You have to consider the thickness, strands and like you said, jacket.
Cable is measured by AWG-American Wire Guage standards.
The smaller the number, the thicker the cable.
Welders cable can go a thick as AWG 0, 00, 000, ???? --really thick cable.
Normal welders cable is AWG 4, 3, 2 or AWG1.
Household power cords can be AWG 20, 18, 16, guage
You may have a car stereo power cord that is AWG 10 with many strands for flexibility.
The sheilding on the car battery cables and welders wire would resist the oils, acids and heat generated by the engine. Stereo power cords are not designed for these extremes.
Wiki for more info...
American wire gauge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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