cable and instrumentation cable for automation systems. Choosing wire therefore means considering more than the wire size: look at the load current, the voltage, the installation method, the environment, and the relevant standards, so the wire suits the role of each circuit, reduces the risk from heat, voltage drop, or noise, and helps the factory’s electrical system run more efficiently and safely.
An electrical system is like the basic infrastructure that drives production inside a factory — from lighting, machinery, motors, and conveyor belts to control panels, communication systems, and measuring instruments. Choosing the wrong wire can affect the safety and efficiency of the whole system.
How Many Types of Factory Wire Are There? Know Them to Use Them with Confidence
We can divide factory wire into 7 main types, from wire for general circuits to wire for control systems and circuits that must keep working during a fire.
1. Single-core wire for running inside conduit
Single-core wire — for example, 60227 IEC 01 — is a copper conductor with PVC insulation, designed for fixed installation, with a voltage rating of 450/750 V.
The main function of this type is to serve as the conductor in general electrical circuits, such as lighting circuits, sockets, sub-circuits, and circuits inside panels. It is generally run through conduit or trunking that adds mechanical protection.
Its advantage is a simple structure: you can choose the size and color of each wire by function — such as phase, neutral, and earth — making the system easy to organize and inspect. However, because it has no outer sheath, it is not suitable for direct burial or for placing in areas at risk of moisture and impact.
2. NYY cable for power distribution and outdoor work
NYY is a factory cable with PVC insulation around the conductor and another PVC outer sheath. This structure adds protection from the environment compared with single-core wire that has only insulation.
NYY comes in single-core and multi-core versions, suited to work that needs the extra protection of a sheath, and it can be used for outdoor runs or direct burial when the installation method is designed correctly. If the area has a risk of crushing, digging, or impact, add extra mechanical protection to suit the site.
3. CV cable (XLPE insulation) for power circuits
CV cable uses a copper conductor with XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulation and an outer protective sheath. The strength of XLPE is thermal and electrical properties well suited to power cable, so it is widely used in industrial electrical systems.
The main function of CV cable is to transmit power in power circuits — such as motors, large machinery, pumps, compressors, chillers, or Motor Control Center (MCC) cabinets. This type suits systems that must handle continuous loads, but the calculation must also consider the operating current, the wiring method, the ambient temperature, the distance, and the current-derating factors.
4. VCT cable for equipment that needs flexibility
VCT is a flexible cable using fine-stranded copper conductors, so it bends and moves more conveniently than cable for fixed installation. It suits movable equipment or certain machines that need a flexible connecting cable.
However, the flexibility of VCT does not mean it suits work that must flex repeatedly all the time, such as a cable chain or an industrial robot arm. For that kind of work, choose continuous-flex cable or motion-control cable designed specifically to handle repeated movement.
5. Control cable for sending commands to machines
Control cable is another important group in factories that use automation, because machines need circuits to send commands between the control cabinet and the various devices.
The main function of control cable is to send signals to switch on, off, stop, run forward, run reverse, or report status between devices such as relays, contactors, limit switches, solenoid valves, and control cabinets.
This type usually has several conductors in a single cable, so it can support many command circuits without running many separate wires. If the installation is near motors, inverters, or power cables, consider using shielded control cable to help reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference.
6. Signal and instrumentation cable
In modern production processes, sensors measure values such as temperature, pressure, liquid level, and flow rate, along with standard signals used in industrial control systems, such as 4–20 mA.
This type may use twisted-pair conductors with a shield to help reduce noise, especially in areas with large motors, inverters, or high-power equipment, where signal interference can make the values sent to the control system inaccurate. So give importance to the cable type, the wiring method, the use of shielding, and proper grounding.
7. Fire-resistant cable and flame-retardant cable
Some parts of a factory must keep operating in an emergency — such as fire-alarm systems, smoke-extraction systems, emergency lighting, or circuits related to evacuation — so cable specifically designed and tested for its behavior in a fire is used.
The function of fire-resistant cable is to help maintain circuit continuity under the specified test conditions; the IEC standard is one of the sets of standards used to test circuit integrity when the cable faces fire. Flame-retardant cable, meanwhile, focuses on reducing the spread of flame — which is different from maintaining circuit operation — with a related IEC standard set for testing flame propagation on cable. There is also Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) cable. These properties — fire-resistant, flame-retardant, and low-smoke halogen-free — should not be substituted for one another, because each has a different purpose and test method.
How to Choose Wire to Suit the Factory and Add Safety to the System
Once you know how many types of factory wire there are, the next step is to choose the type and size to match the system, because even if you choose the right type, an unsuitable size or installation method can still affect efficiency and safety.
Consider the load current and voltage
Check the voltage and current of the circuit. The conductor size must carry the load current under the installation conditions and match the rating of the protective device, such as a circuit breaker or fuse. Also consider the load characteristics — for example, a motor whose starting current is higher than its normal current. Importantly, do not forget to check the voltage drop, because a voltage that is too low at the far end can affect the operation and starting of machinery.
Check the installation method
A cable’s current rating does not depend on the cross-sectional area alone; it also relates to how the cable dissipates heat. Installing in conduit, on a cable tray, buried underground, or grouped with several circuits can make the same-size cable carry a different current.
Consider the environment
For example, areas near furnaces or machines with high temperatures, wet areas, points that contact oil or chemicals, and areas with vibration. So check whether the insulation and sheath materials can handle that environment, and consider mechanical protection in areas at risk of impact or of being damaged by machinery.
Separate the roles of power circuits and signal circuits
Power cable delivers energy to the load, while control cable and instrumentation cable focus on sending commands or data, so you should not choose cable by the number of cores alone. Also, running signal cable near power cable or equipment that generates electromagnetic fields can cause noise and affect the data the control system receives, so design the cable routing and interference protection appropriately.
Choose products that meet standards
Check that the wire’s standard matches the use — such as the industrial product standard (TIS) or the relevant IEC standard — and check the markings on the cable and the product documents every time, such as the cable type, conductor size, number of cores, voltage rating, insulation material, and reference standards, and make sure the electrical system is designed and installed to the applicable standards and requirements.
Choose the Right Type of Factory Wire to Add Confidence to Every System
For anyone setting up an efficient factory electrical system, TETA INTERTRADE supplies aluminum wire and copper wire, along with high- and low-voltage equipment, insulators, safety equipment, earthing-system equipment, and lightning-protection equipment — selecting quality products at accessible prices, so you can choose products to suit the design, budget, and needs of each project, and set up your factory’s electrical system more efficiently and confidently.
Contact TETA INTERTRADE today to raise the safety and efficiency of the electrical installations in every one of your projects.
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- Telephone: 02-068-9690 or 086-308-3741
Frequently Asked Questions About Factory Wire (FAQs)
Q: After how many years of use should factory wire be replaced?
A: Wire has no fixed lifespan, because it depends on the cable type, temperature, load, and condition of use. Rather than counting years, inspect the condition, and replace it when the insulation or sheath is degraded, cracked, or damaged.
Q: Can factory wire be joined to add length?
A: Yes, in some cases, but you must use connectors and jointing methods suited to the type and size of the cable, and install the joint where it can be inspected and maintained. A substandard joint can add resistance at the connection, causing heat and increasing the risk of damage to the electrical system.
Q: Can aluminum wire be used in a factory instead of copper wire?
A: Yes, if the system is designed appropriately, because aluminum and copper differ in electrical and mechanical properties. If you use aluminum wire, you must choose a cross-sectional area, terminals, and accessories that specifically support aluminum conductors, and you should not directly substitute copper sizes without recalculating.
Q: Why are some factory wires much larger than general wires?
A: Because some machinery and equipment inside a factory needs high power and current, and may also be a long distance from the power source, so a conductor with a large enough cross-section is needed to carry the current and keep the voltage drop at a suitable level.
Q: How often should a factory inspect its wiring?
A: The inspection frequency should be set by the nature of the use and the environment, so that abnormalities can be found before they affect production.
