Single Conductor Cables (Hook-Up Wire)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
2843/7 WH005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 26AWG WHITE 100'	0
891265 WH002 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 12AWG WHITE 500'	1
392050 WH005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 20AWG WHITE 100'	117
5857 BR005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG BROWN 100'	1
422807 YL001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 28AWG YELLOW 1000'	0
1850 RD005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 32AWG RED 100'	93
461816 GR005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG GREEN 100'	64
6717 OR013 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 14AWG ORANGE 5000'	0
1852 SL005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 28AWG SLATE 100'	84
1857/19 WU005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG WHT/BLU 100'	4
295 SV001 Alpha Wire	WIRE BUS BAR 16AWG NONE 1000'	1
7131 SL001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 22AWG SLATE 1000'	2
67250 RD321 Alpha Wire	METRIC ECOWIRE 67250 RED 50 M 2.	35
421816 OR005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 18AWG ORANGE 100'	8
67250 YL033 Alpha Wire	METRIC ECOWIRE 67250 YELLOW 100	2
7054 BR001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 24AWG BROWN 1000'	32
AZ201932 RD001 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 20AWG RED 1000'	7
AT201932 WH005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 20AWG WHITE 100'	1
2844/7 RD005 Alpha Wire	HOOK-UP STRND 24AWG RED 100'	2324
3053 WN001 Alpha Wire	HOOKUP STRND 20AWG WHT/BRN 1000'	1

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.