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TECHNICAL GUIDE
FAQs
1. What are the salient differences between Copper and
Aluminum conductor?
2. Do solid conductors have better conductivity than the
stranded ones?
3. What is the importance of insulation in wires and cables?
4. What are to be considered in selecting wires and cables?
5. How to properly specify an order for wires and cables?
6. What are the commonly used lighting and fixtures wire for
residential, commercial,
and industrial installation?
7. What is the importance of colored insulation?
8. What type of wire is used for extension purposes?
9. What is the recommended wire for outdoor wiring?
10. What are the general characteristics of a safe wire?

1. What are the salient differences between Copper and Aluminum conductor?

Copper is the commonly used conductor. It has higher conductivity and heavier compared to Aluminum,
and usually costs more. Although Aluminum has lower cost, greater size or cables of Aluminum is
needed to match the conductivity offered by copper. Either way the cost offsets.

2. Do solid conductors have better conductivity than the stranded ones?

Yes to a certain extent, although the variation is considered to be negligible.

The choice would depend on the level of flexibility needed in the application of wires and cables.
Stranded conductors are more flexible and are more preferred when applied to winding installation. Due
to its lower flexibility, solid conductors are usually produced in smaller sizes, e.g. 8 AWG sizes and
lower.

3. What is the importance of insulation in wires and cables?

The electrical properties of the wires are significantly influenced by the insulation. High-frequency
communication cables, for example, would have Polyethylene (PE) as insulation because the
capacitance and attenuation are minimal if this type of thermoplastic were used. On top of the wire and
cable application, factors such us heat and flame resistance; moisture resistance; mechanical
toughness; resistance to ionization; flexibility; and the usage life determine the insulation. The other
insulation can be XLPE (chemically cross-linked PE Compound), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and
Ethylene-Propylene (EP) Rubber.

4. What are to be considered in selecting wires and cables?

In selecting a wire, the following should be considered:

Installation - the area of installation whether indoor, underground, outdoor or aerial is critical in the
choice of wire because the exposures to various elements may affect the performance and safety of the
wire. This is where the characteristics of insulation play an important part.

Voltage Rating - determines the size of the conductor, and the thickness and type of insulation.

Conductor Size the current load, KVA load, and kilowatt load are governed by voltage drop besides
the heating and power factors. These must be known before the conductor size can be determined.

Ampacity Limitation the maximum current a wire or cable can safely carry without exceeding the
capacity of the insulation or jacketed material.

External Condition - the presence of other sources of heat located in the installation, such as pipes,
corrosive agents, structural materials, and other cables can cause increase in the temperature of wire.

5. How to properly specify an order for wires and cables?

In ordering wires and cables, the following should be specified:

Type of Wire
Size
Number of Conductor (for Multicore)
Voltage Rating
Type of Insulation
Insulation thickness (Insulation Level for Power Cable)
Type of Protective Covering
Type of Conductor

a.) Copper/Aluminum
b.) Solid or Stranded

Total length/individual cutting length

6. What are the commonly used lighting and fixtures wire for residential, commercial, and
industrial installation?

TW, THW, THHN/THWN wires are most commonly used for lighting and fixture purposes.

7. What is the importance of colored insulation?

The color of the insulation serves as a guide in circuit indentification and for easy wiring connection.

8. What type of wire is used for extension purposes?

Duracord and Duplex Cord (SPT) are used for extension purposes.

9. What is the recommended wire for outdoor wiring?

For outdoor wiring, use PE insulated wire because of its weather-resistant characteristics. On the other
hand, it is recommended to use PVC insulated wire for its flame retardant properties for indoor wiring.

10. What are the general characteristics of a safe wire?

A safe wire must have the following characteristics:

Right conductor size

Proper thickness of insulation
Virgin copper with 99.9% conductivity for copper wiring
Pure plastic insulation
Must have passed stringent quality control

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Wire Specification
THERMOPLASTIC WIRE (TW) , 600 VOLTS, 60C

THERMOPLASTIC HEAT- AND MOISTURE- RESISTANT WIRE (THW), 600 VOLTS, 75 C

THERMOPLASTIC HEAT- AND MOISTURE- RESISTANT WIRE WITH

NYLON JACKET (THHN/THWN), 600 VOLTS, 90 C
THERMOPLASTIC WIRE (TW) , 600 VOLTS, 60C

Approximate
No. & Nominal Wall Ampacity Nominal Sta
Size of Conductor Overall
Dia. of Wire Thickness 60 C Weight Le
Diameter
Approximate
MM Size MM MM KG/KM
AWG Size
Solid
1.6 mm 14 0.80 3.2 20 26.63 150
2.0 mm 12 0.80 3.6 25 38.13 150
2.6 mm 10 1.00 4.6 30 63.60 150
3.2 mm 8 1.20 5.6 40 95.54 150
Stranded
2.0 mm2 14 7 x 0.60 mm 0.80 3.4 20 27.97 150
3.5 mm2 12 7 x 0.80 mm 0.80 4.0 25 44.57 150
5.5 mm2 10 7 x 1.00 mm 1.00 5.0 30 69.63 150
8.0 mm2 8 7 x 1.20 mm 1.20 6.0 40 100.23 150
14 mm2 6 7 x 1.60 mm 1.60 8.0 55 178.33 150
22 mm2 4 7 x 2.00 mm 1.60 9.2 70 261.08 150
30 mm2 2 7 x 2.30 mm 1.60 10.1 95 333.95 150
38 mm2 1-19 19 x 1.60 mm 2.00 12.0 110 450.69 300
50 mm2 1/0-19 19 x 1.80 mm 2.00 13.0 125 547.31 300
60 mm2 2/0-19 19 x 2.00 mm 2.00 14.0 145 661.13 300
80 mm2 3/0-19 19 x 2.30 mm 2.00 15.5 165 852.87 300
100 mm2 4/0-19 19 x 2.60 mm 2.00 17.0 195 1069.28 300
125 mm2 250 MCM 37 x 2.10 mm 2.40 19.5 215 1369.56 300
150 mm2 300 MCM 37 x 2.30 mm 2.40 20.9 240 1621.78 300
350 MCM 37 x 2.47 mm 2.40 22.1 260 1849.46 300
200 mm2 400 MCM 37 x 2.60 mm 2.40 23.0 280 2038.94 300
250 mm2 500 MCM 61 x 2.30 mm 2.40 25.5 320 2601.35 300
600 MCM 61 x 2.52 mm 2.40 27.5 355 3085.23 300
325 mm2 650 MCM 61 x 2.60 mm 2.80 29.0 370 3327.30 300
750 MCM 61 x 2.82 mm 2.80 30.9 400 3874.02 300
400 mm2 800 MCM 61 x 2.90 mm 2.80 31.7 410 4092.44 300
500 mm2 1000 MCM 61 x 3.20 mm 2.80 34.4 455 4936.07 300

THERMOPLASTIC HEAT- AND MOISTURE- RESISTANT WIRE (THW), 600 VOLTS, 75 C

Approximate
No. & Nominal Wall Ampacity Nominal Stand
Size of Conductor Overall
Dia. of Wire Thickness 75 C Weight Leng
Diameter
Approximate
MM Size MM MM KG/KM
AWG Size
Solid
1.6 mm 14 1.20 4.0 20 32.66 150 m
2.0 mm 12 1.20 4.4 25 44.82 150 m
2.6 mm 10 1.20 5.0 35 67.27 150 m
3.2 mm 8 1.60 6.4 50 105.27 150 m
Stranded
2.0 mm2 14 7 x 0.60 mm 1.20 4.2 20 34.31 150 m
3.5 mm2 12 7 x 0.80 mm 1.20 4.8 25 51.86 150 m
5.5 mm2 10 7 x 1.00 mm 1.20 5.4 35 73.51 150 m
8.0 mm2 8 7 x 1.20 mm 1.60 6.8 50 110.49 150 m
14 mm2 6 7 x 1.60 mm 1.60 8.0 65 176.55 150 m
22 mm2 4 7 x 2.00 mm 1.60 9.2 85 258.98 150 m
30 mm2 2 7 x 2.30 mm 1.60 10.1 115 331.46 150 m
38 mm2 1-19 19 x 1.60 mm 2.00 12.0 130 447.00 300 m
50 mm2 1/0-19 19 x 1.80 mm 2.00 13.0 150 543.44 300 m
60 mm2 2/0-19 19 x 2.00 mm 2.00 14.0 175 656.85 300 m
80 mm2 3/0-19 19 x 2.30 mm 2.00 15.5 200 847.90 300 m
100 mm2 4/0-19 19 x 2.60 mm 2.00 17.0 230 1063.71 300 m
125 mm2 250 MCM 37 x 2.10 mm 2.40 19.5 255 1362.26 300 m
150 mm2 300 MCM 37 x 2.30 mm 2.40 20.9 285 1613.79 300 m
350 MCM 37 x 2.47 mm 2.40 22.1 310 1840.86 300 m
200 mm2 400 MCM 37 x 2.60 mm 2.40 23.0 335 2029.87 300 m
250 mm2 500 MCM 61 x 2.30 mm 2.40 25.5 380 2590.95 300 m
600 MCM 61 x 2.52 mm 2.40 27.5 420 3073.95 300 m
325 mm2 650 MCM 61 x 2.60 mm 2.80 29.0 435 3288.51 300 m
750 MCM 61 x 2.82 mm 2.80 30.9 475 3859.40 300 m
400 mm2 800 MCM 61 x 2.90 mm 2.80 31.7 490 4077.32 300 m
500 mm2 1000 MCM 61 x 3.20 mm 2.80 34.4 545 4919.24 300 m
THERMOPLASTIC HEAT- AND MOISTURE- RESISTANT WIRE WITH
NYLON JACKET (THHN/THWN), 600 VOLTS, 90 C

Approximate
No. & Nominal Nominal Standard
Size of Conductor Wall Thickness Overall Ampacity
Dia. of Wire Weight Length
Diameter
Approximate
MM Size MM MM 75 C 90 C KG/KM
AWG Size
Solid PVC Nylon WET DRY
1.6 mm 14 0.40 0.10 2.60 20 25 22.52 150 m
2.0 mm 12 0.40 0.10 3.00 25 30 33.46 150 m
2.6 mm 10 0.50 0.10 3.80 35 40 55.70 150 m
3.2 mm 8 0.80 0.13 5.06 50 55 88.40 150 m
Stranded
2.0 mm2 14 7 x 0.60 mm 0.40 0.10 2.80 20 25 23.57 150 m
3.5 mm2 12 7 x 0.80 mm 0.40 0.10 3.40 25 30 39.29 150 m
5.5 mm2 10 7 x 1.00 mm 0.50 0.10 4.20 35 40 60.93 150 m
8.0 mm2 8 7 x 1.20 mm 0.80 0.13 5.46 50 55 92.49 150 m
14 mm2 6 7 x 1.60 mm 0.80 0.13 6.66 65 75 155.06 150 m
22 mm2 4 7 x 2.00 mm 1.00 0.15 8.30 85 95 241.69 150 m
30 mm2 2 7 x 2.30 mm 1.00 0.15 9.20 115 130 312.50 150 m
38 mm2 1-19 19 x 1.60 mm 1.30 0.18 10.96 130 150 400.37 300 m
50 mm2 1/0-19 19 x 1.80 mm 1.30 0.18 11.96 150 170 514.96 300 m
60 mm2 2/0-19 19 x 2.00 mm 1.30 0.18 12.96 175 195 626.12 300 m
80 mm2 3/0-19 19 x 2.30 mm 1.30 0.18 14.46 200 225 813.86 300 m
100 mm2 4/0-19 19 x 2.60 mm 1.30 0.18 15.96 230 260 1026.25 300 m
125 mm2 250 MCM 37 x 2.10 mm 1.60 0.18 18.26 255 290 1313.25 300 m
150 mm2 300 MCM 37 x 2.30 mm 1.60 0.20 19.70 285 320 1561.19 300 m
350 MCM 37 x 2.47 mm 1.60 0.20 20.89 310 350 1782.98 300 m
200 mm2 400 MCM 37 x 2.60 mm 1.60 0.20 21.80 335 380 1971.93 300 m
250 mm2 500 MCM 61 x 2.30 mm 1.60 0.20 24.30 380 430 2526.66 300 m
325 mm2 650 MCM 61 x 2.60 mm 1.80 0.23 27.46 435 470 3219.48 300 m
400 mm2 800 MCM 61 x 2.90 mm 1.80 0.23 30.16 490 555 3974.06 300 m
500 mm2 1000 MCM 61 x 3.20 mm 1.80 0.23 32.86 545 615 4807.12 300 m
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