The essential properties of an insulating and sheath compound for an electric cable depend primarily on the service conditions including operating voltage, current load, system characteristics, temperature of surroundings, exposure to heat, light, and moisture - and for cables used in the pulp and paper industry, exposure to many chemical solutions not generally found in other industries. Replies to a recent questionnaire prepared by the TAPPI Subcommittee on Cables and sent to all of the operating plants of the pulp and paper industry showed that the predominant causes of cable failures have been as follows: (1) deterioration due to age and oxidation; (2) deterioration due to exposure to oil, water, sunlight, and chemicals; (3) improper termination and splicing; and (4) damage to cable during installation. There was a considerable spread between the assigned causes of the cable failures as reported by the plants employing various processes of pulp treatment (sulphite, sulphate, groundwood, rag, etc.) but there was a definite pattern which assigned the four causes listed above as being predominantly important. The paper presented herewith, points out how, by employing some of the synthetic rubbers and thermoplastics available today, the wire and cable failures due to the first two causes listed above can be considerably reduced. Comparison of the properties of the synthetic rubber compounds with those employing natural rubbers as a base are presented.