The following are the types of cables and cabling equipment which is available in the market today :

a) Electric Cables and Wires :

These are the most common types of cables which are used in today's environment. There are mainly three types of cables under this category. They are i) Twin Core and Earth ii) Three Core and Earth iii) Armored Cable. The twin core and earth variety consists of two insulated cores and an uncovered copper earth conductor. On the other hand, the 3-core and earth is made up of three insulated solid cores with an exposed earth conductor.

The armored cable is the safest among such types of cables although it is generally used to provide power overhead or underground. There are multi strand inner cores which are individually covered.

Many of the electric cables which are available nowadays are fire resistant and can sustain high temperatures.

b) Non-electric Cables and Wires (Optical fibers) :

These are the cables which do not carry an electric current. They can be both the connecting cables as well as fiber optic cables. We will not be discussing the cables which will be used for construction purposes we will just have a look at optical fibers.

Principally, optical fibers reflect and guide light along their path. Optical fibers are used for fiber optic transmission and communication as the data can be transferred in light packets over large distances very fast.

c) Cable trays :

Cable trays are seen in almost all offices. Cable trays are assemblies which are used to secure and support cables.

These are basically located in places where there are many terminals with thousands of wires lying around. Cable trays systematically help you arrange and then distribute these cables.

d) Cable jointing kits :

Cable jointing kits are used for joining two or more cables. These kits form a part of every electric distributor as millions of cables have to be joined to create an effective power network.

These jointing kits come with a variety of features which include multi-purpose moulds to connect dissimilar cables, high and low temperature resistance, transparent coatings which are shatterproof and can be engaged with snap-on action.

e) Cable glands :

This is a device which allows a cable to enter into electrical equipment and while providing sealing and retention. Many cable glands also provide grounding, insulation and some other features.

Brands :

These were the major kinds of cable related products. The big manufacturers of cables around the world have been listed below :

• Draka
• Nexans
• Prysmian
• Furukawa Electric
• Hitachi Cable
• Tyco
• LS Cable