Galvanized Wire
Galvanized wire is flexible and easy to use, which is why companies across so many industries use it. To understand why it’s so popular, it’s important to understand the basics of galvanized wiring. Only after learning these basics can you truly understand how versatile this product is and why people use it for both commercial and personal use.
Galvanized Wiring: Understanding the Basics
Galvanized wire rope is a versatile stainless steel wire that has undergone the process of galvanization. This process involves protecting the stainless steel with a zinc coating. The goal is to prevent the formation of rust and corrosion. As a result, galvanized steel wire can be used outdoors and will stand up to the elements. In fact, the galvanization process makes it perfect for outdoor fences.
Different Types and Gauges of Galvanized Wiring
There’s a variety of galvanized cable that you can buy. Most of them come in different gauges as well. Brown and Sharpe, which is a division of the Swedish multinational technology company Hexagon AB, pioneered the standardized formula for gauging wire in 1855. This formula follows 39 steps and creates wire from 1 to 40 gauge. However, the gauging process is also known as the American Wire Gauge and is a formula used almost exclusively in North America.
Determining the wire gauge that you need depends heavily on how you use the wire. In general, the gauge determines its overall strength or breaking weight. For example, 12-gauge, low carbon galvanized wire has a breaking weight of around 500 pounds. On the other hand, a 14-gauge, low carbon wire has a breaking weight of around 800 pounds.
Low Carbon vs High Tensile Wire
When you look for galvanized wiring, you’ll come across both low carbon and high tensile options. Low carbon wiring comes from steel that has a low carbon content of about 0.10%. This low carbon content makes the wiring easy to work with. However, it’s prone to stretching or elongation. As a result, it has a lower breaking point than that of tensile.
High tensile wiring has a carbon content of 0.28%. The increase in carbon content makes the wire stronger, which reduces the chances of elongation under extreme tension. Because of that, a high tensile wire is much stiffer and harder to work with.
For example, high tensile fencing tends to last longer than low carbon fencing because it resists elongation. As a result, it’s less likely to sag over the years compared to low carbon wiring. Also, while the wiring itself tends to cost more, it requires fewer fence posts because of its stiff nature. This saves money on your fence construction.
Uses for Galvanized Wire Rope
There are several industrial and personal uses for galvanized stainless steel wiring. A common one is to protect properties with fencing. This type of wiring is strong and easy to work with, so it’s the perfect material to build a perimeter around your home. Fences are a great way to deter not only thieves but also wild animals. In fact, farmers have been using galvanized wire to keep animals in—and wild animals out—of their property lines for years.
Best of all, since this type of wiring is so easy to work with, you can use it to repair existing fences. You can even mold the wire, which makes it a natural choice for repairing holes or breaks in existing fences.
In addition, many industries use steel rope to bind construction equipment during transportation or for storage. Thanks to its durable nature and affordable price tag, it’s often the cheapest solution for binding equipment during transport.
Because of its zinc coating, you can use this wiring to bind or lockdown equipment or products outside. For example, farmers often use galvanized steel to bind hay bales in their fields. It resists all weather, including rain and snow, which makes it perfect for use in fields.
There are many other uses for galvanized wiring too—with the possibilities that are only limited by imagination. Some other examples of commercial and personal uses for stainless steel wiring include:
- Hanging wire for pictures or painting.
- Making jewelry.
- Supporting plants or trees during growth.
- Locking down windows.
- Packaging.
- Animal cages.
Why Buy From Rasmussen
If you’re looking to buy galvanized wiring, you should consider buying from Rasmussen. In fact, it offers a wide variety of galvanized stainless steel wire products. The company has a long history of working with galvanized steel manufacturers and its knowledgeable staff can help you determine which gauge or type of wiring that you need to complete your project.
Rasmussen works with only the best manufacturers of stainless steel wiring on the market. Working with these vendors ensures that it can supply high-quality products. Reach out to a Rasmussen specialist today at (801) 972-5588 for more information.