Welding cable, you already know, must be rated to appropriate voltage and ampacity in order to safely handle the load it’s placed under when used for its intended application.
But these are prerequisites, and there are other factors that qualify this type of electrical cable as appropriate for the tasks for which it is used.
Two of these will be covered here.
Flexibility and a Durable, Protective Insulation
The main quality that defines welding cable is flexibility, which is the reason it is called “flexible welding cable” as often as it is simply called welding cable.
This is a trait that it shares in common with marine battery wire, albeit for a different reason.
It is accomplished via the same means as well. Welding cable is made with a high conductor count, with many finely stranded conductors that keep the cable highly flexible.
The reason for this is that welding often must be done in situ, on a jobsite, and often outdoors. While it may be possible to move the welding equipment itself, it is often not possible to move the workpiece. Therefore the cable and welding equipment must be brought to it, and to accomplish that, a highly flexible cable must be used to power welding equipment.
The other trait that defines welding cable is that it must be made with a high-quality, durable, protective insulation.
What these cables are insulated with can vary, but some cables are insulated with EPDM, or ethylene propylene diene monomer material, which is a highly durable synthetic rubber that is protective against a wide range of environmental conditions.
For one, it is resistant to high and low temperatures, weather, and moisture, making it suitable for use outdoors. It particularly offers a high degree of resistance to water exposure.
It is also resistant to ultraviolet light, which gives it another edge when used outdoors. For this reason, welding cable is sometimes also used as solar panel cable.
EPDM is also resistant to ozone, along with many other chemicals including but not limited to acetone, alcohol, and some acids and bases.
As a general rule, welding cable is made with insulative material that offers a reasonable degree of resistance to oil and gas, as these are often found on job sites.
In league with this is that the insulative material used as a jacket for these cables must also offer a high degree of mechanical strength and general durability. It should be resistant to abrasion as well.
These traits make welding cable more suitable for use outdoors and under unforgiving conditions, whether outdoors or not.
As a result of these attributes, welding cable can also be useful in certain circumstances as battery leads, as well as leads for motors and generators, in addition to solar panel cable, as mentioned. For some of these reasons, welding cable is sometimes insulated with a black or red jacket.
Where to Learn More About (or Get) High-Quality, Flexible Welding Cable
Whether you’re here to learn more about welding cable or you just need to add a wholesale electrical wire supplier of welding cable, visit EWCS Wire.
They carry a wide range of high-quality, specialty electrical wire and cable, including marine battery wire, instrumentation and alarm cable, building wire, tray cable, submersible pump cable, solar panel cable, DLO cable, and much more.
Visit their website and get in touch with them today if you still have questions.
For more information about Marine Electrical Wire and Tray Cable Please visit: Electrical Wire & Cable Specialists.
