What Are Wire?

Wire in this category includes insulated conductors and multi-conductor cable assemblies used to distribute electrical power or carry control and communication signals. In trade terms, buyers usually sort wire by construction and use case rather than by the generic word wire alone. NMD90 is commonly used for concealed dry-location building wiring. AC90 adds armour for mechanical protection in many commercial and institutional spaces. Teck90 is widely used in industrial settings where a tougher jacketed armoured cable is preferred. ACWU is commonly chosen for wet locations and direct burial. Cabtire refers to flexible portable cable used for equipment, temporary power, and movable connections. Belden cable, Cat 5e, and LVT cover communication, data, and low-voltage control applications where signal integrity matters as much as physical protection.

Where Are Wire Used?

Building wire is used anywhere power or signals need to move from source to load. Residential electricians often buy NMD90 for lighting, receptacle, and appliance branch circuits in dry concealed spaces. Commercial contractors may use AC90 for tenant fit-outs, schools, offices, and retail work where armoured cable speeds installation and provides protection. Industrial and maintenance teams often specify Teck90 for equipment feeds, motor connections, and exposed runs in plants, utilities, and process facilities. ACWU is common outdoors, underground, and in wet environments. Cabtire is used for welders, portable tools, pumps, generators, and equipment that moves or vibrates. Belden cable, Cat 5e, and LVT are used for controls, BAS, security, access control, audio, data, and other extra-low-voltage systems.

How To Choose Wire

Start with the installation environment. Ask whether the run is indoors or outdoors, dry or wet, concealed or exposed, fixed or flexible, and whether it needs armour or sunlight and burial resistance. Then confirm the electrical requirements: system voltage, conductor count, grounding needs, ampacity, and whether the load is power, control, or data. For branch-circuit power in dry framed construction, NMD90 is often the practical choice. For exposed commercial work where mechanical protection matters, AC90 may be more suitable. For industrial feeders and equipment circuits, Teck90 is often preferred because it combines armour with an outer jacket. For underground or wet-location work, ACWU is commonly considered. For portable equipment, choose cabtire based on flexibility, jacket toughness, and conductor count. For communication cable, match category, shielding, pair count, and jacket rating to the system design. Always verify the exact cable marking and approval for the intended use.

Trade Rules Of Thumb

A practical rule of thumb is to choose the simplest cable that fully suits the environment. If the run is dry, concealed, and protected by building construction, NMD90 is often more economical and faster to pull than armoured alternatives. If the cable will be exposed to impact or installed in commercial open areas, armoured cable is often worth the added material cost because it can reduce the need for separate raceway. For industrial work, Teck90 is often chosen when the jobsite is rough, washdown is possible, or future maintenance access matters. For low-voltage cable, keep power and signal separation in mind to reduce interference. For longer runs, voltage drop becomes a buying issue as much as a design issue because upsizing conductors early is usually cheaper than troubleshooting poor equipment performance later. These are typical trade practices only and are not a substitute for the Canadian Electrical Code, engineered design, or local inspection requirements.

Sizing Guidelines

For power cable, sizing starts with load current, overcurrent protection, conductor temperature rating, installation conditions, and allowable voltage drop. As a rule of thumb, many contractors try to keep branch-circuit voltage drop to approximately 3 percent and total feeder plus branch drop to approximately 5 percent, but the actual design basis should be confirmed for the project. Longer runs, bundled conductors, higher ambient temperatures, and rooftop or industrial conditions may require upsizing or derating. For communication cable, sizing is less about ampacity and more about conductor gauge, pair count, shielding, bandwidth category, and distance limits for the protocol being used. For flexible cabtire, confirm both conductor size and jacket suitability for the equipment duty. Always use approved ampacity tables, manufacturer data, and applicable code rules when finalising conductor size and cable type.

Common Installation Practices

Good installation practice starts with protecting the cable from damage during storage, pulling, and termination. Keep reels supported properly, avoid dragging cable through abrasive surfaces, and respect minimum bend radius and pulling tension limits. For NMD90, neat routing and proper support spacing help avoid sheath damage and call-backs. For AC90 and Teck90, use the correct fittings, anti-short bushings where required, and proper armour preparation tools. For ACWU and outdoor cable, pay attention to sealing, burial method, and transition points into buildings or enclosures. For cabtire, strain relief and movement protection are often as important as conductor size. For Cat 5e and other signal cable, avoid tight bends, excessive untwist at terminations, and close parallel runs with power conductors unless the system design allows it. Final installation details should always match the cable listing, manufacturer instructions, and local code interpretation.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is buying by conductor gauge alone without checking the cable construction. A 2-conductor cable for dry indoor use is not interchangeable with a 2-conductor cable intended for wet, buried, or flexible service. Another frequent issue is underestimating mechanical protection needs, especially in commercial and industrial spaces where exposed cable can be damaged after turnover. Buyers also sometimes overlook jacket and insulation ratings for sunlight, moisture, oil, or temperature exposure. In low-voltage work, mixing communication cable types without checking shielding, category, or plenum and riser requirements can create performance problems. Another avoidable error is failing to account for voltage drop on long runs. Finally, matching fittings to cable type is critical. Incorrect connectors, glands, or termination methods can turn a correct cable choice into an installation problem.

Brand Comparisons

In the broader Canadian market, Southwire, General Cable, and Belden are commonly recognised names depending on the cable type and application. Southwire and General Cable are often cross-shopped on building wire and power cable because both are widely specified and familiar to contractors. Belden is especially well known in communication, control, and signal cable, where consistency, shielding options, and system compatibility often matter more than simple price per metre. When matching an existing installation, staying with the same brand family may be the practical choice if markings, approvals, or performance expectations are already established on the project. When comparing alternatives, focus less on brand preference alone and more on exact cable designation, approvals, conductor material, jacket construction, and availability. For many jobs, the right substitute is the one that matches the required cable type and installation conditions without creating fitting, termination, or inspection issues.

Related Products

Wire purchases are usually tied to fittings, connectors, straps, staples, glands, boxes, device boxes, junction boxes, wire connectors, pulling lubricant, fish tape, cable cutters, and test equipment. AC90, Teck90, and ACWU often require cable connectors, glands, bonding hardware, and armour preparation tools matched to the cable size and enclosure type. NMD90 jobs commonly involve staples, boxes, connectors, and rough-in accessories. Cabtire installations may need cord ends, strain relief fittings, plugs, receptacles, and portable power devices. Belden cable, Cat 5e, and LVT projects often require jacks, patch panels, terminations, cable management, and labelling supplies. Buying the cable without the correct termination and support hardware is a common source of delays on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between NMD90 and AC90?

NMD90 is a non-metallic sheathed cable commonly used for concealed dry indoor wiring, while AC90 is an armoured cable used where added mechanical protection is needed. The right choice depends on the installation method, exposure, and project requirements.

When should I choose Teck90 instead of AC90?

Teck90 is often chosen for industrial, outdoor, or harsher environments where a jacketed armoured cable is preferred. AC90 is commonly used indoors in commercial and institutional work. The final choice depends on the exact location, exposure, and specification.

Is ACWU suitable for underground installation?

ACWU is commonly used for wet locations and direct burial applications, but the exact installation method, depth, protection, and fittings still need to match code and manufacturer requirements. Always confirm the specific cable marking before purchase.

Can cabtire be used as permanent building wiring?

Cabtire is generally selected for flexible equipment connection and portable power applications rather than as a universal substitute for fixed building wire. Its suitability depends on the intended use, equipment, and code rules for the installation.

How do I choose between Belden cable, Cat 5e, and LVT?

Choose based on the system being installed. Cat 5e is commonly used for Ethernet and structured cabling, Belden cable is often selected for control, instrumentation, and communication applications, and LVT is used for low-voltage control or signal circuits. Match the cable to the protocol, environment, and termination hardware.