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THW wire is a type of general-purpose electrical cable that is mainly composed of a conductor made of copper or aluminum and an insulation material made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). THW stands for Plastics High-temperature Weather-resistant Aerial Cable. This wire can be used not only for indoor distribution systems but also for overhead and underground cable lines, with a wide range of applications. THW wire is widely used in North America and other regions and is very popular
THW wire VS. THWN wire
THW wire, THHN wire and THWN wire are all basic single core wire products. THW wires and THWN wires are very similar in appearance and materials, but one significant difference between them is the difference in insulation and jacket materials. THW wires use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation, while THWN wires use higher grade thermoplastic polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. Compared with PVC, XLPE is superior in performance, with better water resistance and temperature resistance. Normally, the working temperature of THWN wire can reach 90°C, while that of THW wire is only 75°C, that is to say, THWN wire has stronger heat resistance.
Although both THW wires and THHN wires are composed of wires and insulation layers, the difference in insulation materials leads to their different performance in some aspects. THW wires use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, while THHN wires use high-temperature epoxy acrylic resin (THERMOPLASTIC HIGH HEAT RESISTANT NYLON), which remains stable at high temperatures. In addition, THW wires are generally softer than THHN wires to suit multiple application scenarios.
THW wires and THHN wires also differ in certification. Both UL and CSA, the two major standardization certification bodies in the United States and Canada, provide certification for THW and THHN wires. However, the certification criteria for the two are slightly different. THW wire needs to be UL certified, while THHN wire needs to meet the requirements of both UL and CSA certification agencies.
To sum up, THW wire is a widely used wire material, and its reliability and economy have become one of the preferred wire materials for the construction industry and the electrical industry. THW wire has excellent performance and can meet the needs of various occasions, bringing convenience and safety to our life and industry.
