Types of cables, Uses, Benefits, and challenges

Cables are the backbone of modern electrical and communication systems. They are used to transmit electrical power, signals, and data over short and long distances. Depending on their construction and purpose, there are different types of cables such as electrical cables, communication cables, fiber-optic cables, coaxial cables, USB/data cables, and telephone cables.

In simple terms, a cable is a conductor—or a group of conductors—protected by insulation and often by armoring, designed to work reliably under environmental conditions like heat, moisture, or mechanical stress. Whether it’s heavy-duty power cables supplying electricity across cities, or delicate communication cables like fiber optics enabling high-speed internet and global connectivity, cables play an indispensable role in keeping our world interconnected.

By exploring the types of cables, their uses, benefits, and challenges, we can better understand why they remain crucial in today’s technology-driven world.

What is a Cable?

Cables have a conductor or group of conductors that carry electric power or electrical signal from one place to another.

The world today is the world of technology. We can’t imagine a world without electrical, electronic, and communication systems. But the one thing that plays a vital role in the working of these systems is Cables.

Cables can be defined as a set of conductors that help us to transmit higher electrical power or electronic and communication signals over hundreds and thousands of kilometers. In this way, the cables help the technology and the people to keep interconnected.

There is no clear definition of a cable based on its making. A single conductor, whether insulated or not insulated, can also form the cable. But usually, by cable, we denote a set of stranded conductors that are insulated from each other and are packed inside a set of insulations to protect them from their surrounding environment.

The internal insulation helps them to stay separated from each other and not to cause any fault or interference. At the same time, the external insulation and armoring is done to keep the entire cable strong and protected from the surroundings like air, water, heat, etc. The surrounding depends on where we intend to install these cables.

Broad Types of Cables

Broadly, there are two types of cables – Electrical Cables and Communication Cables.

Electrical Cables (Overview)

Electrical Cables, as the name suggests, are used for transmitting huge amounts of electrical power from the generating station to the consumer facility.

In Power System analysis, we deal with the making of the electrical transmission cables that are suitable for the work. This cable can transmit power over a small distance of several hundred kilometers.

The most critical challenge that remains is that the cable should be able to withstand the bulk amount of power without any significant loss of power within itself.

Merely generating power equal to or greater than the consumer demand will not help until you have an efficient transmission system. The efficiency of the transmission system depends a lot on the quality and making of the cable being used. It can be an AC transmission system, or it can be an HVDC transmission system.

It can be an overhead transmission system facing problems with wind, moisture, snowfall, or heat. On the other hand, it can be an underwater or underground system where maintenance is a big challenge in case of any internal fault.

Communication Cables (Overview)

Communication cables are used to connect electronic devices for communication. These communication devices convert the transmitted signal into electrical signals, which can be transmitted through the cables.

On the other hand, these systems again convert the electrical signals into images, sounds, videos, etc. The big challenge here is the loss or distortion of the information that may happen in between.

Communication signals carry the transmitted data in the form of electrical pulses. Any stray magnetic field from the nearby power cable or any other communication cable can cause a change or loss of signal.

That’s why proper insulation and grading of the communication cables are essential. These range from small USB cables to long-distance optical fiber cables running through the ocean bed.

Types of Cables

Let’s look at different types of cables in detail.

Electric Power Cables

As we discussed earlier, electrical power cables are used for transmitting bulk amounts of power from one point to the other over a long distance. There is the concern of cable strength, conductive efficiency, and environmental stresses based on which an electrical cable is designed.

We know that Copper is the best conductor that is usually used in the field of electrical engineering for machines and systems. So, power cables are made of Copper. However, Copper is costly, as it has a high weight per unit kilometers, forming a more sag in an overhead transmission line.

That’s why, instead of Copper, Aluminium cables are used, which are lighter than Copper and help in overall cost reduction.

But Aluminium has a low tensile strength, which is an essential property for a long-distance transmission cable because it has to face strong winds and rain.

That’s why these aluminum cables are provided with a steel core at the center surrounded by aluminum conductors. This is known as Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR).

Most of the overhead cables operating at high voltages are usually not insulated. The conductors within the transmission cables operating at lower voltages have insulations of asphalt-saturated cotton braid, polyethylene, or any other dielectric material. This insulation ensures the conductors don’t short-circuit and keeps the overall system safe.

Types of Power Cables

Power cables can be further classified based on construction and purpose:

Single-Core Cables:
These contain a single conductor and are typically used in conduits, trunking, or small-scale power and lighting circuits.

Multi-Core Cables:
Comprising multiple insulated conductors bundled together in one jacket, multi-core cables are ideal for distributing power to several applications from a single source.
Armoured Cables:
Armoured cables include an additional layer of mechanical protection, such as steel wire or strips, making them suitable for underground installations or harsh environments requiring high durability.
Rubber Cables:
Flexible and mechanically strong, rubber cables are commonly used in portable applications or industrial environments where cables are frequently moved or exposed to rough handling.

Underground Cable

Underground cables are used where overhead lines can’t be laid down. These cables have aluminum or copper conductors. Mechanical strength is not required to that degree, as in the case of the overhead lines. These lines don’t face the challenge of wind, snow, or rain.

However, the outer insulation of the cable must be strong enough so that the conductors don’t come in contact with the ground directly, which may cause unwarranted disbalance in the local power system.

Types of Underground Cable

Type of Underground Cable	Basis of Classification	Description / Key Feature	Typical Use / Example
Single-Core Cable	Number of Conductors	Contains one conductor, used for high voltage lines to reduce bulk	High-voltage underground transmission
Three-Core Cable	Number of Conductors	Contains three conductors, used for 3-phase power up to 66 kV	Urban and industrial 3-phase supply
Belted Cable	Construction Type	Three conductors insulated and bound with paper belt, flexible but limited to ≤11 kV	Low-voltage urban distribution
Screened Cable (H-Type / SL-Type)	Construction Type	Individually insulated cores with metallic screens; reduces electric stress, improves heat dissipation; voltage limit up to 66 kV	Medium-voltage underground networks
Pressure Cable (Oil / Gas Filled)	Construction Type / Voltage Rating	Used for voltages above 66 kV; oil or pressurized gas circulates to manage electrostatic stress	High-voltage underground transmission lines
Direct Buried / Trough / Tunnel / Gas Insulated	Installation / Laying Method	Direct buried for trenches, troughs or tunnels for accessibility, gas insulated for high power and safety	Various underground applications depending on terrain and voltage
PVC / XLPE / Rubber Insulated	Insulation Material	Different insulation materials provide varying temperature ratings and flexibility	Urban, industrial, and special-purpose underground installations

Communication Cables

Communication cables are different from the electrical power cables. Power cables operate at a higher voltage, AC or HVDC. At the same time, the communication cables carry electrical pulses at a much higher frequency than the power cables, which operate at a relatively low frequency.

For a communication cable, it is important that the data transmitted through it remains intact and unaltered. It should primarily be protected against stray magnetic fields.

The insulation for a communication cable is similar to that of a power cable. Communication cables consist of aluminum or lead-alloy tubes or a combination of metallic strips and thermoplastic materials.

There are various types of communication cables based on their working.

USB Cables or Data Cables

These cables are used for transmitting data between two computers or computer peripherals. USB cable is used for connecting computers with mobile phones. HDMI cables are used for better audio and video quality. Similarly, Ethernet cables are used for network connection in a computer.

Co-axial cables

A coaxial cable is used for transmitting and receiving radio and television signals. It is a two-conductor cable in which one conductor forms a tube while the other is supported with solid insulation at the center.

Fiber-optic Cables

Fiber-optic cables are used for operating high-speed internet connections. These cables first came into operation in the mid-1970s. These cables work on the principle of total internal reflection.

In a fiber-optic cable, the data is transmitted through light pulses. These light signals are transmitted through thin fibers of plastic or glass from LEDs or semiconductor Lasers. These cables have been laid down in the ocean beds to connect two or more countries for transmitting and receiving data faster.

Telephone Cables

As the name suggests, these cables have thousands of conductors used for telephone communication. The diameter of these conductors is about 0.05 inch or 0.125 cm.

Comparison Table of Cable Types

Type of Cable	Material	Use	Key Feature	Example
Electrical	Copper/Aluminium	Power transmission	High current capacity	Overhead lines, underground cables
Communication	Copper/Aluminium/Fiber	Data & signals	High frequency transmission, low loss	Fiber-optic, coaxial, USB
Fiber-optic	Glass/Plastic	High-speed internet	Transmits data as light	Submarine cables
USB/Data	Copper	Computer & device communication	Flexible & short-distance	USB 3.0, HDMI
Telephone	Copper	Voice transmission	Multiple small conductors	PSTN cables

Benefits of Cables

Cables are not just simple conductors—they are vital for the reliable functioning of modern technology. Some key benefits of cables include:

Reliable Transmission of Electricity and Data: Cables ensure consistent delivery of electrical power and accurate data signals across short and long distances.
Supports Multiple Applications: They are essential in industrial machinery, commercial buildings, and residential wiring, making them versatile for various sectors.
Enables Long-Distance Communication: High-quality cables, including fiber-optic and submarine cables, allow global connectivity and uninterrupted communication.

Reduces Energy Loss: Modern insulated cables minimize energy loss, improving efficiency in both power transmission and data transfer.
High Durability: With proper insulation and armoring, cables withstand harsh environmental conditions like heat, moisture, mechanical stress, and external impacts.

Applications of Cables

Cables are used across various sectors to ensure reliable transmission of power and data. Some of the key applications include:

Industrial: Machine wiring, control panels, automation systems, and factory equipment rely on robust electrical and communication cables.
Residential: Home wiring, appliances, lighting systems, and networking setups use electrical, USB, and communication cables for daily operations.
Commercial: Office networks, CCTV systems, elevators, and building automation systems depend on structured cabling solutions.

Telecommunication: Internet connections, telephone lines, data centers, and long-distance communication rely heavily on fiber-optic, coaxial, and telephone cables.
Power Transmission: Overhead lines, underground cables, and HVDC systems use high-capacity electrical cables to deliver power efficiently over long distances.

Challenges

Overall, cables provide long-distance connections between systems with reliability, consistency, and security over a long period. These cables keep the world interconnected. However, there are a few challenges that these cables pose.

The installation and maintenance of the cables could be costly, especially in the case of underground or undersea cables.

With the advancement in technology, we are moving towards wireless technologies. For example, Bluetooth and WiFi connections have replaced USB data cables. Similarly, research is going on in wireless technologies in every field.

Cables are made of non-biodegradable materials like polyethylene on the outer covering. These can be detrimental to the environment if not correctly disposed of.

Cables restrict the usage of portable technology. This is making them obsolete, at least in the lower-range technologies.

Conclusion

Cables are essential components in modern technology, connecting the world through electricity, communication, and data transfer. From electrical power cables to communication cables like fiber-optic, coaxial, USB, and telephone cables, each type is designed for specific purposes and environments.

While cables provide reliability, efficiency, and long-distance connectivity, they also come with challenges such as installation costs, maintenance, and environmental impact. Understanding the types of cables, their uses, benefits, and challenges helps in choosing the right cable for any application, ensuring safe and efficient performance in both industrial and everyday settings.

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