Wiring Harnesses

Most electronics and electrical equipment use wires to transmit signals from one point to another in order to work. Organizing the wires within or around a device is relatively simple when there are only one or two wires to deal with. However, when there are multiple wires needed to make a piece of equipment work, that is when a wiring harness is needed for maximum organization.

What is a wiring harness?

A wiring harness (or sometimes called cable harness, wiring assembly or wiring loom) is an assembly of wires or cables that are bound together by a durable material such as rubber, vinyl or electrical tape. These low-cost tools are designed to streamline and organize multi-wire systems while protecting the wires from the elements, resulting in cleaner, safer equipment, and working environments. By binding the many wires and cables into a cable harness, the wires and cables can also be better secured against the adverse effects of vibrations and abrasions.

Types of wiring harness

Wiring harnesses can be made of a variety of materials, including PVC, vinyl, polyurethane and more. Which material is used for a specific harness depends on the situation. If the wires are running in a particularly damp environment, for example, the harness used should be made of a material that resists moisture effectively such as polyethylene.

Where are wiring harnesses used?

Because of their versatility, wire harnesses have a variety of applications, and are suited for practically any industry. You will typically find wiring harnesses used in Aerospace, automobiles, medicine, telecommunications, and commercial construction industries, as well as in home electronics, audio and visual equipment, and household appliances.

Differences between wire harnesses & cable assemblies

The terms Cable Assemblies and Wiring Harnesses are sometimes used interchangeably, mainly because they serve the same electrical function. However, there are significant differences between the two products.

Both wire and cable are designed to carry electricity from the source to a destination. Wire consists of a metallic strand that is often sheathed, whereas a cable consists of multiple wires that run together within a single sheath. A wire harness is a wrapper or sheath that bundles wires or cables together. A cable assembly is similar to a wire harness, but features a more durable sheathing. Cable assemblies are used instead of wiring harnesses when exposure to environmental factors is a concern. So, at the most basic level, each is used in different environments. Wire harnesses offer a low-cost solution for keeping wires organized, while cable assemblies keep all of the products safe in the most extreme circumstances.