Eli5: Why is it that there are multiple copper wires inside an electric cable and why are they coiled?
In: 68
Electricity is a flow is electrons. That flow needs a wire going to the device and a wire returning from the device. So at least two. Often there is a third wire used to ground parts of the device a person might touch. This is for safety. The electrons are pushed by a voltage. That voltage can be dangerous and cause shocks. Grounding keeps the voltage close to zero on parts you might touch so you don’t get shocked. If any of these wires break it can cause problems. Coiling the wires inside the cable helps the cable bend without pulling too much on any of the wires. This helps keep the wires from breaking inside the cable and causing problems.
Latest Answers