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If you work anything like we do around here, you’ve probably gotten into the habit of using all the wire acronyms in the book, but may not have spent a ton of time reflecting on what they mean in a while.
Well, we opened up our old manuals again to refresh our memories, and thought we’d remind everyone else while we were at it.
Wire Insulation Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| T | Thermoplastic Insulation |
| H | 75°C |
| HH | 90°C |
| N | Nylon Jacket |
| W | Moisture Resistant |
| R | Rubber Insulation |
| SE | Service Entrance |
| U | Suitable for Underground Use |
| USE | Underground Service Entrance |
| UF | Underground Feeder |
| -2 | Can handle 90°C and Wet conditions |
| XLP(E) | Cross-linked Polyethylene (PE) |
Let’s test it out:
RHW: Rubber insulated, moisture resistant, good up to 75°C
USE-2: Underground Service Entrance wire that can stand wet environments up to 90°C
XHHW: Cross-linked polyethylene insulation, moisture resistant and good up to 90°C in dry environments
Photo credit: Tom Magliery
