Single Conductor Cables (Hook-Up Wire)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
1735 SL005 Alpha Wire	CBL 1COND STRND 22AWG SLATE 100'	4
AT121925 RD001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 12AWG RED 1000'	1
6710 DB005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 28AWG BLUE 100'	8
1563 RD001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP SOLID 20AWG RED 1000'	33
391662 BK002 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 16AWG BLACK 500'	2
461219 OR002 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 12AWG ORANGE 500'	2
7131 VI001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 22AWG VIOLET 1000'	2
392240 RD005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 22AWG RED 100'	154
782607 YL001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 26AWG YELLOW 1000'	4
1857 BL005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG BLUE 100'	62
6713 BK001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 22AWG BLACK 1000'	18
67010 WH321 Alpha Wire	METRIC ECOWIRE 67010 WHITE 50 M	3
67150 RD321 Alpha Wire	METRIC ECOWIRE 67150 RED 50 M 1.	46
3051/1 BR001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP SOLID 22AWG BROWN 1000'	6
6711 WU005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 26AWG WHT/BLU 100'	11
421816 GY001 Alpha Wire	HOOKUP STRND 18AWG GRN/YEL 1000'	2
3075 SL005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG SLATE 100'	7
3055 WO001 Alpha Wire	HOOKUP STRND 18AWG WHT/ORG 1000'	81
784133 VI001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 4AWG VIOLET 1000'	0
6719 YL005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 10AWG YELLOW 100'	3

Single Conductor Cables (Hook-Up Wire)

1. Overview

Single conductor cables, also known as hook-up wires, are insulated electrical conductors used for low-current signal and power transmission in electronic devices. They serve as fundamental components for internal wiring in PCBs, appliances, and control systems. Their importance lies in enabling reliable electrical connections while maintaining space efficiency and design flexibility in modern electronics.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
PVC-Insulated Wire	Cost-effective, flexible, 105 C temperature rating	Consumer electronics, HVAC systems
Silicone Rubber Insulated Wire	High flexibility (-55 C to 200 C), excellent thermal resistance	Industrial ovens, medical devices
PTFE/Teflon Insulated Wire	Chemical resistance, 200 C operational stability	Aerospace sensors, chemical processing equipment
High-Temperature Wire	Special polymer jackets for 150-300 C environments	Automotive engine compartments, lighting ballasts
Shielded Hook-Up Wire	Braided/aluminum foil shielding for EMI protection	Telecommunications equipment, measurement instruments

3. Structure and Composition

Typical construction includes:

Conductor: Annealed copper (most common), aluminum, or tinned copper (stranded or solid)
Insulation: Thermoplastic (PVC, polyethylene), thermoset (silicone rubber), or fluoropolymer materials
Shielding: Optional braided copper/aluminum foil layer for EMI protection
Jacket: Abrasion-resistant outer layer (PVC, polyurethane) in specific variants

Stranded conductors (e.g., 7/30, 19/34 stranding) optimize flexibility while maintaining conductivity.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Conductor Gauge (AWG/mm )	Defines current-carrying capacity (e.g., 30 AWG to 10 AWG)	Determines power transmission capability
Insulation Thickness	0.1-0.8 mm depending on voltage rating	Ensures dielectric strength and safety
Temperature Range	-65 C to 300 C operational limits	Dictates environmental suitability
Voltage Rating	30V to 1000V depending on insulation material	Safety and insulation performance indicator
Bending Life	500-50,000 flex cycles (MIL-W-5088L standard)	Crucial for dynamic applications
Shielding Effectiveness	60-100 dB coverage (100 kHz-1 GHz)	EMI/RFI interference reduction metric

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: PCB interconnects in smartphones, printers, and home appliances
Automotive: Sensor wiring, ABS system connections, battery management systems
Medical: ECG machine internal wiring, diagnostic equipment signal transmission
Industrial: PLC cabinet wiring, robotics joint connections
Aerospace: Avionics harnesses, flight control system terminations

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Alpha Wire (Alpha Technologies)	EZ-Hook 1385 Series	105 C PVC insulation, UL 1015/CSA Type TEW certification
Lapp Group	UNITRONIC LiYY	Oil-resistant PVC jacket, 300/500V rating
Panduit Corp.	Panfluor 200 Series	PTFE-insulated, meets FAA 25.853 flammability requirements
TE Connectivity	Raychem Hook-Up Wire	Heat-shrinkable insulation, aerospace qualified
Sumitomo Electric Industries	AeroElite Series	Lightweight composite insulation for aircraft wiring

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations:

Operating temperature range vs material thermal stability
Voltage/current requirements vs conductor cross-section
Mechanical stress environment (flexing, vibration)
Regulatory certifications (UL, CSA, MIL-SPEC)
Chemical exposure resistance (oil, coolant, cleaning agents)
EMI sensitivity requiring shielded variants

Example: Automotive engine control units typically require 150 C-rated silicone-insulated wires with vibration-resistant stranded conductors.

8. Industry Trend Analysis

Current development trends include:

Miniaturization: 32 AWG+ ultra-fine wires for wearable electronics
Material innovation: Halogen-free flame-retardant compounds
High-speed capability: Controlled impedance designs for data transmission
Automated manufacturing: Laser-marking and precision stripping compatibility
Sustainability focus: Recyclable insulation materials and lead-free production

The global hook-up wire market is projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR through 2027, driven by EV and IoT device demand according to MarketsandMarkets research.