Cables and wires are both used to transport electrical current, but they differ in the number of conductors they contain:
Wire
A single electrical conductor made of a material like aluminum or copper. Wires can be made of a single strand or multiple strands, and they can be bare or have a color-coded sheath.
Cable
A group of multiple conductors, or wires, that are encased in a non-conducting sheath. The conductors can be individually insulated and then twisted together.
Cables and wires are used to transmit electrical power and telecommunication signals. For example, electric communication cables transmit data, voice messages, and visual images to computers, telephones, and televisions.
Cables and wires are made from a variety of materials, including:
Metals
Platinum, silver, iron, copper, aluminum, and gold are the main metals used to make wires.
Insulating materials
Ethylene-propylene rubber, PVC, natural and synthetic rubber, chloroprene, silicone rubber, fiberglass, textile fabric, and polyurethane are all used to insulate cables and wires.
