Wire harnesses help to provide a common connection point in electrical systems, which can make internal arrangements safer and more efficient. They are also often known as cable assemblies and have a wide-ranging use across many different industries. Anywhere that there is a need for multiple cables, wire harnesses can potentially create an opportunity to simplify wiring systems, as well as the process of assembly.
Where do you find wire harnesses?
The short answer is anywhere that requires an integrated arrangement of cables. Cables within electrical machines that are used to transmit electrical power often come in bundles. Each one usually has a different purpose within the arrangement and running each of these cables individually can not only be very messy but also dangerous. Using wire harnesses provides an opportunity to organised internally, via a synthetic integrated arrangement of cables within an insulated material. Wire harnesses can use many different tools to bind cables together, including electrical tape, cable lacing or cable ties. From construction machinery to aircraft, cars and spacecraft, wire harnesses are vital across multiple industries.
What are the benefits of wire harnesses?
The most obvious reason to use a wire harness is to avoid a situation where you have an internal mess of cables that is disorganised and hard to deal with. In some electrical systems there may be many miles of cables to deal with and these can become tangled and damaged if they are not organised in some way. So, the first major benefit of wire harnesses is that they provide a method to arrange what could otherwise be a complex mess. Other advantages include:
- A more streamlined approach. Using wire harnesses provides the opportunity to create more space internally by reducing the clutter that can exist as a result of jumbled wiring. This means there is not only more space inside electrical equipment, but it is much easier to work with internally when it comes to repairs too.
- It’s much easier to handle a single wire unit. You can avoid the need for multiple connections by using wire harnesses and instead work with a single bunch of clamped wires that will connect to one connection. This approach helps to minimise the potential for mistakes and errors and means that it’s not necessary to try and remember which wire goes into which connection for multiple cables.
- Safety can be much more of a priority. The insulation that is involved in wire harnesses helps to reduce the risk of an electrical fire or short-circuit. Plus, cables are held in place, so they are unlikely to cause damage by being dislodged or to become damaged themselves as a result of damp or abrasion.
- Improving use of resources. One wire harness is much faster to install than multiple cables so your resources can be better deployed, and no time is wasted.
Wire harnesses are vital to electrical equipment today. From safety to efficiency, they bring many benefits to every industry where they are used.
