Type W

Type W Cable

Upgrade your industrial operations with robust Type W Cable from Allied Wire and Cable. Engineered for heavy-duty and outdoor applications, this portable power cable features thick synthetic rubber insulation and a jacket that stands up against oil, chemicals, and water.

Available in configurations of one, two, three, four, or five conductors, the versatile Type W cable ensures safety and reliability with the option to use the green conductor as a ground in cables with three or more wires. With superior impact and abrasion resistance and a high voltage rating of 2,000V AC or DC, the Type W Cable is the optimal choice for powering through the toughest conditions.

What is Type W Cable?

Type W Cable is a durable, heavy-duty portable power cable for use outdoors in industrial and mining applications. Cables have thick synthetic rubber insulation and an oil, chemical, and water-resistant jacket. Cables have one, two, three, four, or five conductors. While there's no separate ground wire, you may use the green conductor in three, four, and five-wire cables as a ground conductor. Type W cable has good impact and abrasion resistance and a voltage rating of 2,000v AC or DC.

Type W Cable Variations

Allied Wire and Cable's Type W cables come in three distinct varieties, each designed to meet specific industrial demands with unmatched durability and performance. These include single conductor, multiconductor, and flat configurations, making them highly adaptable to a wide range of applications.

Single Conductor

The single conductor Type W cable is a robust choice with its round profile, enveloped in synthetic rubber insulation and a protective jacket. Rated RHH and RHW, this cable is suitable for 600-volt general wiring under the National Electrical Code, making it ideal for applications that require a high degree of reliability and safety, such as in construction and utility sectors.

Multiconductor Round

The multiconductor variant features two to five uniquely colored conductors, ensuring easy identification during installation. The cable's round profile includes a bound core which enhances both strength and flexibility, crucial for environments where the cable may be subject to bending and twisting. Typical applications include powering heavy machinery in manufacturing plants, large-scale lighting installations in commercial buildings, and in temporary power setups at industrial sites.

Flat

The flat Type W cable, with its unique four parallel D-shaped conductors, is specifically designed for three-phase AC applications. This profile is particularly suited for environments where space and flexibility are at a premium, such as in elevator shafts or behind walls in theatrical setups. The absence of a separate ground wire simplifies connectivity while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Together, these variations of Type W cable ensure that Allied Wire and Cable can cater to a vast array of industries, including mining, manufacturing, construction, entertainment, and beyond. Each type is engineered to provide reliable, uninterrupted power in even the most demanding of applications, underscoring Allied Wire and Cable’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Type W Cable Design

Conductors

Single and multi conductor Type W cables have rope-lay-stranded copper conductors. The flat version uses stranded tinned copper conductors with a D profile.

Insulation

All cables have synthetic rubber insulation made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) reinforced by a polyester braid. EPDM has good resistance to water and chemicals and excellent heat, ozone, abrasion, and weathering properties. It is a thermoset material with good dielectric properties.

Jacket

Jacket materials are chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE). Both materials are tough, with exceptional abrasion resistance and weathering properties. They are resistant to water, oils, acids, alkalis, diesel, and gasoline and have good flame resistance properties.

Separators

Type W flat cable uses polyester tapes to separate each conductor

Type W Cable Applications

You may use Type W cable as portable power supply cables for 2,000-volt three and four wire AC power supplies that require grounding, as well as for ungrounded AC and DC power supplies. Examples include mobile mining equipment, generators, pumps, shuttle cars, drills, and electromagnets. Additionally, single conductor versions carry a dual RHH/RHW rating, allowing their use in permanent 600-volt AC and DC installations including raceways and cable trays, and for stage and theater lighting, sound systems, and portable power supplies in the entertainment industry.

Similar Cables

Multicore Cables

Alternative heavy-duty portable power cables include Type G and Type G-GC portable cables. Type G portable cable differs from Type W in that it has three or four separate ground conductors, one for each phase wire. Both have the same type of insulation and heavy-duty jacket, and in many instances are interchangeable. The exception is Type G-GC cable, which has a separate ground check wire to detect for ground wire faults. 

Single Conductor Cables

Diesel locomotive cable (DLO) is similar to Type W single conductor cable, except it has greater flexibility due to a higher number of conductor strands. Other than that, key specifications are similar, including the maximum voltage rating of 2000V.

Type W vs SOOW Cable

Type W and SOOW cables are both designed for heavy-duty and portable applications, but they cater to slightly different environments and requirements. Both cables are robust, with excellent resistance to oil, chemicals, and water, making them suitable for industrial settings. However, Type W cable is generally more rugged, featuring thicker insulation and a higher voltage rating of up to 2,000V AC or DC, which makes it ideal for high-power demands and harsher environments like mining and construction sites. In contrast, SOOW cable is rated up to 600V, and its more flexible design is better suited for a wider range of general applications, including tools, equipment, and portable lights. While Type W cable offers greater durability and higher voltage capabilities, SOOW cable provides superior flexibility and is more versatile for various indoor and outdoor applications.

Type W Cable Specification

Type W Cable Approvals

• UL Type W (2,000 volts, all types)
• UL Dual Rated RHH/RHW (single conductor only 600 volts)
• MSHA flame test
• UL flame test
• ICEA S-75-381/NEMA WC-58
• CSA approval
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) approval

Contact our sales or support representatives for help selecting the right Type W cable.