The terms Cable Assemblies and Wiring Harnesses are sometimes used interchangeably, mainly because they serve the same electrical function. However, there are significant differences between the two. Before getting into more details, here are a few examples.

Examples

Cable Assemblies

  • Ethernet cables
  • Antenna cables
  • Ribbon cables (with connectors)
  • Power cords
  • Various A/V cables, such as HDMI, DVI, RGB, headphone cable, etc.

Wiring Harness

  • Automotive wiring harnesses – behind the dash, under the hood, connecting the lights, etc.
  • Refrigerator harnesses
  • Aircraft harnesses
  • Power supply harnesses that just use wires to connect things but are tied together