Wire Abbreviations
Wire Abbreviations
Wire Abbreviations
AF Asbestos 302F. Fixture wire,18-10 Awg. Heat resistant,With some moisture resistant types.300v. Max.
Bell wire usually low voltage, usually of 18awg. No rubber used, just 2 layers of cotton twisted in opposite directions.
Two or more stranded wires with flexible insulation for temporary use. Thermoset or Thermoplastic, Dry Use
Only. Rough service wire, but not as nice looking as PO. Twice as thick in insulation but similar to PO with
C silk or Rayon top layer. Usually a yellow / green braided jacket, Green and Yellow Cord. No outer jacket to
wires, just twisted single strands. Lamp Cord, 2 or more 18-10Awg. (Now is Thermoset or thermoplastic
insulation with outer cotton cover.) Pendant and portable use, not hard usage in dry locations.
DBRC Old Household, double braided rubber coated wire with cotton braid. Weather and fire resistant.
Elevator Cable, 2 or more, 20-2 Awg. Conductors, Thermoset, 3 layer cotton braided with flexible Flame
retardant and Moisture Resistant Nylon jacket. For Elevator Lighting and Control in non-hazardous locations.
E
Can incorporate 20 Awg Communications cable and or optical fibers within covering, and be permitted to be
supported thru- center of insulation. L.S Designation = Limited Smoke flame retardant.
EO Elevator Cable, Same as Above with one type available for Hazardous locations.
ETP Same as E with Rayon Braided Conductors and for Hazardous Classified Locations.
Electric Vehicle Cord. 18 - 500 KCMil. Awg. Two or more conductors, plus grounding conductors and optional
hybrid data or signal communications and optional fiberoptic cables. Thermoset with optional nylon insulation
EV
and optional braiding. Thermoset outer covering. For electric vehicle charging in wet locations and for extra hard
use.
EVE Same as EV cord, but with thermoplastic Elastomer insulation and coverings.
FCC Flat Copper Conductors, edge to edge for carpet, and under flooring.
FEP Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene Insulation, Rated over 194F. Dry only.
FEPB Same as FeP, but with glass braid or Asbestos type outer covering. 392F. Dry only.
FFH-2 Heat resistant rubber coated fixture wire, flexible strands, 167F.Rubber coated and latex rubber coated types.
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Wire Abbreviations & Descriptions Page 2 of 6
8Awg to 500 KCMil., 2-6 conductors plus Grounding Conductors. Portable Thermoset, Oil Res., Extra Hard Use.
G
Stage and Garage Cable.
HF ECTFE Solid or 7 stranded. 18-14 Awg. Ethylene Chloro trifluoroethylene. 302F. Fixture wire.
Heater Cord 18-12 Awg., 2 to 4 conductors. Dry Use Only. Thermoset or Thermoset with Asbestos covered
HPD
wires instead of cotton, but similar to type C. Covered with cotton or Rayon. Not Hard usage.B31
HPN Heater Cord, 18-12 Awg., 2 to 3 Conductors. Wet use, Light Duty Only. Oil resistant Thermoset. Non twisted.
Heater Cord, 14-12 Awg., 2 to 4 Conductors. Thermoset insulation with cotton or Thermoset Outer Covering,
HS
Extra Hard Usage.
HSO Same as HS. with Oil Resistance Outer covering, Extra Hard Usage.
HSOO Same as HS. But with oil resistant Thermoset insulators, and oil resistant covering, Extra Hard Usage.
HSJOO Same as HSOO but Hard Usage only and 18-12 Awg. Available.
KFF-1- and
Stranded KF wire, note: -1- designates 300v. Max.
KFF-2
L Lead Jacket.
Mineral Insulated, Metal Shielded cable. Magnesium Oxide, 194F or 482F., Dry or wet locations, with copper
MI
or Alloy Steel outer covering. Mineral insulated and Metal Shielded.
Moisture, Heat and Oil Res. Flame Retardant Thermoplastic. Machine tool wiring in wet locations 140F. Or
MTW
196F. In dry locations with Nylon or Equivalent Jacket.
N Extruded Nylon or Thermoplastic Polyester, Tough and Very Resistant to Gas and Oil.
NM Romex, Non-Metallic cable with paper wrapping between conductors and plastic sheeting.
Rough Service appliance vacuum cleaner type cord. Flexible but like type C, coated in rubber like POSJ,
P
encasing both strands with an appearance fabric outside layer.
Perfluroalkoxy, Solid or 7 strand, 482F. Fixture wire, 18-14 Awg. nickel or nickel coated copper fixture wire.
PAF
See PFA wire.
18-10 Awg. Thermoset or Thermoplastic Insulation Cotton braiding and Cotton or Rayon outer covering.
PD
Pendant or Portable Wiring, Dry Locations, Not Hard Usage. Twisted Portable Cord.
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Wire Abbreviations & Descriptions Page 3 of 6
PF Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, fixture wire, solid or seven stranded 392F. 18-14 Awg. Fixture wire.
PFA Perfluorglkoxy, 194F. For dry and damp conditions. See PAF wire.
PGF Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, Glass Braided. 392F. Solid or seven stranded. 18-14 Awg. Fixture Wire.
Lamp cord with outer layer of silk or Rayon. Wires not Twisted but Parallel. Cotton yarn wrapping round twisted
PO strands; Insulators of rubber on top of cotton, which insulates rubber from sticking to strands making it more
flexible. Cotton layer atop Rubber, with Rayon or silk jacket enclosing two wires in parallel.
New Replacement for PO using a rubber jacket encasing both wires, and does not fray like fabric wires, can
POSJ
be washed.
Garage use Portable Power Cable, 8 - 500 KCMil. With 1 - 6 conductors plus ground conductors. Thermoplastic
PPE Elastomer Insulation, with Oil Resistant Thermoplastic Elastomer Outer Covering. Portable Extra Hard Use.
Rated for Stage and
Extruded Polytetra Fluoroethylene, solid or seven stranded, 18-14 Awg. 482F. Nickel or Nickel coated copper
PTF
fixture wire.
Heat Resistant, Rubber Coated, 167F. 18 Awg. 300v. Fixture wire, solid or seven stranded. Also type NMT
RFH-1
Fixture wire.
Heat Resistant, RFH wire, 18-16 Awg. 600v. with Latex Rubber or rubber coating. Otherwise the same as RFH-
RFH-2
1
(LS) Limited Smoke Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant Cross linked synthetic polymer insulated fixture wire.
RFHH-2 Solid or stranded 18-16 Awg. and cross linked synthetic polymer with out jacket. No cover or NMT 194F. Multi
conductor cable, and fixture wire.
Thermoset, 167F. Dry and Damp only, Flame Retardant, and Moisture Resistant. Best Quality, Better than RH
RH
and RP wire. For Factories and like. Moisture Res. & Flame Retardant non-metallic Covering.
RHH Thermoset, 194F. Dry and Damp only, Flame Retardant, and Moisture Resistant.
RWH Flame, Ozone and Moisture Resistant, 167F. For dry and wet locations over 2,000 volts.
RWH-2 194F. Continuous Temperature Thermoset. For Dry and Damp locations.
Hard Service Cord with two or more stranded conductors 18 - 2 Awg. with a serving of woven cotton between
the copper and the Thermoset insulation. Jute or other fillers are twisted together with the conductors to make
S
a round assembly. Outer jacket of high quality rubber or modern Thermoset. For Portable or Pendant, damp
locations. Extra Hard Use. Stage and Garage Use.
Silicone Rubber or Silicone Asbestos, 194F. For dry and Damp Areas. Silicone Rubber insulation with Glass or
SA
other Braided covering. (392F. Special Applications)
SBRC Old Household, Single Braided rubber covered with cotton braid.
SC
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Wire Abbreviations & Descriptions Page 4 of 6
NEC designation for Entertainment Industry and Stage Lighting Cable; rated 600 volts 8 Awg - 250 KCMil. 1 or
more Conductors. Extra Hard Usage. Thermoset insulation and outer covering.
SCE Same as SC, with PVC or Thermoplastic Elastomer Insulation and outer covering.
SCT Same as SC, with TPE based thermoplastic Insulation and outer covering.
Flame Retardant and Moisture Resistant, Hard Service Cord. 18 -2 Awg. 2 or more conductors, Use
SE
Underground, stage and Garage and not Fire Resistant. Thermoplastic Elastomer Insulation and outer covering.
Switchboard wire 194F. Thermoplastic Flame Resistant for Switchboards. Synthetic Heat resistant Rubber. Dry
SIS
only.
Same as S-Cord, with Lighter Jacket 18-10 Awg. 2-5 Conductors, Thermoset Insulation and outer jacket. Junior
SJ
Hard service Cord.
SJE Same as SJ, with Thermoplastic Elastomer Insulation and outer covering.
SJO Same as SJ But with Oil Resistant outer covering. Same as SO cord, with an even lighter jacket.
SJT Same as SJ cord, except with outer jacket and insulation of (thermoplastic) Materials.
Silicone Rubber NMT, 392F. -1\" is 18 Awg. 300v. -2\" is 16-18 Awg. 600v. Solid or seven stranded. Fixture
SF 1or 2
wire.
Cord, same as S cord, thermoset insulation with an oil resistant jacket of neoprene or similar material
SO
thermoset. Rated for stage and garage use.
Synthetic rubber wire re-named type T, in 1947 from original 1940 code designation thermoplastic insulation,
SN
with no cotton required, not cold resistant.
All Thermoset Parallel cord 20 -18 Awg, 2or3 Conductor. Pendant or portable use, Damp Locations, Not Hard
SP-1
Use. Not twisted.
SP-3 Same as SP-1 But 18-10 Awg. For Refrigerators, Room Air Conditioners.
All Elastomer, (Thermoplastic) Parallel Cord. 20-18 Awg. 2 or 3 Conductors. Otherwise same as SP-1 to 3
SPE
Cord.
Zip Cord, Fixture Cord, 2 or 3 wire Stranded, Designated by gauge and number of wires. Eg: 18-3\" is 18
SPT
gauge 3-wire. Thermoplastic Insulation. Otherwise same as Sp-1 to 3 cord.
Range or Dryer Cable. 10- 4 Awg. 3 or 4 conductors. Thermoset insulation and outer covering. Portable for
SRD
damp locations. 3-Conductor versions are not twisted.
SRDE Same as SRD cable but Thermoplastic Elastomer insulation and outer covering.
SRDT Same as SRD cable but with Thermoplastic insulation and outer covering.
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Wire Abbreviations & Descriptions Page 5 of 6
ST Same as S cord, except with outer jacket of (thermoplastic) Materials. 18-2 Awg. 2 or more Conductors. Rated
for Stage and Garage Use.
Same as SJ Cord, with an even Lighter Jacket. Vacuum cleaner cord. 18-16 Awg. 2 or 3 conductors. Thermoset
SV
insulation and covering. Not hard use, pendant or portable, damp locations.
SVE Same as SV cord but with Thermoplastic Elastomer insulation and covering.
SVO Same as SV cord but with Thermoset insulation and oil resistant Thermoset covering.
Wire wrapped in thermoplastic insulation for protection from below 32 to 150F. Tinsel Cord 140F,(TP, TS,
T
TPT, TST)
T-Wire with water-resistant insulation. Should not be buried directly in ground. 140 Flame Retardant, Heat and
TW
Moisture resistant thermoplastic.
TBS Thermoplastic with Fibrous outer braid, 194F. Fire Retardant (Switch Boards).
Triple Braided weather proof with no rubber used, 3 layers of water proof cotton used on single wire outdoors
TBWP
services.
T2 Thermoplastic covered fixture wire, solid or 7 stranded. 140F. 18-16 Awg. Fixture Wire.
Extended Polytetrafluoroethylene. 482F. Dry Locations only, Apparatus or Raceway lead wiring or open wiring,
TFE
Avl. With Nickel or nickel coated copper wire only.
Heat Resistant Thermoplastic covered fixture wire of solid or seven strands. 18-16 Awg. And a nylon jacket or
TFN
equivalent covering 194F.
TW-Wire 167F. With heavier heat resistant insulation. Dry and Wet Locations, Flame Retardant. (194F.
THW
Special Applications within electric discharge lighting equipment, 1,000w. open circuits or less.)
Thermoplastic 194F. Insulation with outer nylon (or equivalent) jacket Heat Resistant, Flame Retardant with
THHN
nylon or equivalent jacket. Dry and Damp Locations.
THHW Thermoplastic 167F. Wet Locations. Flame Retardant, Heat Resistant. (194F. Dry Locations.)
TFE Extruded Polytetra Fluoroethylene. 482F. Dry areas only for Apparatus and raceway wiring or open wiring.
Thermoplastic insulation, 167F. with outer nylon (or equivalent) jacket; Flame Retardant, Heat and Water
THWN
Resistant.
Flexalloy is a PVC based UHMW therrmoplastic elastomer from Teknor Apex, Vinyl Division, that is billed as
being lighter, more flexible, and more resistant to extreme cold than cable produced with conventional
compounds. Coast Wire and Plastics Technology is using it to jacket a new line of cable that they manufacture,
TPE
called FlexOLite Touring Cable. The Flexalloy compound is used for the inner insulation and for the outer jacket.
One big advantage of Flexalloy vinyl TPE for insulation and jacketing is that it weighs only half as much as
rubber, - Jim Crisman, VP of the Entertainment Div. Of Coast Wire (PLSN p77 Cable Construction, Nov. 2003.
Parallel Tinsel cord. 27 Awg. 2 conductor. Thermoplastic insulation and covering. Attached to an appliance
TPT rated at not more than 50 watts and not more than 8 feet away with a special connector, for damp locations and
not hard, but extremely flexible use. Not Twisted conductors.
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TS Jacketed Tinsel cord. 27 Awg. 2 conductor. Thermoset insulation and covering, same as TPT otherwise.
Underground Feeder and Branch Circuit Cable, 140F. a water proof version of NMC, rated for burial in the
UF
ground.
Underground Service Entrance Cable not fire resistant but high temp. Wire 167F. Replaces Lead shielded
USE cable. Heavily rubber coated, with outer covering extra water resistant, can also be type T with thermoplastic
protection.
Cord Rated 2,000 volts Extra Hard Usage; 8-500 KCMil. 1-6 conductors. Replaced welding cable as in
W acceptable stage cable until type SC was developed. Thermoset insulation with Oil Resistant Thermoset cover.
Rated for Stage and garage use.
X Crossed linked Synthetic polymer, Very Tough, Moisture and Heat Resistant. Fixture wire.
XF Same as X wire but solid or seven stranded, 302F. 300v. 18-10Awg. Cross-Linked Polyolefin.
Moisture Resistant Thermoset, 194F. For dry and Damp locations and 167F. For wet locations. Flame
XHHW
Retardant, and moisture resistant.
Dry and Damp Locations, 194F.(302F. Dry locations in special applications) Modified Ethylene
Z
Tetrafluoroethylene.
Modified ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, solid or seven stranded, 18-14 Awg. same as Z above, 302F. Fixture
ZF
Wire.
ZHF High temperature modified ETFE solid or seven stranded. 392F. 18-14 Awg. Fixture wire.
Modified Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene Wet Locations, 167F.; (194F. Dry and Damp; 302F. Dry, special
ZW
Applications).
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire*
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