Electrical Wires, Building Wires & Cables

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Reliable Electrical Building Wire Cable

Select the right building wire for new construction, renovations, and maintenance projects. Our range covers typical domestic and light commercial applications, allowing you to complete building electrical wiring safely, neatly, and in accordance with Australian standards. Whether you’re planning to wire building circuits end‑to‑end or topping up for a quick fix, you’ll find clearly labelled sizes, colours, and reel lengths to suit.

Typical Uses of Building Wire

Building wire is a single-core, PVC-insulated copper cable used to carry mains voltage in fixed electrical circuits. You pull it through conduits or ducting (as well as run it through wall cavities), making it ideal for applications where flexibility, neat routing, and easy identification are crucial.

Common applications include:

Switchboards and meter panels: Individual conductors can be neatly routed and labelled for each circuit.
Lighting circuits: 1.5 mm² building wire is best suited to domestic and commercial lighting runs.
Power circuits: 2.5 mm² wire is standard for general power outlets, with larger sizes used for heavy loads, such as ovens, hot water systems, and sub-mains.
Upgrades and additions: Installing or replacing a single conductor is easier than running a full multi-core cable.
Conduit installations: Building wire is ideal when mechanical protection or aesthetic routing is necessary inside walls, ceilings, or floors.

Why Run Separate Wires Instead of a Single TPS or Orange Circular Cable?

While building wire takes more effort to install than pre-assembled cables like TPS or orange circular, its advantages make that effort worthwhile.

Running individual conductors through conduit provides:

Greater layout flexibility
Easier identification
Simpler upgrades

That’s why building wire is the preferred choice for switchboards, meter panels, and conduit-based installations.

Choose the Right Building Wire

Selecting the right building wire comes down to just two key factors: size and colour.

Size (cross-sectional area): Choose the conductor size based on the circuit’s load. Standard sizes include 1.5 mm² for lighting, 2.5 mm² for power outlets, and larger sizes for heavy-duty appliances or sub-mains.
Colour: Standard colours include red (active), black (neutral), and green/yellow (earth). Other colours are available to help identify multiple circuits or phases.

Compliance & Best Practice

A licensed electrician must install all fixed electrical wiring of a building, as well as test it before energising it. Choose building wire that meets relevant Australian standards and follows the wiring rules for routing, protection, and terminations. Keep bends gentle, avoid overstripping insulation, and use appropriate glands, saddles, and conduits to protect the sheathing.

Why Buy Building Wire from MJS Electrical Supplies?

Precise specs and filters — find size, cores, colour, and reel length fast.
Reliable brands — consistent quality for easy pulling, stripping, and termination.
Trade‑friendly pricing — competitive everyday pricing tailored for price‑driven projects.
Fast dispatch — efficient delivery across Australia to keep jobs moving.

Get the building wire you need at MJS Electrical Supplies. We offer the best brands with the specs you need, all at highly competitive prices.

FAQs: Building Electrical Wiring

Do I need a licensed electrician to install the electrical wiring of a building?

Yes. In Australia, a licensed electrician must carry out all fixed wiring jobs (and check the wiring is certified before proceeding). DIY is not suitable (or permitted) for fixed circuits.

What is the standard wire size for lighting and power?

Lighting circuits often use 1.5 mm², while general power circuits commonly use 2.5 mm². Always size conductors to suit load, run length, installation method, and local regulations.

What does ‘twin and earth (TPS)’ mean?

TPS stands for Thermoplastic-Sheathed; It’s a flat cable with two insulated building wire conductors (active and neutral), plus an insulated earth. It’s most common in domestic lighting and power circuits.

Can I use building wire for outdoor or underground applications?

Yes, but only if the cable type and protection suit the environment. Use UV‑resistant sheathing for sun exposure, conduit where required, and rated underground solutions for direct-burial or in‑ground conduit.

What colour cores should I expect?

For modern installations, active is red, neutral is black, and earth is green/yellow. Always check markings on the sheath and verify during testing, especially on extensions or older wiring.

PVC vs XLPE — what’s the difference?

Easy to strip and terminate, PVC is the everyday choice for indoor circuits; meanwhile, XLPE has higher temperature ratings and is often preferred in demanding environments (or where extra safety margins are required).

How do I estimate the amount of building wire I need?

Measure run lengths on the plan, add allowances for routing (e.g. drops or detours around framing) and terminations, then apply derating/voltage‑drop considerations. Ordering an extra margin reduces join risks.

Is building wire the same as data cable?

No. Building wire carries mains voltage for fixed electrical circuits, while data cable handles low‑voltage signals for networking and communications.

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