It’s FALL y’all! After a very long, very hot summer, the excitement of Halloween and Pumpkin Spice is looming in the air. Speaking of looming, ever wondered why wiring harnesses are occasionally termed “looms”? Dive in with me!
When the president of InterConnect Wiring, John Ashour, gave me this topic, I drew a blank. Since our journey began with InterConnect in 1993, the term “loom” for a harness never really popped up in our conversations. So, writing this piece was not just an enlightening endeavor for our readers but a deep dive for me as well.
In the last 30 years, InterConnect has primarily been known as the creator of F-35 wiring harnesses, B-1B cable assemblies, F-16 fiber optic cables, V-22 harnesses, UH-60 circuit breaker panels, and F-15 power panels. The label of “wiring loom maker”? That’s a new one for me. Yet, as I’ve discovered, it fits!
Diving into my research, I unearthed that the term “loom” was commonly used in the aerospace and automotive industries over half a century ago. A wiring loom, which you might recognize as a harness, wire harness, cable assembly, wiring assembly, or wiring harness, is an assembly of wires that transmit signals or electrical currents. These wire looms are meticulously held together through methods like braiding, straps, cable ties, cable lacing, sleeves, electrical tape, conduit, an extruded string weave, or a combination thereof. Therefore, the words “wiring harness” and “wiring loom” are interchangeable. “Loom” essentially means a device for turning thread or yarn into fabric by intertwining strands.
It’s all crystal clear now! At InterConnect Wiring, our skilled team interlaces hundreds of wires to form one large beautiful, electrical tapestry. Hence, a wire loom is a well-crafted work of art that InterConnect creates from multiple wires, contacts, and connectors weaved together and bound by braid or lacing tape.
Check out a photo of one of our wiring looms. Speaking of which, I’m introducing a new section on our website dedicated to showcase InterConnect’s expertise in manufacturing wiring looms. Who would’ve thought?
