Abstract: Electrical cable fires represent a primary cause of electrical fires, posing severe threats to life and property safety. Recent research on fire behavior of electrical cables and wires was systematically reviewed, focusing on analysis of ignition, flame propagation, molten dripping, and extinction processes. Mechanistic roles of key influencing factors were analyzed, such as heat transfer characteristics of conductor core (exhibiting dual functionality as both a heat source and a heat sink), environmental pressure, oxygen concentration, gravitational fields, and airflow conditions. Discrepancies and connections between laboratory-based fundamental models and commercial cable testing standards were critically highlighted, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental research and engineering applications. Finally, key future research directions were outlined to provide a reliable theoretical foundation and technical underpinning for design, development, and safety assessment of high-performance fire-resistant cables.