Wiring Methods,

Cable Wiring, and

Raceway Methods
Wires vs. Cables
• Wires are those electrical conductors 8 mm² (AWG
No. 8) and smaller in sizes. Cables on the other hand,
are those which are larger than the wires. Wires and
Cables are either:

• A. Solid Wire
• B. Stranded Wire
• Solid Wire are constructed of one, single piece of metal.

• Stranded Wire consists of a group of wires twisted to form a

metallic string. The circular mil area of a stranded wire is
found by multiplying the circular mil area of each strand by
the total number of strand.

Solid Wire Stranded Wire

• Cord - is the term given to an insulated stranded
wire.

• Mil – Prior to the adoption of the Metric system (SI),

all electrical wires and cables sizes were expressed in
terms of AWG (American Wire Gauge). The word mil
that is equal to 1/1000 of an inch was used to describe
or measure a round wire diameter. If a wire has
diameter of one mil, it has a cross sectional area of
one circular mil.
The following formula and conversion factor is presented for
reference in computing the area of wires and cable.

Circular mil = d² ; Square mil = 3.1416 r² or πr²

Conversion Factor
Square mil = Square inch x .000001
Square inch = Square mil x 1,000,000
Square mil = Circular mil x 0.7854
Circular mil = Square mil x 1.273
Millimeter = Inches x 25.4
Square millimeter = Circular mil x 0.0005067
TABLE OF CIRCULAR MIL – AREA EQUIVALENT
Size Area Size Area
AWG or MCM Circular mil AWG or MCM Circular mil

18 1,620 1 83,690
16 2,580 0 105,600
14 4,110 00 133,100
12 6,530 000 167,800
10 10,380 0000 211,600
8 16,510 250 250,000
6 26,240 300 300,000
4 41,700 350 350,000
3 42,620 400 400,000
2 66,360 500 500,000
Example 1:
What is the equivalent size in square millimeter of a cable 250
MCM?
Sol.
a. AWG/MCM stands for thousand circular mils.

250 MCM x 1,000 = 250,000 circular mils

b. Square millimeter = Circular mil x 0.0005067

= 250,000 x 0.0005067
= 126.67 mm²
Example 2
What is the equivalent area of No. 8 conductor wire in square
inch?
Sol.
The area of No. 8 conductor wire in circular mil is 16,510.
Refer to table.
Square mil = circular mil x 0.7854
Square Inch = square mil x 0.000001
By Substitution:
Square mil = 16,510 x 0.7854
= 12,966.95 or 12,967
Square Inch = 12,966.95 x 0.000001
= 0.129 or 0.13 square inch
Different Types of
Wires and Cables
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL WIRES AND
CABLES
Product Description Temp Size Range Usage
TW Oil Resistant 60ºC 1.60mm – 500 Ordinary building wire
Thermoplastic mm² Solid &
Stranded
THW Oil, Heat and 1.60mm – 500 Building wire wet and dry
Moisture Resistant 75ºC mm² Solid &
Stranded
location
Thermoplastic
Aluminum Line 75ºC 12 – 400 ACC Polyethylene insulated
Wire weather resistant wire
Automotive Wire 105ºC #18 - #2 Primary wire spark plug
and battery cable
TV Antenna Wire No . 24 – No. 20 300 Ohms TV wire
Armoured Cable 60ºC 1.50mm-30mm² General Purpose
solid and stranded
2-3 & 4
conductors
Welding Cable 60ºC #6 - #4/0 Arc Welding Machine

Non-Metallic 60ºC 1.60mm–2.60mm² For exposed or concealed works in

Sheathed Cable (NM) 2,3 & 4 conductor air voids in masonry blocks or tile
round or flat walls not exposed to excessive
moisture or dampness, 600 volts
RACEWAY
Raceway

Raceways are channels or wiring accessories so designed for

holding wires, cables or busbars that are either made of metal,
plastic, or any insulating mediums.
The common types of raceways for households wiring
installations are:
a. The conduit
b. The connectors and other accessories
Other Types of Raceways
Aside from the conduits and connectors, there are other types
of raceways such as:
1. Conduit coupling, elbows and other fittings
2. Conduit supports, such as clamps, hanger, etc.
3. Cable trays, cable bus, etc.
4. Metal raceways
5. Nonmetal raceways and other.
THAT’S ALL, THANK YOU!!!