Electrical Wire Terms & Definitions
Understanding SOW, SEOW, SOOW, Type W Cable and More
Wire Industry Terms & Definitions
AWG
Abbreviation for American Wire Gauge. The first number in the product description (e.g., 12/3).
Type S
Heavy duty, rubber-insulated portable cord. Standard copper conductors with separator and individual rubber insulation. Two or more color-coded conductors cabled with filler, wrapped with separator and rubber jacketed overall 600V.
Type SEO
Same construction as STO, except insulation and jacket are made of Thermoplastic Elastomer Rubber (TPE) 600V.
Type SEOW
Same construction as SEO, except suitable for outdoor use. Usually UL listed for continuous submersion in water 600V.
Type SJ
Junior hard service rubber-insulated pendant or portable cord. Same construction as SJT except insulation and jacket is thermoset 300V.
Type SJEOW
Same construction as SEOW except 300 volt rated.
Type SEOOW
Same construction as SEOW, but inner conductor insulation as well as the outer jacket is oil resistant.
Type SJO
Same as SJ, but oil-resistant outer jacket. Can also be made "water resistant." 300V.
Type SJOOW
Same as SOOW except 300 volt rated.
Type SO
Hard service cord. Same construction as type S, except oil-resistant jacket. 600V.
Type SOW
Same as SO except suitable for outdoor use.
Type SOOW
Same as SOW but inner conductor insulation as well as the outer jacket is oil resistant.
Water Resistant
UL designation for cords that have an insulation on the individual conductors that passes UL requirements (e.g., ST Water Resistant).
W (CSA)
CSA Weather and Water resistant Designation for outdoor listed flexible cord that is tested against sunlight requirements (e.g., SOW, SEOW). Do not confuse with mining cable Type "W".
Type W
An industry designation for a 2kV portable power cable, double jacket, consisting of 1-6 insulated conductors. For use in mines and similar severe duty applications. UL listed, MSHA approved, recognized in NEC article 400, OSHA approved.
Type SC (Stage Cable)
Stage and lighting cable or Entertainment Cable. Single Jacket 600V rated. For portable power and lighting applications for the entertainment industry, carnivals, amusement parks, stage and lighting. Recognized NEC Article 520 & 530.
MSHA
Mine Safety Health Administration - An agency of the US department of labor.
Type PPE
PPE cable has a jacket made from Polypropylene Ethylene / Thermoplastic Elastomer. Lighter in weight than Type W, performs well in warm climates but becomes more rigid below 32°F. UL listed, MSHA approved, recognized in NEC article 400.
Wire Gauge & Conductor
The first number refers to the wire gauge, the following number refers to the number of conductors.
Example: 12/3 — the first number "12" is the gauge, the second number "3" is the number of conductors.
Flexible Portable Power Cable Terms & Definitions
S = 600 Volt Service Cord (First recognized by UL)
J = Junior Service - 300 Volt
T = Thermoplastic
E = Elastomer (Looks and feels like rubber, but is actually a thermoplastic)
O = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket
OO = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil Resistant Insulation
W-A = Weather Approved (e.g., SEOW-A)
Portable power cable or portable cord is a flexible cable with two or more conductors used for temporary power connections. Applications include carnivals, amusement rides, stage and lighting, mining cable, industrial machinery, contractor and construction sites, motors, heavy duty tools, and extension cords. Ideal for heavy-duty indoor and outdoor applications.
SOW, SEOW or Type W
SOW, SOOW, SEOW, SEOOW are considerably lighter, easier to work with and less expensive to purchase than Type W. On the other hand, Type W is more crush resistant, will tolerate much more abuse and is capable of carrying more current.
Am I required to use a Type W? Many people are surprised to find out the answer may be no. Check with your local inspection department to be certain.
What Exactly is Elastomer?
"A class of long-chain polymers capable of being crosslinked to produce elastic compounds, e.g., polychloroprene and ethylene propylene rubber."
"A material which at room temperature stretches under low stress to at least twice its length and snaps back to original length upon release of stress."
"A material that exhibits very low or zero crystallinity and a high degree of flexibility."
SEOW has been evolving ever since its conception. SEOW is noticeably lighter and easier to work with than SOW and stays cleaner longer. Most people who have used SEOW prefer it over SOW or at least equally as well.
At National Supply, we stock SEOW and SOW wire — if you have a preference, please let us know.
Need Help Choosing the Right Wire?
Call our knowledgeable sales staff for expert advice!
(920) 435-6500
(800) 726-8044
sales@nationalsupplyonline.com