Cord or Cable?

[mn_voyageur]

Not being an engineer ...

A recent grad (with accredited degree in hand), asked me a simple question.

What is the difference between a cord and a cable. (Table 400.4)

I turned to section 100 ... No definition.

The best answer I heard was: A cable is permenant and a cord is not.

Any suggestions?

MarkN

 

[cowboyjwc]

I'll take a shot. I would say that mostly it's the outer covering. Cord also has stranded wire for flexibility where as cable has solid wire in it.

 

[jumper]

I'll take a shot. I would say that mostly it's the outer covering. Cord also has stranded wire for flexibility where as cable has solid wire in it.

I admit I am stumped on this one, but you can get MC with stranded conductors.

 

[zbang]

With no authority at all, I've see the definitions that 'wire' is a single conductor and 'cable' is multiple conductors in one assembly or jacket. 'Cord' is a cable that's designed to be remain flexible. I'll also fall back on the m-w.com definition: "a long slender flexible material usually consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together "

 

[cowboyjwc]

[/b]
I admit I am stumped on this one, but you can get MC with stranded conductors.

But it's not flexible. Not like cord would be.

 

[dicklaxt]

How about a cord is a flexible cable assembly dedicated for use with a fitting(plug or receptacle or both) on the ends while a cable is normally more stiff and is terminated on terminals of sorts with or without lugs.:-?:-?

dick