(Home and a car.) Suggest reasons why different wires are used in different situations.
2 wire power cable, supplies AC power to the appliance 3 wire power cable, supplies AC power and safety ground to the appliance RF cable for Cable TV hookup. Carries RF signal for TV signals (and internet and phone signal) from cable company to TV USB bus cable connects computer peripherals Firewire bus cable connects computer peripherals Dual audio shielded cable connects stereo audio signals Tripple shielded cable for component TV connection connects TV video signal HDMI cable connects TV video and audio signal S video cable connects TV video signal composite video cable connects TV video signal .
The previous answer is very correct and covers a variety of applications. What is missing is the selection of a size (or gauge) of wire based on the application. The size of the conductor (wiring) must be adequate to support the electrical load. If you are going to attach an appliance to a power source, the wire must be sized based on the amount of current the appliance will draw. Look at your power cords around the house, some are much heavier, particularly on the refrigerator, laundry, air conditioner, and etc. Same with your car. The battery has to support all the electrical loads so the cables are extra heavy compared with anything else in the car.
Copper is the most common material for electrical wiring. Of the metals commonly used for conductors, copper, has a high conductivity. The reason why it is flexible and goes back to its original shape is because the insulation that is used.
