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Twin Wire

Definition

Twin wire is a pair of insulated conductors of 9 AWG or smaller, twisted or bonded together and not identifiable from each other.

Detailed Explanation

Twin wire is a two-conductor wire made of a pair of insulated conductors sized 9 AWG or smaller, twisted or bonded together, in which the two conductors are not distinguished from one another. The smaller conductor size distinguishes twin wire from twin cable, and the lack of identification between the two conductors reflects its use in applications where the conductors need not be told apart. The pair forms a simple two-wire element.

By bonding or twisting two smaller conductors together, twin wire provides a compact two-wire element for circuits that do not require the conductors to be individually identified. This makes for a simple, economical paired wire.

In commercial and industrial systems, twin wire serves two-conductor applications using smaller conductors where identification is not needed. Recognizing the term and its size threshold helps in distinguishing it from twin cable and identified pairs.

Because bonding or twisting two smaller conductors together provides a compact two-wire element for circuits that do not require the conductors to be individually identified, twin wire makes for a simple, economical paired wire in commercial and industrial systems.

Recognizing how twin wire pairs smaller, unidentified conductors helps illustrate the range of two-conductor wire available, since the smaller size and lack of identification suit it to simple paired circuits in commercial and industrial systems.

At Windy City Wire, an understanding of two-conductor constructions, including twin wire, reflects a focus on matching cable to its application. Recognizing how twin wire pairs smaller, unidentified conductors helps illustrate the range of two-conductor wire available.

Applications / Use Cases

  • Two-conductor circuits
  • Smaller paired conductors
  • Twisted or bonded pairs
  • Applications not needing identification
  • Commercial and industrial systems

Related Terms

  • Twin Cable
  • Twisted Pair
  • Parallel Cable
  • Conductor
  • Zip Cord