Standard Wire and Cable Types

This technical specification defines for the contractor the standard wire and cable types used when performing electrical work in commercial buildings, plants and refineries projects.

Here we discussed 4 types of standard wire and cable types.

1. Medium Voltage Power Cable (5KV to 15KV): All medium voltage cables must be sourced from manufacturers approved and listed in the “Electrical Equipment Qualified Suppliers” spreadsheet. Substitutions will not be allowed unless they are approved by the relevant Electrical Engineering authority responsible for the project.

2. 600-Volt Power & Control Wire: 600-Volt Power & Control Wire is a type of electrical wire commonly used for power distribution and control circuits in various applications. This wire is designed to carry electrical currents at voltages up to 600 volts, making it suitable for a wide range of commercial, industrial, and residential electrical systems.

3. Low Voltage Instrument Cable (24VDC): Low Voltage Instrument Cable (24VDC) is a type of electrical cable designed for the transmission of low-voltage electrical signals and power in various industrial and instrumentation applications. It is specifically rated for use with direct current (DC) systems at a voltage of 24 volts.

4. Thermocouple Extension Cable: Thermocouple Extension Cable is a specialized type of electrical cable designed for use with thermocouples, which are temperature-sensing devices used for measuring and monitoring temperature in various industrial and scientific applications. Thermocouples work based on the Seebeck effect, where two different metal conductors generate a voltage proportional to the temperature difference between their ends.

Thermocouple extension cables are used to connect the thermocouple sensor to temperature measurement instruments or control systems while maintaining the accuracy of temperature readings.

Cable Code Structure: The complete identification of medium voltage cables comprises a two-digit prefix indicating the cable type, followed by a two-digit suffix specifying the conductor size.

Suffix	Conductor Size
06	6 AWG
04	4 AWG
02	2 AWG
11	1/0 AWG
21	2/0 AWG
41	4/0 AWG
25	250 kcmil
35	350 kcmil
50	500 kcmil
75	750 kcmil

Medium Voltage Cable Types

Medium voltage cables play a crucial role in electrical systems, providing reliable power transmission at elevated voltages. The following cable types (H2 to H9) outline various specifications for medium voltage cables, each designed for specific applications and voltage requirements:

Type 1 – Single Conductor Cable, 5 kV:

Class B stranded copper conductor.
UL type MV-105.
105°C 133% EPR insulation.
CU tape shield.
PVC jacket.

Type 2 – Multiconductor Cable, 5 kV (Prysmian AIRGUARD™ Cable Design):

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire

Type 3 – Single Conductor Cable, 15 kV:

Class B stranded copper conductor
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
PVC jacket

Type 4 – Multiconductor Cable, 5 kV:

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire
Aluminum interlocked armor or Continuous Corrugated Aluminum Armor (CCW)
Overall PVC jacket

Type 5 – Multiconductor Cable, 15 kV (Prysmian AIRGUARD™ Cable Design):

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire

Type 6 – Multiconductor Cable, 15 kV:

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire
Aluminum interlocked armor or Continuous Corrugated Aluminum Armor (CCW)
Overall PVC jacket

Type 7 – Multiconductor Cable, 5 kV:

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire
Overall PVC jacket

Type 8 – Multiconductor Cable, 15 kV:

3 class B stranded copper conductors
UL type MV-105
105°C 133% EPR insulation
CU tape shield
Ground wire
Overall PVC jacket

Each cable type is designed to meet specific voltage, insulation, shielding, and jacketing requirements, ensuring they are suitable for various applications and environmental conditions. The choice of cable type depends on the intended use and voltage level within an electrical system.

600-Volt Power & Control Wire and Cable Types

Electrical systems rely on various types of wire and cable to transmit power and control signals effectively. The following descriptions outline the characteristics and applications of different 600-volt power and control wire and cable types (M1 to M10):

Type 1 – 600-Volt Wire, NEC Type THW:

Moisture and heat-resistant thermoplastic wire
Single conductor
Stranded copper
Rated for use up to 75°C

Type 2 – 600-Volt Wire, NEC Type XHHW:

Moisture-resistant thermoset wire
Single conductor
Stranded copper
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 3 – 600-Volt Wire, NEC Type THWN-THHN:

Moisture and heat-resistant thermoplastic wire
Single conductor
Stranded copper
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 4 – 600-Volt Wire, NEC Type TFE:

Extended polytetrafluoroethylene wire
Single conductor
Stranded tin-coated copper
Rated for use up to 250°C

Type 5 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type TC:

Tray cable
Multiconductor power cable
Individual stranded copper conductors
NEC Type THWN-THHN
Ground wires installed in interstices
Overall PVC sheath
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 6 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type TC:

Tray cable
Multiconductor control cable
Individual stranded copper conductors
NEC Type THWN-THHN
Overall PVC sheath
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 7 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type TC:

Tray cable
Multiconductor control cable
Individual stranded copper conductors
NEC Type THWN-THHN
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire and PVC jacket
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 8 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type MC:

Metal-clad multiconductor power cable
Individual stranded copper conductors
XLP insulation
Ground wires installed in interstices
Interlocked aluminum armor
Overall PVC jacket
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 9 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type MC:

Metal-clad multiconductor control cable
Class B stranded copper conductors
Interlocked aluminum armor
Overall PVC jacket
XLP insulation
Rated for use up to 90°C

Type 10 – 600-Volt Cable, NEC Type MC-HL:

Metal-clad multiconductor power cable
Individual stranded copper conductors
XLP (XHHW-2) insulation
Ground wires installed in interstices
Corrugated aluminum armor (CCW)
Overall PVC jacket
Rated for use up to 90°C
Suitable for Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) use

These wire and cable types are designed to meet specific requirements and standards, making them suitable for various applications within electrical systems, from power transmission to control and protection. The choice of wire or cable type depends on the intended use, environmental conditions, and temperature requirements of the electrical installation.

Low Voltage Instrument Cable (24VDC)

Low voltage instrument cables are essential for transmitting signals and power in control and instrumentation applications. The following cable types and descriptions provide options for various wiring needs:

Nom. Conductor DC Resistance @ 20 Deg. C (Ω/1000 ft)

Types 1:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC (power limited tray cable)
Single-twisted pair
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Suitable for single-pair applications

Type 2:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC
Multiple-twisted pair
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Individual aluminum Mylar shield and copper drain wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various pair configurations.

Type 3:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC
Multiple-twisted pair
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
No shield or drain wire for individual pairs
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various pair configurations.

Type 4:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC
Multiple-twisted pair
#20 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Individual aluminum Mylar shield and copper drain wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various pair configurations

Type 5:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC
Single-twisted triad (3/c)
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Suitable for triad (3/c) applications.

Type 6:

300-volt instrument cable
NEC Type PLTC
Multiple-twisted triad
#20 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Individual aluminum Mylar shield and copper drain wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various triad configurations.

Type 7:

600-volt instrument cable
NEC Type TC (tray cable)
Single-twisted pair
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Suitable for single-pair applications.

Type 8:

600-volt instrument cable
NEC Type TC
Multiple-twisted pairs
#18 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Individual aluminum Mylar shield and copper drain wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various pair configurations.

Type 9:

600-volt instrument cable
NEC Type TC
Single-twisted triad (3/c)
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Suitable for triad (3/c) applications.

Type 10:

600-volt instrument cable
NEC Type TC
Multiple-twisted triads
#16 AWG insulated stranded copper wire
Individual aluminum Mylar shield and copper drain wire
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Available in various triad configurations.

These low voltage instrument cables come in a range of configurations to accommodate different wiring requirements in control and instrumentation systems. The choice of cable type depends on factors such as the application, environmental conditions, and specific wiring needs.

Thermocouple Extension Cable

Here are various types of thermocouple extension cables with their specifications:

Type 1:

300-volt thermocouple extension cable
NEC Type PLTC (power limited tray cable)
Twisted pair
Instrument Society of America (ISA) Type “EX”
#16 AWG solid chromel-constantan conductors
Overall aluminum Mylar shield
Copper drain wire
PVC jacket
Suitable for 1 pair applications.