Zip cord
Zip-cord is sometimes used to describe a type of electrical or optical cable in which two or more conductors are held together by a single insulating jacket that can be easily separated by pulling them apart like a zip. The term is most common in the US but also used in the UK, in Australia the same cord might be called a figure-8 cable. The separable design keeps related conductors together, reducing< tangling for simple handling, with the option to separate them.
Some times each side of the cord will be coloured so as to keep track of which is which over a long length, these are mostly used in sound speakers but also as lamp or lighting cables cords, but only in temporary installations or mobile applications such as concerts, exhibitions etc not as a permanent installation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Arcing.
- Articles about electricity.
- Earthing.
- ECA articles.
- Electric.
- Electrical appliance.
- Electrical conduit.
- Electrical consumption.
- Electrical energy.
- Electrical equipment.
- Electrical installation.
- Electrical power.
- Electrical safety.
- Electrical wiring.
- Electrician.
- Electricity bill.
- Electrotechnical Assessment Specification guidance for installers.
- Grommet.
- IET announces release of 18th Edition Amendment 2.
- Panelboard.
- Premises wiring system.
- Ring circuit.
- Safe isolation for low voltage.
- What to know about foundation earthing.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.























