Is enameled wire the same as copper wire?

The two are not the same, enameled wire and copper wire refer to different aspects of an electrical conductor.

Copper Wire: This term specifically refers to the conductor material, which is copper. Copper wire is a bare, solid or stranded wire made entirely of copper. It does not have any additional insulating or coating material.

Enameled Wire: Enameled wire, on the other hand, refers to a wire that has a thin insulating layer or coating applied to the surface of the copper (or aluminum) conductor. The insulating layer is typically made of enamel, which is a type of polymer. This layer provides electrical insulation between adjacent turns in a coil or winding.

In summary, all enameled wires are made of copper or aluminum at their core, but not all copper wires are enameled. The term “copper wire” simply denotes the material, while “enameled wire” indicates that the copper wire is coated with a thin layer of insulating material, usually enamel, to serve specific electrical or mechanical purposes in applications such as transformers, motors, coils, and inductors.