VIABRICO 14AWG 100FT Electrical Wire Cable 2 Conductors Red Black Cable Hookup LED Lighting Strips Flexible Wire Extension Cord 14 Gauge Copper Clad Aluminum Copper Wire 12V/24V DC Cable

What it is and where it shines

VIABRICO’s 14‑gauge red/black two‑conductor cable is a straightforward, budget‑friendly spool of low‑voltage “zip wire” aimed at 12V and 24V projects. I put the 100‑foot roll to work on a handful of jobs: powering single‑color LED strips in a workshop, extending a 24V bench supply to some test fixtures, and running a short feed to a trailer accessory. For this kind of light‑duty DC work, the cable performs exactly as you’d hope—easy to handle, clearly marked for polarity, and robust enough to survive the usual routing, pulling, and occasional mis‑cut without fraying.

A few things up front that matter for expectations:
- It’s 14 AWG with copper‑clad aluminum (CCA) conductors, not solid copper. That keeps weight and cost down, at the expense of higher resistance.
- The jacket is flexible PVC, color coded, and printed with length markings.
- The operating temperature rating is -20°C to 70°C, which suits interiors, enclosures, and general low‑voltage utility work—not high‑heat engine bays or in‑wall building wiring.

If that aligns with your use case, you’ll get a lot of mileage out of this spool.

Build and jacket quality

Physically, the cable lands in a sweet spot between sturdy and compliant. The PVC jacket is on the thicker side for a value spool—noticeably tougher than the flimsy, translucent jackets I often see on bargain wire. It resists nicks when pulled past sheet‑metal edges and doesn’t smear or cold‑crack when bent around tight radii. The red/black polarity split is obvious, and the printing is legible enough to measure and cut consistent runs without breaking out a tape.

The zip design separates cleanly by hand for the last few inches of a run, and the conductors rejoin without trying to zipper apart further than you intended. That sounds trivial, but on some cheaper cables the split can propagate and create weak sections; I didn’t run into that here.

The spool itself is a rigid plastic reel with a sensible core diameter. It pays out smoothly, doesn’t bird‑nest easily, and doesn’t deform under normal shop storage. I hung it on a peg and pulled repeatedly; payout stayed even.

Stripping, terminating, and handling

The stranding count is fine enough to keep bends smooth but not so fine that strands splay during stripping. With a calibrated stripper on the 14 AWG notch, insulation pops cleanly without biting into the conductor. Crimp terminals sized for 14 AWG bit down reliably; I tested heat‑shrink butt splices, ring terminals, and quick disconnects with no slippage after a proper ratcheting crimp.

Soldering CCA can be hit‑or‑miss on the cheapest offerings, but with standard 60/40 and a dab of rosin flux, the tinning and wicking were straightforward. It doesn’t wet quite as instantly as oxygen‑free copper, but it’s predictable and secure once you get the joint to temperature. The jacket doesn’t recede excessively from moderate iron heat, which helps keep joints tidy.

Electrical performance and the CCA factor

The main tradeoff with CCA is resistance. CCA typically runs roughly 1.5–1.7 times the resistance of equivalent copper. That matters on low‑voltage runs where voltage drop shows up quickly. If your plan is short leads at a few amps, this cable is perfectly appropriate. If you’re thinking long home‑run feeders at higher current, plan around the drop or pick copper instead.

Some practical guidance from my use:
- Short LED runs (one‑way 10–15 ft, 12V at 1–3A): No visible dimming; measured drop under about half a volt, which is fine for general lighting.
- Medium runs to a 24V fixture (one‑way ~20 ft, 2–4A): Still serviceable; keep connections tight and consider feeding from both ends if the load is sensitive.
- Long runs or higher current (think 12V at 8–10A over 30+ ft one way): This is where CCA starts to hurt. Expect a few volts of drop and consider stepping up to copper or a heavier gauge.

If you like numbers, here’s an example to frame expectations. Assume roughly 4.1 ohms per 1000 feet for 14 AWG CCA. A 20‑foot one‑way run is 40 feet round trip, or about 0.164 ohms. At 5 amps, voltage drop is I × R, so about 0.82V—roughly 7% on a 12V system. For many LED or accessory loads that’s acceptable; beyond that, you’ll want shorter runs, lower current, or a different cable.

Bottom line: this cable is best used where currents are modest and runs aren’t excessive. That’s a big slice of low‑voltage DC work.

Suitability for different applications

• LED strips and accent lighting: Ideal. Polarity is obvious, jacket is flexible for clean corners, and the thickness protects against abrasion during installs in cabinets or shop spaces.
• Automotive/interior accessories: Good for under‑dash, trunk, or trailer interior runs where temperatures stay moderate. I’d avoid engine compartments or anywhere adjacent to exhaust or turbo heat; the 70°C rating and PVC jacket aren’t made for that.
• DIY electronics and bench work: Very good. Easy to route, easy to label, and happy with common connectors.
• CB radios, small 12V appliances: Works fine if you keep the run short and ensure good crimps to avoid voltage sag on transmit peaks.
• Speaker wire: It will work, but copper is preferable for longer audiophile runs. If you use this, keep runs short for 4‑ohm loads and moderate lengths for 8‑ohm.

Notably, this is not a building‑wire product. It’s not advertised for in‑wall, plenum, or burial applications, and there’s no UL building‑wire listing indicated. Use THHN/NM‑B or appropriately rated cable where code applies.

Durability in use

Over weeks of bending, pulling through cabinet holes, and a few clamp mishaps, the jacket hasn’t split, glazed, or taken a compression set that caused the conductors to print through. The red/black colors haven’t smudged, and the printing remains readable. I did a handful of tug tests on crimped joints; the conductor strands didn’t pull or neck down prematurely. For a value‑priced CCA zip wire, the durability is better than expected.

One note: If you’re routing through sharp metal, use grommets or loom. The jacket is tough, but it’s still PVC; it’s not a substitute for conduit or abrasion sleeves in hostile paths.

What I’d change

• Offer an oxygen‑free copper version in the same jacket for users who need longer runs or tighter voltage‑drop budgets. I’d gladly pay more and keep the rest of this package identical.
• Publish resistance per 1000 feet or a voltage‑drop chart on the product page. It makes planning easier and sets the right expectations.
• A UV‑rated option would help for outdoor installs; as is, I’d cover this with conduit or split loom if exposed to sun for long periods.

Value

For general low‑voltage tasks, this spool is priced right. You get 100 feet, a usable dispenser, and a jacket that doesn’t feel flimsy. Copper would cost more; if your use fits the CCA envelope, this is a cost‑effective way to keep a go‑to wire on the shelf without thinking twice when you need another 3 or 10 feet.

Tips for best results

• Plan runs to minimize drop: shorter paths, or feed both ends of LED strips.
• Size current conservatively. For 12V systems, I treat this 14 AWG CCA like copper 16 AWG for planning, then check voltage at the load after install.
• Use quality crimp terminals and a ratcheting crimper; CCA benefits from a firm, consistent compression.
• If you must solder, add flux and allow a beat more dwell than you would with copper; support the joint so it cools without movement.
• Protect against edges with grommets and give the cable a bit of strain relief at terminations.

Verdict

The Viabrico 14‑gauge red/black cable is a solid, no‑nonsense spool for everyday low‑voltage wiring. The jacket is tougher and cleaner to work with than many budget options, the spool manages well on a peg or bench, and the conductors strip and terminate consistently. The CCA construction is the only real caveat, and it’s not a flaw so much as a design choice—great for cost and weight, less great for long, high‑current runs.

Recommendation: I recommend this cable for short‑to‑moderate low‑voltage DC runs—LED lighting, interior automotive accessories, bench power, and general 12V/24V hookups—where you want flexibility, clear polarity, and predictable handling without paying copper prices. If your application is sensitive to voltage drop, runs are long, or you need code‑compliant in‑wall or high‑temperature performance, skip this and buy a copper, properly rated alternative. For the broad set of hobbyist, shop, and light‑duty wiring tasks, though, this spool earns a spot on the shelf.