An electrical wire is intended to carry electricity from one point to another. Before purchasing the most suitable electrical cable, it is necessary to consider the current intensity and that of the connected equipment.
Indeed, there are different types of electrical cables, depending on whether they contain one or more electrical wires. The wire section, or their thickness in other words, is defined by the NF C 15-100 standard and is expressed in square millimeters (mm²). The thicker the wire, the more it can support a high current intensity:
- a section of 1.5 mm² is suitable for an intensity of 10 A (amperes);
- a section of 2.5 mm² is suitable for an intensity of 16 A to 20 A;
- a section of 4 mm² is suitable for an intensity of 25 A;
- a section of 6 mm² is suitable for an intensity of 32 A;
Regarding the color code standard, an electrical wire of color:
- red is a phase conductor. It is through it that the current arrives;
- blue is a neutral conductor. It ensures the distribution of the current;
- green/yellow is a ground conductor. It helps protect against the risk of electrocution.
The characteristics of electrical cables are indicated by a succession of numbers and letters on the packaging in the format X YY-ZZ.
X corresponds to one or more letters indicating the national or international extent of the cable. Among others:
- the letter H means that the cable is of harmonized type in compliance with international standards;
- the indication FR-N indicates a cable of national type;
YY corresponds to the maximum nominal voltage that the electrical wire can support.
In ZZ, the first Z is a letter indicating the nature of the insulator: V for PVC or 2V for double PVC insulation. The second Z is a letter referring to the type of electrical wire inside the cable or "the core":
- R indicates a rigid multi-strand core;
- K indicates a flexible multi-strand core;
- U indicates a solid rigid core.
Wiring a home is a more or less easy task for someone who is familiar with DIY. However, to avoid damaging the installations, it is mandatory to follow the standards and choose the right sections.
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