If you want to build or upgrade your home’s electrical wiring, you should look into the type and the prices of electric wire in Philippines.
Wires carry electricity from the power source to your appliances, lights, and other gadgets.
Choosing the right electric lines can make sure that your electrical system is safe and works well.
What is Electric Wire?
Electric wire is a metal conductor that has insulation or covering around it. It moves electricity and is a necessary part of all electrical systems.
Copper and aluminum are often used as conductors because they are cheap and good at what they do.
The insulation, which is usually made of thermoplastic or thermoset materials, keeps water, heat, and physical damage from getting into the wire.
Wires are different from cables because they only have one conductor inside the insulation, while cables have more than one conductor inside a covering.
They are used for many things, like light fixtures, communication equipment, and safety tools like electric fence wire.
Types of Electric Wire
There are many different kinds of electric wires, each with its own specs and uses. Here are some popular ones:
1. NM Cable
NM Cable is a non-metallic cable for dry indoor areas. It has separate wires wrapped in plastic.
UF wire is a durable underground feeder wire that can be buried directly in the ground or in wet places.
2. THHN/THWN Wire
Single-conductor wires that are resistant to heat, water, and wear and have a thermoplastic core and a nylon coating.
3. Low-voltage wire
Low-voltage wire carries low-voltage energy for things like doorbells, thermostats, and security systems.
4. Phone and Data Wire
This wire used for communication devices like phones, modems, and routers. There are different groups based on speed and capacity.
5. Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cable carries high-frequency data for radio, TV, and internet use.
Choosing the right electric wire varies on the project and needs. To get the best results, you should think about the type of wire and its specific needs.
Electrical Wire Sizes
The gauge or cross-sectional area of an electric wire tells us how much power it can safely carry.
The right wire size depends on how much load or power your devices and gadgets need, as well as how far the wires need to run.
If you use a line that is too small for the load, it could overheat, which could start a fire, or the voltage could drop.
On the other hand, If you use a wire that is too big for your load, you may lose money and energy.
In the Philippines, there are several standard sizes of electric wire.
| Wire Size | Ampacity |
|---|---|
| 6 gauge | 55 amps |
| 8 gauge | 40 amps |
| 10 gauge | 30 amps |
| 12 gauge | 20 amps |
| 14 gauge | 15 amps |
Electrical Wire Color Coding
Color-coding electric lines is a key way to figure out what they do and how they connect in electrical systems.
Whether the wire is AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current), the color code can be different.
The following is the color code for AC wiring systems that are popular in homes and buildings:
- Black: This is the “hot” wire, which brings live electricity from the power source.
- Red: This is another hot wire. It brings live electricity from another source or a switch.
- White: The neutral wire finishes the circuit and sends electricity back to where it came from.
- Green: This is the ground wire, which lets extra electricity safely move to the earth.
- Blue: This is a hot wire that is used for things like smoke alarms or three-way switches.
- Yellow is another hot wire that is used for things like intercoms and four-way buttons.
For DC wiring systems, which are popular in cars and battery-powered devices, the color coding is a little different:
- Red: This is the “positive” wire, which carries electricity from the power source.
- Black: The negative wire finishes the circuit and sends the current back to where it came from.
- Green: Just like in AC circuits, the ground wire gives excess current a safe way to flow to the earth.
- Blue: This is the positive wire for special uses.
- Yellow: Another positive line used for special purposes.
Electrical Wire Price List
The electrical wire price list Philippines varies on a number of things, like the type, size, brand, quality, and number of wires you need.
The prices may also change based on where you buy them. For example, online shops may have lower prices than stores you go to in person.
Here are some examples of electrical wire price lists in the Philippines:
| Electric Wire | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stranded Wire 22 AWG for Low-Voltage DIY Projects | Length: 1m | ₱17 |
| Royal Cord (black and red wires inside or black, red, and white wires inside) | Size: 10/2; 16; 14; 12 Length: 1m | ₱45 |
| Flat Cord | Size: 22 Length: 5m | ₱65 |
| Size: 16 Length: 5m | ₱145 | |
| Size: 18 Length: 5m | ₱102 | |
| Wiremax THHN/THWN Wire (all colors) | Size: 6/7 Length: 1m | ₱98 |
| Heavy Duty Electrical Wire | Size: 2 x 2.5 mm Length: 10m | ₱125 |
| Welding cable | Size: 2/10; 1/10 Length: 1m | ₱155 |
| PDX Electrical Wire NM Type Pure Copper Core | Size: 12/2 Length: 25m | ₱1,475 |
| Original Boston THHN/THWN Electrical Stranded Wire (all colors) | Size 14/7 Length: 150m | ₱2,165 |
These prices are only estimates and may change over time due to market fluctuations.
Things You Should Know About Electrical Wire
Before you buy electric wires for your electrical system installation or upgrade project , here are some things you should know:
- What are the three kinds of wires used in home electricity circuits? The three types of wires used in home circuits are the Earth wire, Live wire, and Neutral wire.
- What do you call power wiring? Power wiring is commonly referred to as Romex or Non-metallic (NM) cable.
- Is it an electrical line or a cable? An electrical line refers to a single conductor, while an electrical cable consists of multiple conductors insulated together in a single jacket.
- Why is it important to wire electricity? Electrical wiring is important as it forms the foundation of an electrical system and ensures safety in emergencies.
- Is a wire a part of an electric circuit? Yes it is, a wire is part of an electric circuit. It serves as a conductor that carries electricity between components, along with a power source and a load.
