Definition

1. Noun:
   • A physical assembly of one or more insulated conductors (wires), typically sheathed in a protective outer layer, designed to carry electrical power or signals from one point to another. It is a fundamental component for transmitting electricity in buildings, between devices, or across infrastructure.

Usage

• Electrical cable is a count noun. You can have one cable or many cables.
• It is commonly used to describe the permanent wiring within walls, the flexible cords connecting appliances to outlets, or the heavy-duty lines used in power distribution.
• Example: "Before drilling into the wall, you must check for any hidden electrical cable."
• Example: "The technician laid a new electrical cable from the street to the house."

Examples

• The old electrical cable had degraded insulation and needed to be replaced for safety.
• This extension cord uses a heavy-duty electrical cable suitable for power tools.
• The entire network of electrical cables within the building is called the wiring system.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a cable": To install or route an electrical cable through a specific path.
  • We need to run a cable from the breaker box to the new kitchen island.
• "Cable management": The practice of organizing and securing electrical cables (and others, like data cables) to improve safety and appearance.
  • Good cable management behind your desk prevents tangles and tripping hazards.

Variants and Related Words

• Cable (noun): A more general term that can refer to a strong rope, a wire rope, or an electrical/telecommunications line. Context usually clarifies the meaning. "Electrical cable" specifies the type.
• Wire (noun): A single, slender, flexible strand or rod of metal. An electrical cable often contains multiple wires inside its sheath.
• Cord (noun): Often used interchangeably with "cable" for flexible, insulated cables used to connect portable appliances to a power source (e.g., a power cord, an extension cord).
• Wiring (noun, uncountable): Refers to the complete system of cables and associated devices within a structure.

Synonyms

• Power line (though this often implies larger, overhead cables for public distribution).
• Conduit (this specifically refers to the protective pipe or tube through which cables are run, not the cable itself).

Related Phrases

• Underground cable: An electrical cable designed to be buried directly in the ground.
• Armored cable: A cable with a protective metal sheath for mechanical protection.
• Coaxial cable: A specific type of electrical cable with a central conductor surrounded by insulation and a shield, used for transmitting television signals or data.

Noun

1. a cable that provides an electrical connection for telephone or television or power stations