Why not?

THHN wire is usually made with PVC insulation and it is not approved for outdoor use. This wire does not have the nylon coating that would make it acceptable for outdoor use. The wire is not water or moisture resistant and will be ruined quickly if it is put outside. The only way it would work is if you used the wire in conduit above ground; however it still cannot be buried. Most wires or cables that can be buried have additional layers of insulation or jackets to withstand the environmental conditions.

Underground Cable

Cables that are intended for use underground have a special insulation around them that allows for this kind of use. These wires are generally resistant to sunlight, water, moisture, and fungus.  Some of the wires that are approved for burial have an extra layer of PVC insulation on top of their nylon jacket. The PVC and the nylon jackets work together to make the wire better resistant to extreme weather conditions as well.

It is suggested that you ask the pet shop to make sure that you buy the correct wire for the job. The wire or cable needs to have an insulation that is strong enough to withstand direct burial. You want a wire that is going to last for a long time; these kinds of long lasting heavily insulated wires are going to cost more money than a THHN wire. Some of your underground cable options are UF-B cable, USE-2 wire, and Tray cable. Each is approved for outdoor and underground use because of the stronger insulation they have.

Written by: WesBell Electronics, Inc.

Insulation

Welding cable has an insulation that is made to be able to stand up to the toughest of work conditions. The super welding cable has a different insulation than the welding cable. The super welding cables insulation is stronger. It is resistant to more materials and can withstand more wear and tear in a workplace. The insulation is still very flexible, abrasion resistant, and has good color retention. In addition to that the insulation is also weather and ozone resistant. It is also safety colors, in bright orange.

Cable Attributes

These super welding cables come in sizes ranging from 6 AWG to 4/0. These wires also can withstand temperatures between -50°C and 90°C. The cables can also withstand up to 600 volts of electricity. Now if a customer is looking for cables with a higher voltage rating they may want to look at DLO cable; and if they need a cable with a higher temperature range they should look into stage lighting cables.

The super welding cable also has a number of different approvals. It is UL, CSA, and MSHA approved. These approvals reassure the customer that the product they are getting is of good quality and it is going to meet all the claims the manufacturer has made about temperature ratings and voltage levels.

Written by: WesBell Electronics

Conductors and Insulation

This specific kind of UF-B cable is made with either 2 or 3 conductors, and customers have the option of ordering the cable with or without a ground wire. The conductors of the UF-B cable can be made with three variations of copper, annealed, solid, or compressed stranded copper. Each of the conductors of the UF-B cable has a PVC insulation wrapped around them. The cable also has a nylon jacket and the wire is color coded for identification purposes. The grey PVC jacket on these wires is resistant to sunlight, moisture, and fungus making this wire acceptable for use both outdoors and underground.

Applications

The UF-B cables are used for outdoor electrical applications. They can go directly in the ground with or without conduit. The wires come in sizes 14, 12, 10, 8, and 6 AWG. The wire is built tough to be able to withstand the difficult outdoor weather. If you need an underground electrical cable this is generally your best option. You can use it in conduit underground but that is not necessary seeing as how the PVC insulation is resistant to water, sunlight, and fungus.

UF-B cable is made to be used underground. It is a direct burial cable and there is no need to use conduit when installing this wire. The UF-B cable only comes in the one color. That PVC insulation is resistant to a number of things such as moisture, fungus, and sunlight.  The Southwire UF-B cable meets all UL standards and the requirements of the National Electric Code as well so customers can be assured they are getting a quality product.

Written by: WesBell Electronics Inc.

Welding Cable

Welding cable is typically used in machine shops and more industrial applications. Because of this the cable needs to have a jacket that is strong enough to stand up to the tough conditions of the work place. This specific cable has great abrasion resistance, good color retention and great flexibility. The jacket on welding cables it usually made out of neoprene or EPDM. These wires are able to handle up to 600 volts of electricity and temperatures ranging from -40°C to 90°C. The cables also come in sizes ranging from 6 AWG all the way to 500 MCM, also they are UL, CSA, MSHA, and RoHS approved.

DLO Cable

DLO stands for Diesel Locomotive Cable and they are made with a stranded tinned copper conductor. They are made with dual jackets to be tough enough to stand daily abuse, extreme temperatures, and an overall highly stressful industrial environment. DLO cable is excellent at resisting abrasion, impact, oils, acids, heat, alkalies, and flames. This kind of welding cable is deal for applications such as diesel electric locomotives, flexible power leads in conduit or raceways, and it is also great for motor leads. The temperature rating on this cable is approved for up to 90°C. They are also approved to be able to handle up to 2,000 volts of electricity.

Super Welding Cable

Now super welding cable can sometimes be used as battery cables. This kind of cable is more flexible because it is made with a rubber jacket instead of the typical PVC like a normal welding cable. The conductor is also typically made out of 34 awg strands to help increase the flexibility of the wire. The super welding cable has good color retention and is safety colored with an orange jacket. The welding cable is also has approvals from MSHA, UL and CSA, and it is resistant to weather, ozone and abrasions.

Looking for the right kind of welding cable for an application can be tricky. There are a lot of options out there and each one is different. It is important to know just what you are looking for before making a purchase. Each one of these cables is ideal for a different application. All of these welding cable options are abrasion resistant and resistant to a number of chemicals and substances that could possibly be spilled at a work site.

Written By: WesBell Electronics Inc.

AWG Size Options

All of the compression lugs come in a wide variety of sizes. For the short barrel one hole compression lugs there is a range of sizes starting from 6 AWG all the way to 500 MCM size. This gives customers the ability to use almost any size welding cable they have. These lugs also come in both a flexible and a non-flexible form. Also each AWG sized lug has options that customers can pick the size of the bolt they want to use. The range of sizes available to customers also gives them the freedom to use the lugs to attach to almost any welding machine.

Bolt Size Options

The size of the bolt a customer uses to attach the compression lug to the welding machine is very important. There are different bolt size options for each size of compression lug. Generally the bigger the compression lug and the cable being used the larger the bolt will need to be to keep a strong connection.  The size of the bolt can also be determined by the machine you are attaching too. If the welding machine moves shakes a lot you may want a bigger bolt to make the connection stronger and last longer.

Flexible vs. Non-Flexible

This is referring to the kind of cable being used here. A flexible cable used a different lug than a non-flexible cable. This is because the copper strands of the flexible cable will start to fray to a bigger O.D. when the insulation is removed. So a flexible cable needs to use a flexible lug. Meanwhile a solid copper cable will be able to use a solid compression lug. Just know that as the cables get larger though it’s more likely that they are going to only come in the flexible option. This is because larger gauges of wires and cables with solid conductors do not bend or move well.

Compression lugs by Burndy are rated to be able to handle between 600 volts and 35,000 volts of electricity. The lugs also are approved for temperatures reaching as high as 90°C. They also have both UL and CSA approvals on them. The fact that the compression lugs come in a variety of sizes with the options of having different size bolts as well as options for flexible and solid conductors just proves that this product is versatile. These compression lugs are going to be great for any customer who needs them.

Written by: WesBell Wire and Cable

SOOW & SJOOW Cables

These cables are very similar. The SOOW and SJOOW cables are almost identical except for the voltage level each of them can handle. The SOOW cable is approved to be able to handle up to 600 volts of electricity, while the SJOOW cable is only approved to be able to handle 300. They are both used in control circuits, machine tools, heavy industrial, and processing and construction equipment. These cables are extra flexible and are super abrasion resistant. And they are made with a Neoprene rubber jacket around them.

Type W Cable

The Type W portable cord is approved to be able to handle 2,000 volts of electricity, and have the same neoprene rubber jacket around them. The cords are better suited for outdoor use and can handle the outdoor environment better than the SOOW cables. This cord can also withstand exposure to oils, acid, alkalies, heat moisture and most chemicals, making this the perfect cord for industrial applications. This cord is intended to be used in heavy duty service as power supply, and even in mobile and portable electronic equipment. Because of these uses the cords need to be very rugged and durable.

Type G and G-GC Cable

The Type G and  G-GC cords are very similar to the Type W cords. The only main difference is that the Type G and the G-GC cords have additional ground wires that the Type W cords do not have.  They are made with the same Neoprene rubber jacket again. And the cords have just about identical uses and applications that the Type W cables have.  These cords are also rated to be able to handle temperatures between -40°C and up to 90°C.

Tray Cable

Tray cable has a number of smaller conductors inside of it. The cords start off with a PLTC cable, and then it gets two or three conductors added to it. However these cords can have up to five conductors in it. It can either be shielded or unshielded. Most of the options for tray cables are approved for 300 volts of electricity. The tray cables are made to endure extreme conditions such as extreme heat, weathering, moisture, and even sunlight. The extreme durability of the cords allows it to be used in industrial applications.

Higher Voltage Cable

For even higher voltage cord options you could look at a MV-105 power cable. These cable options are a little different. They are usually made from a combination of ethylene propylene rubber and cross linked polyethylene. The cables are usually rated to be able to handle voltages around 5kV to 35kV. These cables are generally only used for either industrial or commercial uses. The cords are made to last and can provide customers with long term service. Customers need to be careful of which cord they purchase and need to be sure they know what they are doing before buying a high voltage MV-105 cable.

As a customer you need to make sure that you have done your research before you go right ahead and buy one of these cables. Each one is a little bit different. They do all however have very similar uses, and are made out of fairly similar materials. It is important that as a customer you know what you’re doing when doing electrical work. The SJOOW & SOOW cords are more basic and more commonly used. The Type W, G and G-GC cords are more for industrial uses than uses around the home. Same goes for the Tray cables and the High voltage cables.

Written by: WesBell Wire and Cable

One Hole

This is the basic kind of compression lug. A one hole compression lug is simply just that. There is one hole in the lug so that there is one bolt that can attach the lug to the welding machine. This does not however give the most secure connection. This lug is the least expensive out of all the options.

Short Barrel

These compression lugs are also pretty basic. Again it’s just what it sounds like a short barrel lug. The barrel on the lug is short so there is only room for one crimp onto the welding cable. This gives a good connection between the two but it does not however provide the best connection. The short barrel compression lug is the more basic option when comparing it to the long barrel lug.

Two Hole

The two hole compression lugs give a better hold onto the welding machine. That’s because there is room for two bolts. The two bolts obviously give a better connection than just the one bolt does. If you have a welding machine that vibrates a lot you may want to consider buying a two holed compression lug. The two bolts give the connection more strength and a better hold compared to when there is only one bolt.

Long Barrel

The long barrel lugs offer a better grip onto the welding cable than the short barrel lugs do. This is because there is room for two crimps onto the welding cable rather than just the one. This will also offer a longer connection not only between the compression lug and the welding cable, but also between the compression lug and the welding machine as well.

Depending on the manufacturer the lugs can have both UL and CSA approvals. The compression lugs are all made of copper. They all have a beveled entry and are electro tin plated. Depending on the size of the barrel of the lug it can be crimped either once or twice the higher number of crimps there are the stronger the hold the lug has on the welding cable itself. The number of holes the compression lug has also dictates the number of bolts that can be used to secure the lug to the welding machine.

Written by: WesBell Wire and Cable

DLO Cable

The DLO cables are a single conductor cable. It is an industrial cable rated for 2000 volts of electricity. They have a very thick rubber insulation wrapped around them, and there are usually two layers of it. Diesel locomotive cable is used to power to locomotives and it’s very protective. The conductors of these cables are made with 24 AWG tinned copper strands. The DLO cables are tough enough to withstand the daily abuse, temperature extremes and high-stress industrial environments it’s intended for. And it has a temperature rating of 90°C.

Type W Cable

The Type W cables come as either a single conductor or as a multi conductor cable. Type W cables also have a double layer of rubber insulation just like the DLO cables do. There is no ground wire included.  All the conductors in the cable are all the same size. The conductors are made with 30 AWG bare copper strands. They are all color coded so they can easily be identified. The Type W cables are slightly more flexible than the DLO cables are. The Type W cables are very resistant to oil, acid, alkalies, heat, moisture and most chemicals.

Type G Cable

A Type G cable is very similar to the Type W cable. The main difference is that the Type G cable has additional ground wires that the Type W cable does not have. The core of the cable is bound for superior flexibility and toughness. The Type W cable has conductors that are all the same size and the Type G does not. For example the Type W cable could have four conductors that are 2 AWG and an additional four that are 9 AWG. These Type G cables also have a special rope lay stranding to maximize the flex life of the cable.

All of these cables can handle severe environmental conditions. These cables are each rated to be able to handle 2000 volts of electricity. They each have slightly different characteristics despite being very similar cables. They also all have similar ideal uses as well. The DLO cable is a single conductor only. The Type W cable can come in both single and a multi conductor form. And the Type G cable can have different size conductors in the multi conductor version of the cable.

Written by: WesBell Wire and Cable

Polyolefin

This is the most basic form of heat shrink tubing. It is also the least expensive form. This kind of tubing is still all purpose and can satisfy a variety or demanding needs and different applications. The polyolefin tubing won’t burn or support flames. The tubing is thermally stable and can be used as a multi-purpose insulator. And the tubing is resistant to chemicals as well as solvents. Meaning that not only can this tubing help to fix breaks in a wire or cable but it also can increase the protection of the wire.

Adhesive Lined

This tubing has a thin layer of glue on the inside. So now when the tubing is heated to shrink the glue also melts. Once it is dry it has formed an even more solid bond between the tubing and the wire or cable it has been shrunk around. The adhesive also helps to create a corrosion resistant seal. The adhesive lined tubing is still flexible so it won’t interfere with the wire or cables flexibility. It is also offers the wire more moisture protection. Because of the added protection and the adhesive lining this variation of the tubing is going to be more expensive. It is however worth the money for the added protection and the better hold it will have on the wires.

PVC

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. This tubing is slightly more expensive. That is because it has a more glossy feeling to it that the other kinds of tubing. This version of tubing has a lower shrinking temperature than the others do. It also has superior strength to it once it has been shrunk down to size. The PVC tubing is also highly flame resistant. And in addition to being resistant to chemicals and moisture, they are also resistant to oils, sunlight and fungus. The PVC tubing pretty much has the same characteristics as PVC coated wire.

Tubing can be very helpful. They all come in a variety of colors so that each wire can easily be identified. They are great for organizing as well as fixing broken wires. The tubing no matter what kind you get can also be great for bundling multiple wires together. Each material that the heat shrink tubing can be made out of each has its own set of unique characteristics. As a customer you should look at each kind of tubing to see which one will best fit your needs.

Written by: WesBell Electronics, Inc. 

5 Types of Cable

There are five different kinds of type W portable power cable. The reason there are 5 different kinds of wire is because each wire has a different number of conductors. Each wire with a different number of conductors also comes in different gauge sizes. Generally the cables can be purchased in sizes ranging from 8 AWG up to a size 500 MCM. The type W wires are categorized by the number of conductors it has. Each wire however no matter how many conductors it has can handle up to 2000 volts of electricity.

All Types

No matter what type of type W cable you buy they will always be made out of the EPDM neoprene rubber, making the cable both flexible and very durable. The Super Vu-Tron Power Cord is made to be more flexible than the average type W cord. The wires all can be generally used for the same applications as well even depending on the number of conductors each cable has. Each cable has a temperature range of -40°C up to 90°C. These cables can withstand extreme and severe environmental conditions. They have excellent impact and abrasion resistance. Plus they are resistant to oil, alkalies, heat, moisture and most chemicals. These two features of the cable are what make it so durable and gives the cable the ability to be used in industrial and even light to medium mining situations.

The type W cables are very durable. They are ideal for any customer that is looking for a portable power cable that needs to be used in an industrial environment. The cable is designed to not only have superior flexibility but also to be extremely tough and durable. These Type W portable power cords can be used to give power to a significant number of different types of machinery and even to small at home appliances. So because of the cords ability to be so durable and the significant number of uses, this cord is perfect for whatever job a customer has for it. No matter if it is going to be used in an at home setting or an industrial setting. This portable power cord will be able to handle just about everything.

Written by: WesBell Electronics, Inc.