3: Solid Copper Wire- A single, thick
Cooper cable strand of copper makes up solid
Ethernet LANs are most widely built using UTP copper wire. Because this wire is
cables. UTP cable is made of 8 copper wires, more rigid and less flexible than
grouped together in four twisted pairs. Each pair other types of copper wire, it is best
has a color scheme in which one wire is solid suited for use in fixed-wiring
colored and the other one is the same color but
applications.
striped. Typical Ethernet UTP cable has RJ-45
connectors on both ends.
When were copper cables used? 4: Stranded Copper Wire- Stranded
copper wire is made up of multiple
1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invents the thin copper strands twisted together.
telephone. Later in 1881 he patents copper
twisted pairs and the modern telephone This wire is more flexible and
system is born. 1877 - First commercial stronger than solid copper wire. This
telephone exchanges in Germany, Belgium, makes it ideal for applications that
US & UK. 1884 - The first long distance require bending or movement on a
telephone connection made of copper was regular basis.
set up between Boston and New York.
5: Tinsel Wire-Tinsel wire is made up
30 Different Types of Copper Wire and How
They Are Used in Cables of thin strands of copper wire that
are wrapped in a polyester film. This
1: Oxygen-Free Copper Wire- wire is frequently used in
Oxygen-free copper wire, also known applications requiring a high degree
as OFC wire, is a high-end copper of flexibility, such as headphone
wire that has a purity level of cables and other portable electronic
99.95% or higher. Because of its low devices.
distortion and high conductivity, this
wire is commonly used in high-
fidelity audio equipment and other 6: Magnet Wire-Magnet wire, also
high-performance applications. known as enameled wire, is a type of
copper wire that has been insulated
2: Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire- CCA with a thin layer. This wire is
wire, or copper-clad aluminum wire, commonly used in electromagnets
is a less expensive alternative to and other electrical applications that
pure copper wire. This wire has an require a high level of conductivity.
aluminum core coated with a thin
layer of copper. CCA wire is 7: Litz Wire-Litz wire is made up of
commonly used in low-end audio twisted strands of insulated copper
equipment and other applications wire. This wire is commonly used in
where cost is an important high-frequency applications where
consideration. signal loss can be caused by the skin
effect.
8: Silver-Plated Copper Wire-Silver- 13: Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper
plated copper wire is a type of Wire-ETP copper wire, or electrolytic
copper wire that has a thin layer of tough pitch copper wire, is a type of
silver applied to it. This wire is copper wire that has been refined to
commonly used in high-end audio remove impurities. This wire is
equipment and other applications commonly used in high-performance
that require high conductivity and applications requiring a high level of
low distortion. conductivity, such as electrical
motors and transformers.
9: Bare Copper Wire-The term “bare
copper wire” refers to the copper 14: Oxygen-Free High Thermal
wire that has no insulation or Conductivity Copper Wire-Oxygen-
coating. This wire is frequently used free high thermal conductivity
in electrical grounding applications. copper wire is also known as OFHC
copper wire It is a type of copper
10: Braided Copper Wire-The braided wire with high thermal conductivity
copper wire consists of multiple in addition to high conductivity. This
strands of copper wire braided wire is commonly used in heat
together. This type of wire is exchangers and cryogenic
commonly used in applications that equipment that require both
require a high level of flexibility and electrical and thermal conductivity.
durability, such as automotive wiring
and electronic devices. 15: Nickel-Silver Wire-Nickel-silver
wire is a type of copper wire that
11: Nickel-Plated Copper Wire-Nickel- contains nickel and zinc in addition
plated copper wire is a type of to copper. This type of wire is
copper wire that has a thin layer of commonly used in applications that
nickel applied to it. This wire is require a high level of corrosion
commonly used in corrosion- resistance, such as marine
resistant applications, such as and automotive applications.
marine and automotive applications.
16: Copper-Nickel Alloy Wire-Copper-
12: Annealed Copper Wire-Annealed nickel alloy wire is a type of copper
copper wire is a type of copper wire wire that contains nickel in addition
that has been heat-treated to to copper. This type of wire is
improve flexibility and decrease commonly used in applications that
brittleness. This wire is commonly require a high level of corrosion
used in applications that require resistance and durability, such
bending or movement on a regular as marine and offshore structures.
basis.
17: Copper-Magnesium Alloy Wire- 22: Lead Wire-Lead wire is a copper
Copper-magnesium alloy wire is a wire that contains trace amounts of
type of copper wire that also lead. This wire is commonly used in
contains magnesium. This wire is electrical applications requiring
commonly used in electrical wiring pliability and resistance to vibration
applications requiring high strength and movement.
and durability.
23: Copper-Steel Alloy Wire-Copper-
18: Copper-Tin Alloy Wire-Copper-tin steel alloy wire is a type of copper
alloy wire is a type of copper wire wire that also contains steel. This
that also contains tin. This wire is wire is commonly used in electrical
commonly used in electrical wiring applications requiring high strength
applications requiring high corrosion and durability.
resistance, such as marine and
offshore structures. 24: Copper-Nickel-Tin Alloy Wire-
Copper-nickel-tin alloy wire is a type
19: Copper-Silver Alloy Wire-Copper- of copper wire that also contains
silver alloy wire is a type of copper nickel and tin. This wire is commonly
wire that also contains silver. This used in electrical wiring applications
wire is frequently used in electrical requiring high corrosion resistance
wiring that needs high conductivity and durability.
and low contact resistance
25: Copper-Nickel-Silicon Alloy Wire-
20: Oxygen-Free Copper Magnet Copper-nickel-silicon alloy wire is a
Wire-Oxygen-free copper magnet type of copper wire that also
wire is a magnet wire made of contains nickel and silicon. This wire
oxygen-free copper. This wire is is commonly used in electrical wiring
commonly used in high-performance applications requiring high strength,
electromagnets and other electrical durability, and corrosion resistance.
applications requiring high
conductivity. 26: Oxygen-Free High Conductivity
Copper Wire-Oxygen-free high
21: Tin-Plated Copper Wire-Tin- conductivity copper wire is a type of
plated copper wire is a type of copper wire that has a high
copper wire that has a thin layer of conductivity as well as being
tin applied to it. This wire is oxygen-free. This wire is frequently
commonly used in electrical wiring used in high-performance electrical
applications requiring high corrosion applications like superconductors
resistance. and particle accelerators.
27: Copper-Nickel-Manganese Alloy characteristics to look for, which can
Wire-Copper-nickel-manganese alloy be measured with a multimeter or
wire is a type of copper wire that other electrical testing equipment.
also contains nickel and manganese. Other factors to consider include the
This wire is commonly used in wire’s diameter, color, and any
electrical applications requiring high markings or labels on the wire’s
insulation.
corrosion resistance, particularly in
marine environments. Solid vs. Stranded Copper Wire:
Which is Better?
28: Silver-Plated Copper Wire-Silver- The two main types of copper wire
plated copper wire is a type of used in electrical applications are
copper wire that has a thin layer of solid and stranded copper wire. Solid
copper wire is made from a single
silver applied to it. This wire is
piece of solid copper and is
commonly used in electrical
commonly used in applications
applications requiring high requiring high conductivity and
conductivity, low contact resistance, strength. Stranded copper wire, on
and good corrosion resistance. the other hand, is made by twisting
together multiple thin strands of
29: Copper-Nickel-Iron Alloy Wire- copper wire to form a larger wire.
Copper-nickel-iron alloy wire is a Stranded wire is commonly used in
applications that require a high level
type of copper wire that also
of flexibility, bending resistance, and
contains nickel and iron. This wire is
vibration resistance.
commonly used in electrical
applications that require a high level There is no one-size-fits-all solution
of strength, durability, and corrosion for deciding between the solid and
and oxidation resistance. stranded copper wire. The best type
of wire for your application will be
30: Copper-Nickel-Silver Alloy Wire- determined by a number of factors,
Copper-nickel-silver alloy wire is a including your application’s specific
type of copper wire that contains requirements, your budget, and your
nickel and silver in addition to personal preferences. In general,
copper. This type of wire is solid copper wire is best for
commonly used in electrical applications requiring high
applications that require a high level conductivity and strength, whereas
of conductivity, low contact stranded copper wire is best for
resistance, and resistance to applications requiring high flexibility
corrosion and oxidation. and resistance to bending and
vibration.
How to Identify Different Types of
Copper Wire
Identifying the various types of
copper wire can be difficult, but
there are a few key characteristics to
look for that can assist you in
determining the type of wire you are
working with. The conductivity of the
wire is one of the most important
