--- title: How to Choose the Right Wires and Cables description: Wire and cable can be complex, so choosing the right products for your shop’s needs can be difficult. image: https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/hubfs/April%203%20Blog_600x350.jpg --- [![Kimball Midwest Slant Logo](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(40).png?width=131&height=58&name=image%20(40).png "Kimball Midwest Slant Logo")](http://www.kimballmidwest.com/) - [Products](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/) - [About Us](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/About-Us/) - [Blog](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com) - [Find A Rep](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/FindARep/) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimballmidwest.com%2Fwire-cable%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimballmidwest.com%2Fwire-cable%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimballmidwest.com%2Fwire-cable%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimballmidwest.com%2Fwire-cable%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) Need Wire and Cable? [![Get Connected!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2451464/d00e37bf-1b78-4d1e-a0e2-f9c5cab6767f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2451464/d00e37bf-1b78-4d1e-a0e2-f9c5cab6767f) # How to Choose the Right Wires and Cables Posted by [Kimball Midwest](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/author/kimball-midwest) on April 3, 2025 Find us on: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/KimballMW/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kimball-midwest) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/KimballMidwest) Tags: [Products](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/tag/products), [Wires](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/tag/wires) Wire and cable can be complex, so choosing the right products for your shop’s needs can be difficult.   At Kimball Midwest, we’ve broken this [category](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/) down into eight groups. Today, we’re looking at the common applications for each of them.   The first four categories below are all related to primary wire, which is for use on low-voltage electrical systems up to 60 volts DC. It’s commonly used for circuits on automotive, equipment and machinery applications. [**Cross-Link Primary Wire**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Cross-Link-Primary-Wire)   Cross-link primary wire is known for its high temperature resistance, making it suitable for automotive, industrial and other high-performance applications. It comes in three options, SXL (most durable), TXL (most flexible) and GXL (a balance between durability and flexibility). The TXL wire also is thinnest, making it ideal for applications with restricted space or where a lighter weight is desired.   [**PVC Primary Wire**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/PVC-Primary-Wire)   PVC primary wire is commonly used in automotive and general-purpose wiring. It’s known for its flexibility, but is less resistant to heat and abrasion, so it’s most used in protected spaces like under dashboards or in protected bundles. [**Parallel Primary Wire**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Parallel-Primary-Wire)   Often used in trailer wiring, parallel primary wire features two or more conductors running parallel to each other. Bonding multiple wires together provides an easy way to run multiple circuits quickly. [**Plastic Jacketed Primary Wire**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Plastic-Jacketed-Primary-Wire)   Plastic jacketed primary wire provides the same benefits of parallel primary wire with the added protection of a heavy-duty gray PVC plastic jacket. This makes it ideal for trucks, buses, tractors, marine and general use.   [**Battery Cable**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Battery-Cable)   Battery cable is used for connecting batteries to electrical systems, providing a reliable power transfer, connecting batteries to electrical systems and starters on equipment, vehicles and other heavy machinery. [**Trailer Cable**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Trailer-Cable)   Trailer cable is designed specifically for trailer wiring, providing a durable and reliable connection. Thermoplastic insulation offers superior weather resistance, ensuring extended service life. The conductors inside the jacket are sized and color-coded for standard trailer circuit applications. [**Welding Cable**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Welding-Cable)   Welding cable is used for welding applications. It’s known for its flexibility and superior resistance to abrasion and oil. It’s also suitable for battery/starter cable and extra flexible jumper cables.   [**Specialty Wire and Cable**](https://www.kimballmidwest.com/All-Products/Electrical/Wire-Cable/Specialty-Wire-Cable)   This category includes various specialized wires such as speaker wire, test lead wire and multi-conductor boat cable.   Whether you’re looking at battery, cross-link, PVC or something more specialized, Kimball Midwest has the solution. Ask your Kimball Midwest sales representative for guidance today. If you don’t already have one, we’d love to help you [![Find a Rep!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2451464/a258aba6-7162-4d33-b746-348cfb9de6aa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2451464/a258aba6-7162-4d33-b746-348cfb9de6aa) [<< Previous Post](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/4-ways-to-save-time-on-your-next-online-order-using-kimballmidwest.com) [Next Post >>](https://blog.kimballmidwest.com/keep-electrical-connections-dry) Have a Question For Us? 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