Cable Tray Wire
Wire is a significant part of the cable management system installed throughout numerous regions. Regions where cable tray systems are commonly installed, such as manufacturing plants, are generally replete with cable tray, and the type of wire used often determines the longevity and continuity of the system. From the industrial power cabling that's used to supply electricity and control machinery, to data and communication cabling, which is becoming increasingly important in the age of IoT and digitalization, cable tray wire allows different types of cable to be grouped together within a confined space and still be reversible and serviceable.
Type TC cables, also known as tray cables, are made for use in tray systems. They are built with insulating materials that allow them to function safely in wet or dry locations and insulation and jacketing combinations, based on light to heavy-duty applications. They can be installed in free air, raceways, and/or direct burial. For industrial uses, the wire and its insulation may be resistant to oil and other corrosive elements, promoting system longevity in particularly rough operating conditions.
FAQs
What type tray cables are designed for use with PVC raceways?
Type TC (Tray Cable) is designed for use with PVC raceways, offering versatility and durability for power and control applications in industrial settings.
Industrial Wire Types: Part 1
THHN
Thermoplastic, High Heat resistant, Nylon jacket insulation (THHN) wire is used in conduit or in cable trays due to its rigidity and tough insulation characteristics. THHN can be stranded (several small strands of wire grouped together), allowing for more flexibility and less chance of breakage, or solid (one wire), which is more durable and rigid. THHN wire is suitable for use in dry locations with temperatures that do not exceed 90 degrees Celsius.
XHHW
Cross-linked polyethylene, High Heat-resistant, Water-resistant (XHHW) wire is very similar to THHN. The difference is that XHHW wire is overall a more durable wire that can withstand higher temperatures and is water resistant. XHHW wire can also be found in both stranded and solid wire options.
MTW
Machine Tool Wire (MTW) wire is much more flexible than THHN wire with insulation that is not as durable, making it a poor choice to run through conduit. The flexibility makes it ideal for winding through tight areas, such as wire ducting in an industrial control cabinet. MTW wire is almost exclusively found in stranded wire, which allows for much of the flexibility and reduces the chances of the wire breaking. MTW wire is intended for use in dry locations that do not exceed 90 degrees Celsius or wet locations that do not to exceed 60 degrees Celsius.