What is the best wire for the car? No one type fits all cars, as different auto wiring applications primarily require a unique kind.
It can be confusing to pick the most ideal wiring solution for your car. However, that should not be your problem anymore. Read on to find out what wire best suits your car’s wiring.
Types of Wire Used in Automotive Applications
Getting the best auto wires starts with identifying the different wire types for car applications. Here are the main ones you will find in auto shops:
Primary Wire / GPT Wire
It’s the most typical general-purpose auto wiring wire in most auto shops. It has multiple strands at its core, and its insulation cover is flexible, enabling it to easily fit tight spaces.
The wire has a temperature insulation of 80 degrees Celsius, perfect for general-purpose wiring where the temperature is not high. Nonetheless, you can still find special GPT wire models with a better resilience of up to 105 degrees Celsius.
In addition, it can withstand acid, chemical, and oil exposure.
1015 Wire / Motor Wire / Hook-Up Wire
Car Wires.
It is similar to the GPT wire, although the 1015 wire features thinner wire strands, critical in high-voltage transmissions. You can use this wire in applications requiring a voltage rating of up to 600 Volts.
It is also ideal for high-temperature environments, with a resilience capacity of up to 105 degrees Celsius. It also withstands oil, acid, and chemical exposure. Not even fungus and universal solvents can impact its functioning.
Until recently, this wire was not popular in the auto industry. It was formerly widespread in HVAC and typical household equipment wiring applications.
SXL Wire / XLPE Wire
The outstanding feature of the SXL wire is the cross-linked polyethylene cover, which provides an essential protection layer. It can be confusing to pick the most ideal wiring solution for your car. However, that should not be your problem anymore. Read on to find out what wire best suits your car’s wiring.
Ensures the wire is scratch and abrasion-proof and can operate optimally in a high-heat environment.
Understandably, this is the go-to wire type for industrial vehicles and speed cars. The other common versions of this wire include the GXL and TXL wires. Although both have a cross-linked polyethylene cover, their thin walls facilitate easy bending.
Speaker Wire
A Car Audio Specialist.
It is usually a pair of wires for audio-wiring applications built for smooth sound transmission.
Most importantly, you must connect the terminals correctly to ensure your speakers are always in phase. It is key in providing quality sound output.
Battery Wire
Car Battery Accumulator charging
It is the ideal cable connecting the car’s electrical system to the DC voltage battery. Usually, it is a thick wire because it carries quite a high current. The battery cable is similar to the cable we often use for jumpstarting a car.
It requires high maintenance because its wires are prone to corrosion. Often, the problem with a transmission is the battery cable.
Trailer Wires
It is a special GPT cable that is usually reserved for trailer applications. It has a thicker profile than the typical GPT cable and is usually colored, each representing a specific application.
Sensor Wires
Like its name, this is the go-to wire to link different types of sensors to your car. Usually, a sensor cable can only carry low voltage. Among the sensors you can connect to the vehicle using these cables include:
- Speed sensors
- Oxygen sensors
- Temperature sensors
One of the main issues in signal transmission is interference, so wire shielding is necessary. The sensor wires are quite special because their build ensures minimal interference.
Automotive Wire Standards and Compliance
ISO certification.
Automotive standards must meet specific standards to ensure they deliver optimal performance. Some standards you should check to ensure your auto wire manufacturer is compliant include ISO 6722 and SAE J1128.
The essence of standard compliance is ensuring the wires can meet the required qualities regarding factors such as:
- Wire insulation size
- Wire voltage ratings
- Conductor type and size
How do you know if a wire complies with the regulations? There are a host of things to consider, including the following:
- First, you must check if the wire complies with the government and control agencies’ regulations.
- Also, the wire must meet the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) requirements.
- Thirdly, the wires must meet IATF 16949. This standard for autos ensures the wires are made with the end goal of meeting the industry’s requirements.
- The fourth important aspect is the materials’ specifications and quality. The ideal materials should guarantee optimal connectivity and excellent insulation. They should also easily adapt to the environment in which they are used.
- In addition, the wires must undergo extensive testing and validation to help identify the possible design issues.
- Moreover, the wires must be made of materials that ensure environmental sustainability and do not pollute the surroundings.
- Finally, the wiring materials must have excellent documentation to ensure easy identification and recall of the materials if needed.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Automotive Wire Supplier
Car Electrical System.
The auto parts market is awash with numerous automotive cable suppliers, meaning you must be careful. Some are not reputable and will deliver low-quality wires. But with these considerations, you’re safe.
- First, the supplier must offer guarantees for quality wires resistant to corrosion and long-term use. They must also be abrasion-proof and stay functional amidst vibrations and high temperatures.
- Secondly, the ideal supplier should have a variable assortment of wires. It will help you have a wide selection scope and ensure you settle on the right quality and type.
- You must also check for the supplier’s product certifications. Most importantly, the supplier must have the IATF 16949 certification.
- The ideal supplier must also provide customers with full-time technical support. A supplier who knows little to nothing about auto wiring is suspect. The company’s employees should be able to help you choose the ideal wire, depending on your application.
- Don’t forget to check out the customer reviews, which reflect what may happen when you buy the products. If you get a lot of disgruntled customers, you are probably in line to become one of them.
- Finally, you must choose a supplier whose pricing/payment model perfectly suits you. Also, a supplier that provides free or discounted product delivery is a significant benefit. But beware of suppliers who offer delivery offers but compromise on product quality.
Automotive Speaker Wire vs. Non-automotive Speaker Wire
Speaker Wiring.
When choosing a speaker wire, you should settle for the automotive kind over the non-automotive kind. The former has all the features for excellent operation in a car environment with vibration, heat, and moisture.
Contrastingly, the non-automotive wire can barely withstand any of those conditions. It’s, therefore, subject to failures or delivery of low-quality sound. Moreover, the service time for the automotive speaker wire is quite extensive.
So it’s all about making the tradeoff. The non-automotive speaker wire is cheap, but you’ll buy another one soon. Conversely, the automotive speaker cable guarantees years of excellent sound quality.
FAQs
Is Automotive Wire Insulation Important?
Yes, it ensures the integrity of the conducting wire is protected. It ensures that heat extremities, moisture, chemicals, and moving parts do not affect its conducting capacities. Also, flames can scorch the cable, but this risk is low with insulation.
Is Shielded Automotive Wire for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Protection necessary?
It is important, especially in audio transmission applications and where signals are involved. The shielding ensures the interference doesn’t interfere with the signal quality.
Wrap Up
No type of wire fits every application in the auto-wiring setup. Specificity is critical, so we have covered all the types while highlighting their respective applications.
Always use the suitable wire and have a qualified electrician do the installation to ensure a clean job.
