Saturday, November 9, 2013
Automotive Wire Types
Cars use many different systems to operate properly. They have a fuel system, an exhaust system, a computer system and an electrical system. Both the computer and electrical systems have wires that relay current and information to different parts of the vehicle. Recognizing the different wires not only aids in repair, but it can help a driver troubleshoot problems before they occur.
Battery Cables
Battery cables come in three main types: SGR, SGX and SGT. All three types have thick copper cores. The difference comes in the insulation type. SGR stands for Starter or Ground General Purpose Ground Rubber. This means the wire is strong enough to handle high voltage and is insulated with rubber. SGX wires copper stranded cables are insulated with cross linked polyethylene. This protects the wire at a higher temperature. SGT wire is insulated with thermoplastic. This is a material that protects the wires up to a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Silicone Rubber Motor Lead
Silicone Rubber Motor Lead, or SRML, is used in the hottest parts of the engine. This type of wire has a tin and copper core. It is insulated with a silicone and rubber layer and covered with braided fiberglass. This is the wire with highest temperature tolerance in a car. This wire is heat resistant to almost 400 degrees. It is used for everything from wiring lighting in high-temperature places to carrying electrical impulses to the motor.
Brake Wire
Brake wire is part of the electrical brake system. In an electrical brake system, brake fluid and mechanical junctions are replaced with an electrical signal that is sent from the brake pad to the brakes. This wire is made of copper and has polyvinyl insulation. It is heat resistant to more than 220 degrees.
Automotive Primary Wire
Automotive Primary Wire is the most common form of wire used in a car. This is the wire that carries voltage to lights, the dashboard, electrical windows and locks, GPS, stereo and other electrical devices in the car. These wires also carry information from the cars onboard computer to the engine, exhaust system and other areas that the computer monitors. This wire is made of copper and insulated with cross-linked polyethylene.
Speaker Wire
Speaker wire is used in cars just as it is used in the home. Since it carries a very low electrical charge and doesnt require protection from higher temperatures that a wire in the motor needs, it is insulated in polyvinyl chloride. There are two wires, each insulated separately, in a strand of speaker wire. One is tin and the other is copper. This wire is used to carry signals from the stereo system to the speakers.
No comments:
Post a Comment