Cable & Wire
Cables and wires are conductors that carry power and signal between systems and components. The right cable choice directly affects safety and signal integrity.
🔍 Search Cable & Wire partsCompare live price and stock across distributors for this category.
Jumper wires, ribbon cables, single/multi-strand hookup wire, shielded cable and enameled wire are the main types. Conductor gauge (AWG), current capacity, insulation type and flexibility matter when choosing one. Prototyping, power distribution and internal wiring are the most common uses.
Featured Cable & Wire
See all Cable & Wire →Popular in-catalog parts in this category — compare price and stock across distributors.
Top manufacturers
All manufacturers →Leading manufacturers known for Cable & Wire — explore their component lineup.
Learn about Cable & Wire
Free, in-depth guides explaining how these components work and where they're used.
In-depth guides for this category are on the way.
Frequently asked questions
What does the AWG value mean?+
AWG (American Wire Gauge) indicates wire thickness: the smaller the number, the thicker the wire and the more current it carries. For example 18 AWG is thicker than 24 AWG and suited to higher current.
What is the difference between solid and stranded wire?+
Solid wire is stiff and ideal for breadboards/through-hole boards; stranded wire is flexible and preferred where it bends repeatedly and in moving connections.
When is shielded cable needed?+
Shielded cable prevents external magnetic noise from corrupting a sensitive signal; it is used on audio, sensor and high-speed data lines when there is a noise problem.