Traadid

Traadid is an Estonian plural noun meaning wires or conductors. It refers to metal conductors used to carry electric current or signals, and can denote both bare wires and insulated conductors found in electrical installations, appliances, and cables. The singular form is traad, and the related verb traadima means to wire or to string with wires.

Etymology and usage: Traadid comes from the Estonian form of the German word Draht, meaning wire. It is distinct from terms used for textiles, such as niit (thread) or lõng (yarn), which refer to fabric fibers rather than electrical conductors.

In practice: Traadid vary by material, insulation, and configuration. Common conductor materials include copper and aluminum. They may be solid or stranded, and many are insulated with plastics such as PVC or polyethylene. In building wiring, cables typically contain multiple traadid of different colours, with standard EU color coding in new installations such as brown for live, blue for neutral, and green-yellow for earth.

Applications: Traadid form the internal connections within electrical equipment, power cords, and wiring systems. They are used to connect power sources to devices and to link components inside machines. Their design and installation are governed by electrical safety standards that specify rated voltage, current-carrying capacity, insulation, and protection against damage.