PVC insulation is an essential consideration in an electrical cable in most applications. However, a wide range of varieties are available in PVC insulation, and you must be aware of a cheap product. Read this blog post to learn about various PVC wires used in multiple applications.
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What are PVC wires?
Undoubtedly, wires that have PVC covering are PVC wires, and you can call them vinyl wires. PVC offers cables high resistance against acids, alkalis, sunlight, heat, weather, oils, and abrasion. In addition, PVC acts as a waterproof jacket for installations requiring high protection. These properties make PVC an excellent outer covering for wires, including underground feeders, street lighting, control, direct burial wires, and aerial wires.
Nonetheless, many PVC compounds do not have extreme high and low temperatures in the same formulation. Instead, they range from -20°C to 60°C. Further, different varieties of PVC have other electrical properties and flexibility.
Caption: PVC wires
Application of PVC copper wires
You can find PVC in copper wire products in the form of :
Machine tool wire (MTW) and TEW (thermoplastic equipment wire)
Importantly, MTW and TEW are stranded wires with soft annealed PVC-insulated copper wire. TEW consists of a copper conductor (bare) , whereas MTW wire uses a copper conductor that is tinned. However, TEW has TEW/MTW label as it’s suitable for applications of both the wires. However, tinned copper does not have a decreased efficiency in humid or high heat environments.
Applications:
First and Foremost, you can use MTW/TEW wire as a general-purpose hook-up wire for appliances’ internal wiring. For example, you can use them in refrigeration equipment, AC equipment, Automatic washers, control panels, and control wiring of machine tools. Generally speaking, you can use them in dry locations less than 90°C or wet areas.
Besides, CSA type TEW rating allows the use of wire in dry locations up to 105°C, and in wet areas or in applications where wires come in contact with oils and coolants, it has a rating of 60°C.
Application wire material (AWM)
AWM wire has a copper conductor (annealed) and Polyvinyl chloride insulation. It is either a solid or stranded wire with a rating of 1000 V.
Applications:
Importantly, You can use AWM wire in machine tool wiring, general-purpose circuit wiring, and appliances’ internal wiring like control panels, air-conditioning equipment, refrigeration equipment wiring, control wiring of machine tools, and automatic washers. Also, according to UL and CSA ratings, you can only use them in dry locations less than 105°C.
TW/THW wire:
Besides, TW or THW wire is also available in a solid or stranded form with the annealed copper conductor having polyvinyl chloride as cable insulation material. TW or THW means thermoplastic, high heat-resistant, and water-resistant. Importantly, the UL rating for this wire is 600 volts.
Applications:
Generally, you can use stranded TW/THW wire in standard wiring circuits for internal and machine tool wiring appliances. Typical uses include wiring for refrigeration equipment, control panels, AC equipment, automatic washers, and control wiring of machine tools. In addition, you can use solid TW/THW wires for general grounding purposes such as CATV installations, telephone, and communications, swimming pool lighting, pumps, and traffic light signals.
You can use this tracer wire, especially in industrial, commercial, and residential applications where it is dry and less than 90°C.
Caption: insulating cables
Standard UL Styles PVC Wires
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a third-party testing laboratory that certifies the products. Usually, the laboratory gives a style number for every approved AWM construction. It also specifies the general use as per the UL’s evaluation.
Here are some of the common Underwriters Laboratory-style PVC wires.
UL 1007 Hook-up wire
Nominal voltage: 300 V
Temperature range: flexible installation -5 ℃ to + 80 ℃ ; fixed installation -30 ℃ to + 80 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes, self-extinguishing and flame retardant, damp and heat resistance
Cable structure: Stranded conductor (copper), Tinned as per UL-Std. 785 section G, Polyvinyl Chloride insulation as per UL-Std. 1581 class 43 Tab. 50.182
Applications: Particularly, you can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electronic and electrical equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances.
UL 1015 Hook-up wire:
Nominal voltage: 600 V
Temperature range: flexible installation -5 ℃ to + 105 ℃ ; fixed installation -30 ℃ to + 105 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes self-extinguishing and flame retardant, Resistance against heat and damp conditions
Cable structure: Stranded conductor (copper), Tinned or plain AWG sizes, Polyvinylchloride insulation as per UL-Standard 1581, class 43 and CSA-C22.2 No. 210 UL VW-1 and CSA FT1
Applications: You can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electric and electronic equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances. You can use it as a machine tool wire or with protective tubes when needed.
UL 1028 Hook-up wire
Nominal voltage: 600 V
Temperature range: less than 105 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes, self-extinguishing, and flame retardant
Cable structure: Stranded or solid copper conductor, Tinned or bare copper conductor 22-6 AWG, Polyvinyl Chloride insulation as per UL subject 758, UL 1581, CSA 22.2
Applications: Ordinarily, you can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electronic and electric equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances. Also, you can also use it as a machine tool wire or with protective tubes when needed.
UL 1061 Hookup wire:
Nominal voltage: 300 V
Temperature range: less than 80 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes, self-extinguishing, and flame retardant
Cable structure: Stranded copper conductor, Tinned to UL standard. 785 section G, SR-Polyvinyl chloride insulation core as per UL subject 758
Applications: Firstly, you can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electronic and electric equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances. Also, You can use it with protective tubes when needed.
UL 1283 Hookup wire
Nominal voltage: 600 V
Temperature range: less than 105 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes, self-extinguishing, and flame retardant
Cable structure: Stranded or solid copper conductor, Bare or tinned copper conductors 8-2AWG
Polyvinyl chloride core insulation as per UL subject 758, UL 1581, CSA 22.2
Applications: Firstly, you can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electronic and electric equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances. Also, you can use it as a machine tool wire or with protective tubes when needed.
UL 1569 Hookup wire
Nominal voltage : 300 V
Temperature range : -5 ℃ to +105 ℃
Properties: resistance against oil, acids, solvents, Lyes, self-extinguishing and flame retardant, Resistance against heat and damp conditions
Cable structure: Stranded copper conductor, Tinned to UL-Std. 785, Polyvinyl chloride core insulation as per UL standard. 1581 class 43 Tab. 50.182
Applications: Firstly, you can use it as a connecting wire in the internal wiring of electronic and electric equipment like motors, lighting, and home appliances. Also, you can use it with protective tubes when needed.
Caption: Solid wires
Conclusion:
Thus, you must pick the right type for your application. Whenever, if you need any assistance regarding PVC wires, our technical experts can help you. Gloom deals in high-quality PVC cables and other types of electric cables & wire assemblies to suit your application requirements.
