3 Sizes of Solid THHN Electrical Wire
THHN electrical wire is used for general purpose electrical wiring that is in accordance with the NEC. The maximum temperature that this THHN wire can handle is 90°C if the wire is being used in a dry location. That temperature is lowered to 75°C if the environment where the cable is being used is wet. The wires are intended to be used for the wiring of machine tools, appliances and control circuits that are not going to be exceeding 600 volts. The THHN wire also comes in a wide range of sizes from 18 AWG up to a 600 MCM size wire. The three sizes that have the option of coming in a solid conductor are the 14 AWG, the 12 AWG and the 10 AWG.
14 AWG
The THHN electrical wire is also known as the three circuit sizes of electrical wire. They are rated to be able to handle 15 AMPS. These wires are made either with a stranded or a solid copper conductor. The THHN wires also can be made with the CSA approval upon a customer’s request.
12 AWG
All three are very similar besides the AMP levels. The copper gets slightly thicker for each wire so it can handle more each time. So for instance the 12 AWG size THHN wire is able to handle 20 AMPS instead of the 15 AMPS the 14 AWG size wire can handle because the copper in the wire is slightly thicker.
10 AWG
Spools come in a standard 100’, 500’, or 1000’. But most whole sellers or manufacturers will cut the wire to length for you. Regularly there are 10 color options available for customers to be able to choose from. This kind of wire is the most commonly used type of single conductor wire used in the industry. It is considered to be a universal building wire now.
Each letter of the THHN wire stands for a specific feature of the wire. T is for the thermoplastic insulation. H is for heat resistant and high heat resistant. And the N stands for the nylon coating around the wire. No matter what size THHN wire you buy they all come in the same insulation as well as jacket. The insulation is made out of PVC, which is common for electrical wire. They also have a nylon jacket wrapped around them for added protection. These wires also are resistant to gasoline as well as oil. The wires can be used both indoors and outdoors and also in conduit. However they cannot be used for direct burial applications.
Written by: WesBell Wire and Cable