Wire harness, cable assembly, cable harness, wiring assembly... these words get used interchangeably, but are they considered the same thing? The technical answer is no. Wires and cables perform a similar function but in different ways. Likewise, so do assemblies and harnesses. For this reason, terms like wire harness, cable harness, and cable assembly must not be used to describe the same solution.
So, as your premier cable assembly manufacturer, we want to provide you with industry-leading knowledge about electrical cable assemblies and more. With that in mind, discover the essential information that product teams and engineers should know about the key differences in these equipment types.
Wire vs. Cable
To sort through the wire/cable harness/assembly debacle, it’s important to first understand the difference between a wire and a cable. A wire is a single strand of material (usually copper or aluminum) that conducts electricity.
A cable, meanwhile, is two or more wires that are bonded or braided together to conduct electricity. The difference between the two is capability. A single wire only has one conductor, which reduces its ability to regulate friction and voltage. Cables, on the other hand, have multiple conductors, enabling them to provide higher stability and power quality.
Wire Harness vs. Cable Assembly: Your Cable Assembly Manufacturer Covers the Key Distinctions
By definition, harnesses and assemblies appear to do the same thing (similar to wires and cables). However, once again, the difference is capability. Read on for the full explanation from your vetted custom cable assemblies manufacturer.
An Overview of Wire Harnesses
A wire harness is a collection of individually sheathed wires that are bundled together to form a unit. This unit of wires provides electrical connectivity while keeping electrical components organized.
Though wire harnesses are ideal for projects with limited space, they can also be found in large-scale applications. The primary advantage of using wire harnesses is the ease of installation. Rather than route multiple single wires in a system, harnesses bundle wires together, enabling them to be routed simultaneously to expedite the process and reduce the risk of human error.
What Are Cable Assemblies?
An electrical cable assembly is a collection of cables or wires that are braided and wrapped together in a single protective sheath to form one unified assembly. Like a wire harness, cable assemblies provide electrical connectivity while keeping wires and cables organized, but they serve a much more specific purpose—to protect wires and cables from mechanical and environmental elements.
The exterior of a cable assembly looks basic and consists of a heavy-duty thermoplastic material. This outer layer protects internal components from application-specific demands, including extreme temperature, friction, vibration, weather, chemical exposure, UV exposure, strain, and other environmental and mechanical factors.
To ensure that an electrical cable assembly can withstand the application environment, most manufacturers offer a spectrum of off-the-shelf solutions as well as a high degree of design flexibility and customization. While this may add to the initial cost of the solution, ROI is quickly achieved through performance, reliability, and life span.
If you’re still wanting to know more and have been searching online for “what are cable assemblies,” please contact your custom cable assemblies manufacturer, iCONN Systems, for more information.
Wire vs. Cable Harnesses Wrap-Up
To recap, wire harnesses are characterized by the following:
- Individually insulated wires
- Electrical systems being organized through them
- Designs ideal for spatial constraints
- Simplified installation
A recap of cable assemblies includes:
- Wires and cables combined into one assembly
- Highly customized
- Designed to provide specialized protection
- Ideal for applications requiring the utmost performance and reliability
These electrical elements might perform similar functions, but their purpose when utilized in a system is not. For more information on how to select the right interconnect solution for your application and prevent costly mistakes, download our buyer's guide.
Why iCONN Systems Is Your Choice for Connectors, Cable Assemblies, and More
As your custom cable assemblies manufacturer, we strive to create application-specific, one-of-a-kind equipment to satisfy your project needs. This includes producing cables, connectors, and more for the following industries:
No matter the application, know that iCONN Systems is prepared to provide you with a custom, high-quality connector or assembly that lasts for years to come.
Make iCONN Systems YourCustom Cable Assemblies Manufacturer
We’re proud to offer custom cable assemblies for your application and industry needs. With that in mind, please contact our team of experts with any questions you have, as we look forward to assisting you.
