As the important power transmission equipment in power system

wires and cables are closely related to production and living for their high production and wide range of laying. However

due to the complex working environment

different operating conditions and the flammable insulation material

wire and cable fire accidents occasionally occur.Wires and cables differ in structure

size

material

use

voltage level

load level

etc.

but they have similarities in disaster-causing process

which can be divided into three stages: ignition

combustion and extinguishment. Wire and cable fires can be caused by the faults of wires and cables themselves

or the faults caused by external heat sources. According to the heat sources that cause wires and cables to ignite

this paper discusses the causes of combustion from six aspects

including unreliable connection

carbonization-path arc

air-arc

external heat source

core overheating and short circuit

and briefly introduces the ignition mechanisms by above-mentioned multiple factors. Combustion characteristics of wires and cables and experimental methods about them are introduced in this paper. Moreover

the shortcomings in the current study and the problems that should be focused on in the future are presented

which is of great significance to guide the implementation of fire prevention measures.