Im planning on doing some major re wiring on my boat over the winter. As its name implies it is a good general purpose automotive wire.
Blue 12 Gauge Primary Wire 100 Ft Spool
Automotive wire vs thhn. It features a multi stranded core and flexible insulation making it ideal for pulling through tight spaces. As always the decision between using thhn or xhhw comes down to weighing performance versus budget. It is usually rated to 80ºc 176ºf. Lead free thin wall automotive wire rated to 105 degrees celsius. Thwn is a code for thermoplastic heat and water resistant which is suitable for use in both dry and wet locations with a maximum temperature rating of 75ºc 167ºf. Thhn is a code for thermoplastic high heat resistant nylon coated wire which is allowed for use in dry to damp location and rated for a maximum temperature of 90ºc 194ºf.
Although some is also rated to 105ºc 221ºf. This is the most common wire you find at auto stores. This insulation can be melted with a heat source changing the form. Our customers often express that the more popular and less expensive thhn wire is perfectly suitable for what they need. Its been a really long time since ive put that much thought towards the math of it all so if someone wants to double check my numbers please do. A friend and i have been arguing about whether there is a difference between automotive wire and marine grade wire.
Thwn is considered an evolution of thhn although both are still widely used. Thhn and other types of stranded wire is rated to be used in situations where the wire does not move during use automotive wire uses much finer stranded wire that allows many more movement cycles before wire fatigue and breaking of the strands. The most common type of insulation used for simple parts store wire is a thhn thermoplastic high heat resistant nylon a pvc covered wire mostly used in the industrial and housing markets. Mtw and thhn can both feature a bare copper conductor however thhn is available with an aluminum conductor depending on size and mtw wire is available with a tinned copper conductor. This thermoplastic heat and water resistant nylon coated wire is designed to operate in the same environments as thhn without the addition of installation accessories for use in harsher environments. 1gpt or primary wire.
Pvc is insulation is extruded and created by heating pvc and then extruding it through a die on the stranding. Is all wire the same for a given size no matter whether its intended for marine or land use. On the other hand xhhw has the additional features that provide increased efficiency and extended longevity. Heavy wall automotive wiring rated to 80 degrees celsius. Entering the known numbers for the 4awg thhn wire it says it can handle 51000 watts 600v 85a 51000w. At the core mtw offers a higher strand count in the conductor making it more flexible than thhn which also features a nylon coating that further restricts movement.
Its counterpart is called thwn or thwn 2.
Gallery of Automotive Wire Vs Thhn
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