Applications

The UL1007 hook up wire is most commonly used in the internal wiring of house hold appliances as well as home electronic devices. It can also be used for electronic lead wire, and more. These wires can be bought in sizes 10 awg to 28 awg. These are the most basic forms of hook up wire available. Hook up wires such as the UL1007 can also be used in wire harness assemblies.

Characteristics

This UL wire is approved to be able to handle 300 volts of electricity. The wire is made with a PVC insulation. UL1007 is a single conductor lead wire. These wires can handle temperatures reaching as high as 105°C or as low as -40°C. UL1007 and UL1569 wires are made with a stranded tinned copper conductor. These UL hook up wires come a variety of 10 different colors for customers to choose from. Customers also have the option of buying this king of hook up wire with a solid copper conductor.

UL1007/UL1569 Ratings

Both the UL1007 and the UL1569 wires are rated to be able to handle the same 300 volts of electricity. Considering the wires are dual rated there is nothing different about the wires. The ratings however do have one slight difference. That difference is their temperature rating; the UL1007 rated wires are typically able to handle temperatures only as high as 80°C. Then the UL1569 wires can handle temperatures reaching as high as 105°C. When the wire is dual rated with both UL1007 and UL1569 however it takes on the higher temperature rating.

Wires that have the UL rating have been tested and proven to work at their maximum voltage and temperature rating by a third party. This gives the customer a more secure feeling when buying a product. This is also the reason that the UL numbers have become so popular in the hook up wire industry.

Written by: WesBell Electronics, Inc.

Bare Copper

Bare copper can come in many forms. There is solid bare copper, as well as stranded bare copper. The stranded copper is usually much easier to bend than the solid copper. This bare copper is most commonly used as ground wire. It can also be found as a ground wire in other cables such as Romex, UFB, and MC cables.

Tinned Copper

Tinned copper can be used in settings where the wire is going to be constantly exposed to moisture. The tin on the copper strands are meant to help hold the strands together and prevent them from fraying. The tin also helps the copper to be non-corrosive which is why the wire can handle moisture so well.

Purchasing

Before purchasing bare or tinned copper, you want to look at where you intend to use the wire first. Then consider which wire would best suit your needs. When looking to purchase the wire, look at how much you need as well. Some vendors will let you buy the wire at custom lengths while others will not. Usually you can buy this kind of wire by the meter or by the spool. Prices also vary depending on who your vendor is so you might want to check out multiple vendors and compare prices before making a purchase. And finally check to make sure that your vendor is credible. You want to make sure that the wire you’re about to purchase is going to meet the standards set by the NEC.

Just to reiterate these wires should be used for ground wire and above head wiring only. It is not safe to have an electric current running through these wires in a place where people can accidentally or easily touch the wires. Also make sure before purchasing the wire that you check out all of your vendor options before making a decision.

Written by: WesBell Electronics

THHN

THHN wire is the most common kind of electrical wire used today. Now a days you can find that most THHN wire is dual rated and can also be called THWN. This kind of dual rated wire is known more commonly as the universal building wire. THHN stands for thermoplastic insulation, heat resistant, high heat resistant, and nylon coating. The temperature rating on the THHN wire is up to 75°C for heat resistance and 90°C for high heat resistance. These wires are also approved to handle up to 600 volts of electricity.

THWN

There is only one difference between the THHN wire and the THWN wire. That difference is that the THWN wire is water, gas and oil resistance. This wire still has the same insulation, nylon coating, and the same heat resistance. The THWN wire is temperature rated to be able to handle heat as high as 75°C. But again most of the THHN and THWN wires are made to be dual rated and are considered to be universal building wire.

TFFN

The TFFN wire is a little bit different than both the THHN and the THWN wires. This wire does however still have the same thermoplastic insulation and the same nylon coating. The only differences are that the TFFN wire is flexible and fixture. This kind of wire does not have the same heat resistance as the THHN and THWN; it also is not a good wire to use in wet conditions.  The TFFN wire also only comes in sizes 16 AWG and 18 AWG. Anything bigger in size than the 18 gauge wire will become a THHN or THWN dual rated wire.

A very common question a lot of wire and cable distributors get it whether or not this kind of wire can be used for electric dog fencing. It cannot. It is not approved for underground use even in conduit. Typically most of the applications for this wire are running power from the electrical box up to a light switch or outlets throughout the home. All these variations of wire are UL approved, RoHS and REACH compliant.

Written by: WesBell Electronics Inc.