While the terms “wire harness” and “cable assembly” are frequently used interchangeably, the two types of assemblies differ in several ways.
To begin with, a wire and a cable are two different things. A wire is a single strand of an electrical conductor, such as copper, aluminum or some type of steel. A cable bundles several wires, including two or more insulated wires, into one jacket. Despite its name, a wire harness assembly can also incorporate cables.

Protection vs. organization is a key difference between wire harness assemblies and a cable assembly. In a wire harness, individual wires or cables are gathered together with a cover, usually in the same material utilized in a cable assembly; however, it is possible to see and remove an individual cable or wire from a wire harness. The purpose is to organize them efficiently. In comparison, a cable assembly has multiple wires that are securely bundled together by a single, highly protective, external sleeve. It looks like one thick wire.

Wire harnesses provide minimal protection for wires, but they are often sufficient for indoor use, especially in a residential, office or other commercial environment. However, a wire harness cannot shield the wires and cables from extreme temperatures or friction with one another. Cable assemblies guard against the most extreme conditions and are ideal for outdoor use. They have a high-level resistance to outside variables such as heat, dust and moisture, and they protect the wire and cables from friction and corrosion.

Many of our everyday household products and tools use wire harnesses. Things like computers, televisions, monitors, microwaves and refrigerators use wire harnesses rather than cable assemblies because these products come with a protective shell, which removes the need for added protection. Wire harnesses are also present in most automobiles and airplanes.