A report by market research company Global Market Insights suggests that the top applications of wire and cable include utilities and power infrastructure, building infrastructure, consumer electronics, automotive (in-vehicle wiring), material handling and logistics, food and beverage processing, railways, entertainment and leisure, and other applications.

When we're talking about applications by market share, they’re not referring to industries like “oil & gas” or “automotive.” Instead, they mean what exact job the cable is doing, such as powering a building and carrying a data signal.

In this article, we overview of the top cable applications by market share, focusing on what each demands from cables and which types of cables serve that application.

1. Utilities & Power Infrastructure (~28–30%)

Utilities remain the largest application segment in the global wire & cable market. Wires and cables used for utility infrastructure accounted for over ~27% of market share in 2024 and are expected to maintain strong demand through the next decade. Cables used in utility applications are expected to deliver long-lasting, high-capacity power transmission or distribution under harsh environmental conditions.

Exact Applications:

• Transmission lines

• Substations and transformers:

• Underground feeders

• Grid expansion and upgrades

• Renewable energy connections in solar farms and wind turbines

• Smart grid connectivity

Clients: Utilities, EPCs, municipal contractors

Cables:

• ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced):

• URD Cable (Underground Residential Distribution):

• MV Power Cable (MV-90 / MV-105):

• XLPE Feeder Cable

• PV Wire

• USE-2 Cable

2. Building Infrastructure (~22–24%)

Building infrastructure is the second-largest application segment in the global wire & cable market, covering all power and control wiring inside residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This includes everything from branch circuits and service entrances to smart building systems. The

cables that are used in building infrastructure are the ones that individual consumers deal with the most. They deliver power to the walls and ceilings of buildings.

Exact Applications:

• Electrical panels and branch circuits

• Lighting and outlet wiring

• Service entrances

• HVAC and thermostat control

• Building automation and energy management

• Fire alarm and life safety systems

• Low-voltage power and signal for IoT devices

Clients: Electrical contractors, MEP firms, facility managers, builders, HVAC technicians

Cables:

• NM-B (Non-Metallic Building Cable)

• THHN/THWN-2

• MC Cable (Metal Clad)

• SER/SEU Cable

• Fire Alarm Cable (FPL/FPLR/FPLP)

• XHHW-2

• UF-B

3. Consumer Electronics (~10–12%)

Consumer electronics is a major application segment centred on compact, high-density cables used in and around everyday devices such as phones, laptops, TVs, and gaming consoles. These cables are designed for signal transmission and low-voltage power within confined spaces and are mass-produced for integration into high-volume manufactured products. Cables used in this segment are expected to deliver clean signal transmission and support high data rates.

Exact Applications:

• Smartphones and tablets

• Laptops, monitors, and TVs

• Audio and video systems

• Gaming consoles and controllers

• Smart home hubs and wearable devices

• Charging accessories and docking stations

Clients: OEMs, electronics manufacturers, cable assembly factories

Cables:

• USB-C / USB-A Cables

• HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

• LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling) Cable

• Micro Coaxial Cable

• FFC/FPC (Flat Flexible / Printed Circuit Cable)

4. Automotive (In-Vehicle Wiring) (~8–10%)

Automotive wiring is a fast-growing application segment driven by the global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs). This category covers all internal cabling in vehicles, including power delivery and battery systems, sensors, and charging. These are lightweight, shielded cables that operate in constrained spaces.

Exact Applications:

• Vehicle wiring harnesses

• Battery cable assemblies

• Engine and motor wiring

• EV battery and inverter systems

• Onboard sensor networks (ADAS, BMS, etc.)

• Dashboard and lighting controls

Clients: Automotive OEMs, EV startups, tier-1 harness manufacturers, aftermarket installers

Cables:

• GXL (Cross-Linked Polyethylene Automotive Wire)

• TXL (Thin-Wall Cross-Linked Polyethylene Wire)

• SGX (Starter and Ground Cable)

• CAN Bus Cable

• EV High-Voltage Cable

• Battery Cable

• Jumper Cable

5. Material Handling & Logistics (~7–9%)

Material handling and logistics applications cover the wiring that powers automation systems used to move, sort, and package goods in warehouses, fulfilment centres, and ports. The expansion of technologies such as robotic arms and sensors currently drives these applications. Cables used in these applications are flexible, high-performance, and resistant to mechanical stress. They operate in demanding, constantly moving industrial environments.

Exact Applications:

• Conveyor systems and belt motors

• Robotic arms and pick-and-place units

• Barcode scanners and package sensors

• AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs

• Palletising and sorting equipment

• Warehouse control systems and machine interconnects

Clients: Logistics firms, fulfilment centres, industrial automation integrators, OEMs

Cables:

• TC-ER Tray Cable (Exposed Run)

• PLTC / ITC Cable

• SOOW Cable (Service Oil-Resistant Weather-Resistant)

• Drag Chain Cable (Continuous-Flex Cable)

• VFD Cable

6. Food & Beverage Processing (~5–7%)

Food and beverage processing is a specialised application segment in which cables must perform reliably in wet, chemically aggressive environments. Cables in these facilities are subject to extreme temperatures and constant exposure to cleaning agents.

Exact Applications:

• Food slicing and processing machines

• Bottling and beverage filling lines

• Industrial ovens and refrigeration units

• Washdown zones and wet packaging systems

• Sensors, control panels, and PLCs in cleanroom areas

Clients: Food manufacturers, beverage plants, breweries, commercial kitchens, automation integrators

Cables:

• Tray Cable (TC-ER)

• Shielded Control Cable

• High-Temperature Cable

• Washdown-Rated Cable

• Thermocouple Cable

7. Railways (~4–6%)

Railway applications include both onboard train wiring and trackside infrastructure.

Whether it’s electrifying rail lines or wiring the train itself, this application is all about signal integrity, durability, and fire safety.

Railways need flame-retardant, low-smoke, halogen-free cabling for both onboard systems and ground infrastructure. From metro systems to electric freight lines, cables in this segment must operate in motion-heavy, high-vibration environments while meeting strict fire-resistance standards. Cables used in railway applications are expected to be flame-retardant, low-smoke, and halogen-free.

Exact Applications:

• Metro and light rail systems

• Electric freight and regional trains

• Onboard control and communication systems

• Trackside signalling and power

• Emergency lighting and safety networks

Clients: Transit authorities, railway OEMs, infrastructure contractors, public transport integrators

Cables:

• LSZH Multiconductor Control Cable

• Traction Power Cable

• Rail Signal Cable

• Fire Alarm and Safety System Cable

• Data/Communication Cable

8. Entertainment & Leisure (~3–5%)

Entertainment and leisure applications cover the cabling behind audio, video, lighting, and control systems in environments from stadiums and cruise ships to theatres, hotels, and live event venues. These systems demand cables that are easy to install, highly flexible, and capable of delivering clean signals and consistent power in dynamic and often temporary installations. Cables in this category are expected to support fast deployment and flawless AV performance in mission-critical production environments.

Exact Applications:

• Stage and event lighting rigs

• Audio speaker systems and mixing boards

• LED wall panels and projection equipment

• Hotel and cruise ship AV networks

• Control booths and rigging automation

Clients: Event production companies, stadiums, cruise lines, entertainment venues, AV contractors

Cables:

• SOOW Cable

• DMX Cable

• Audio Signal Cable

• Hybrid Power + Signal Cable

• Low-Voltage Control Cable

9. Other (~2–4%)

This category captures speciality and niche cable applications outside the major market segments, including marine vessels, underground mining, battery storage systems, and industrial environments. Though they have a lower total market share, these applications rely on some of the most rugged, high-performance cables available.

Exact Applications:

• Ships and offshore rigs

• Underground mining equipment

• Battery storage and backup systems

• Temporary power at industrial sites

• Oilfield and petrochemical cable runs

• Marine docks, pumps, and lighting

Clients: Marine engineers, mining operations, BESS developers, industrial contractors, oil & gas teams

Cables:

• SHD-GC (Shielded Heavy-Duty Grounded Cable)

• DLO (Diesel Locomotive Cable)

• MC-HL (Metal Clad Hazardous Location Cable)

• UL 1426 Marine Cable

• Type W Cable

Nassau National Cable directly supports 7 out of the 9 major cable application segments, covering approximately 85–90% of the total global wire & cable market by application share.

We focus on:

• Utility-scale infrastructure

• Commercial/residential building

• Industrial automation

• Battery and mining systems

• Event and AV power delivery

We do not specialize in internal consumer electronics cables (like USB or HDMI), and railway-specific cables (like flame-rated LSZH train harnesses) are a partial overlap depending on project specs.