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Hook-Up & Lead Wire

Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable is a leading provider of standard and custom hook-up wire solutions for a wide range of applications.

Enclosed electronics, such as vehicle systems, appliances, control panels, and electronic meters contain hook-up wire to deliver power to and between various components. Hook-up wire is low-voltage, low-current wire with a single copper conductor covered with insulating material. It is also referred to as insulated wire, lead wire, single-core insulated cable, or electronic wire.

Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable has over 100 years of experience providing hook-up and lead wire solutions to customers in many industries. Learn more about what hook-up wire is, the different types, and the benefits it has for many applications.

Hook-Up Wire

What is Hook-Up Wire?

Hook-up wire is typically used in low-voltage (i.e., 600V or less), low-current, enclosed electronic systems. It has a single copper conductor, which can be a solid strand or a bundle of thin strands. Insulating materials including PTFE, PVC, neoprene, silicone, or rubber surround the core.

Selecting the Right Hook-Up Wire for Your Application

It’s important to select a hook-up wire that’s rated for the voltage, amperage, and wattage of the application. The setting or environment, such as indoor, outdoor, highly corrosive, or marine, is another critical consideration.

We offer several different types of hook-up wire:

Types of Hook-Up Wire

UL Style:

UL-style hook-up wire is designed for internal wiring applications, including meters, panels, electronic equipment, and appliances. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification means the wire meets requirements for environmental impact, quality, efficiency, and safety under the intended amperage and voltage. Common examples include UL 1015 and UL 1007; however, there are many UL styles to choose from, depending on the needs of an application.

High-Temperature:

High-temperature wire is used in operating conditions that exceed 150 °C, such as many aerospace, automotive, military, and industrial applications, including wiring in industrial heating, cooking appliances, and furnaces. Insulating and jacket materials may be made from fiberglass, mica, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), or silicone.

MIL-Spec:

MIL-Spec requirements define strict specifications for materials used in military and defense applications. Depending on the MIL-Spec number, wires must meet requirements for safety, shock, vibration, durability, temperature and corrosion resistance, and exposure to the elements. Common examples we offer include MIL-W-76, MIL-W-5086, MIL-W-16878, and MIL-W-22759.

Building & Fixture:

Building and fixture hook-up wire is commonly used in commercial and residential structures, tools, appliances, lighting fixtures, and control panels. They are made to meet the requirements of buildings, including durability and code compliance.

We carry a variety of hook-up wires for these applications, including TFN and TFFN building wire. These contain UL-rated conductors, for safe operation in industrial, commercial, and residential structures, as well as high-heat environments. Building and fixture wires are also ideal for raceways, machine tools, branch circuits, control circuits, appliances, and general-purpose interior wiring.

Automotive:

Automotive applications require hook-up wires that withstand shock, vibration, and high temperatures. They are ideal for routing power from the car battery to lighting and braking systems in cars, RVs, trailers, and trucks, as well as motors and generators. Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable offers several automotive-grade hook-up wire types, including TXL, SXL, SGT, HDT, GXL, and GPT-rated wire.

Hook-Up Wire Benefits

Hook-up wire is useful in such a wide range of applications because it is available in many configurations for specific needs. Some of the benefits of hook-up wire are:

  • Electrical Conductivity. Copper cores have exceptional conductivity for reliable performance and efficient power transfer.
  • Flexibility and Maneuverability. Hook-up wire can be made with a single, solid core or a bundle of thin cores, which makes them suitable for exterior use, confined or small space installation, and other places where installation is a challenge.
  • Durability and Long Service Life. Hook-up wire is resistant to wear and tear, and can be insulated and jacketed with a range of high-performance materials for longevity.
  • Temperature and Chemical Resistance. Hook-up wire provides safe operation in harsh indoor and outdoor climates and environments with high temperatures and corrosion.
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Hook-Up & Lead Wire

Consolidated, Your Trusted Hook-Up & Lead Wire Manufacturer

Understanding the types of hook-up and lead wire available and their use cases helps you select the best wire for your needs. Consolidated Electronic Wire & Cable offers UL-style, high-temperature, MIL-Spec, building and fixture, and automotive hook-up wire options in a range of sizes, ampacities, and insulating materials. Our extensive selection of wire and value-added services provide a one-stop shopping solution for standard and custom wiring needs.

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