The Ultimate Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard Guide

Each project presents unique challenges, but one electrical cable range can withstand them all — Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard. These cables ensure consistent results, even in the most demanding environments and weather conditions.

With hundreds of Alpha Wire-Xtra Guard cables available, you can easily tackle general-purpose and heavy-duty applications. We have compiled this Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard guide to help you learn more about the different cable types and their uses and benefits.

What to Know About Xtra-Guard Wire

There are six categories of Xtra-Guard cables, each designed for specific environments and applications. All cables come in 300-volt, 600-volt, shielded, unshielded, multiconductor and multipair options for maximum flexibility. Use this brief breakdown to learn about the various cables and their features.

Xtra-Guard 1

These electronic cables are suitable for general-purpose applications, such as internal or external equipment wiring. They are available in 24 to 14 American Wire Gauge sizes for even the most intricate jobs. Xtra-Guard 1 cables primarily benefit high-technology applications, including:

• Medical electronics
• Point-of-sale equipment
• Computer peripherals
• Industrial process controls

Xtra-Guard 2

Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard 2 electronic cables offer premium functionality, even when exposed to oils, fuels, solvents and water. They are durable, offering two to three times more tensile strength and abrasion resistance than polyvinyl chloride cables. In addition, the cable conductors feature semi-rigid PVC insulation and a polyurethane jacket for maximum longevity. Xtra-Guard 2 cables frequently serve the following applications:

• Computer numerical control machine centers
• Military ground support systems
• Packaging machinery
• Automotive assembly plant operations
• Petrochemical plant operations
• Geophysical exploration equipment

Xtra-Guard 3

If you require direct burial applications without the costly use of conduit, Xtra-Guard 3 cables are your best solution. These cables offer five times the water resistance of PVC cable for increased safety in water-prone environments. An ethylene-propylene copolymer jacket provides additional resistance against ultraviolet light for optimal durability. Typical applications for Xtra-Guard 3 cables include:

• Satellite communications equipment
• Inter-building communications
• Land irrigation systems
• Outdoor security systems, scoreboards and displays
• Pipeline sensor controls

Xtra-Guard 4

High and low temperatures impact cable performance, yet the Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard 4 electronic cables withstand extreme temperatures of minus 122 degrees Fahrenheit to 257 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, it provides superior resistance to oils, fuels, solvents and water. A further benefit is its low hydrogen chloride content, which ensures increased safety as it passes the 210,000 British thermal unit flame test.

Xtra-Guard 4 cables feature color-coded thermoplastic elastomer insulated conductors and a TPE jacket for improved longevity. The following applications frequently use these cables:

• Wood, pulp and paper plant operations
• Mass transit systems
• Food and beverage plants
• Mining controls and instruments
• Petrochemical process controls
• Arctic pipeline controls

Xtra-Guard 5

Xtra-Guard 5 cables consist of fluorinated ethylene propylene and polytetrafluoroethylene. These durable materials ensure optimal electrical performance in intense temperatures of minus 176 degrees Fahrenheit to 392 degrees Fahrenheit. Xtra-Guard 5 cables also resist fuels, chemicals, solvents, acids and water.

These electrical cables are 20% to 30% smaller in diameter compared to conventional cables. Coupled with a low-friction jacket, this feature allows for efficient cable routing. Xtra-Guard 5 cables feature color-coded FEP PTFE insulated conductors for increased durability and UL and CSA approvals.

Everyday uses of Xtra-Guard 5 cables include:

• Military electronic applications
• Mining instruments and controls
• Steel, glass and metal foundries
• Food and beverage plants
• Clean room environments and refinery cracker unit controls

Xtra-Guard Flexible

Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard Flexible cables come in two variants — standard-flex and continuous-flex. These electrical cables offer high-speed dependability and superior flexibility for complex cable positioning.

Xtra-Guard Flexible cables come in AWG sizes of 20 through 10, allowing them to serve the following applications:

• Machine tools
• Computer numerical control machine centers
• Data processing equipment
• Robotics
• Cable track installations

Leading Benefits of Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard

WesBell Electronics takes great pride in offering our clients quality electrical cables to ensure maximum project success. Here are some benefits of using Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard for your applications.

• Strong and flexible insulation and jacketing: Conventional electrical cables will likely experience wear and tear over time, resulting in costly downtime. In contrast, Xtra-Guard cables have durable jackets and PVC insulation for an improved life expectancy. They ensure optimal resistance to abrasion, water, chemicals, ultraviolet rays and oil to UL Oil Res 1 and Class 43 standards.
• Expansive temperature ratings: The Xtra-Guard range offers cables that deliver uninterrupted performance, whether your project operates in sub-zero conditions of up to minus 176 degrees Fahrenheit or high temperatures of 392 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Flexibility: Stranded conductors add flexibility to Xtra-Guard cables, making them more resistant to bends and easier to twist through tight spaces.
• Resistance to electromagnetic interference: With the addition of Supra-Shield, all cables in the Xtra-Guard line provide excellent protection from electromagnetic interference.
• Appropriate certifications: Complying with health and safety standards is critical for any project. Xtra-Guard cables meet globally recognized UL and CSA approvals and pass the UL VW-1 flame test.
• Easy jacket stripping: The nylon ripcord design simplifies jacket stripping to help you meet project deadlines.

About the Alpha Wire Company

Alpha Wire set up shop on American soil in 1922, so they’ve been a top wire manufacturing company for over 100 years. While their initial product line focused on wire strengtheners for the millinery industry, they evolved to manufacture electrical wire and insulators for radio antennas in the 1930s.

WWII and the invention of the television pushed Alpha Wire to adapt its product range even further. By designing superior electrical cables, they provided the components for military electronics and the expanding technological industry.

Today, Alpha Wire is available around the United States and leading industrial countries, such as China, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Buy Xtra-Guard Cable Online From WesBell

WesBell Electronics is a family-owned business and a trusted supplier of Alpha Wire cables. The Xtra-Guard varieties we offer are a perennial customer favorite due to their unrivaled performance in all environments. Use our Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard guide to help you find the best cable for your application or connect with our friendly team for personalized support. Complete our contact form for expert recommendations suited to your project.

In addition to a wide selection of wires and cables for every application, we provide a host of processing services, such as wire stripping, twisting and tin dipping, to streamline your preparation tasks and meet project deadlines successfully. Conveniently shop our extensive range of Alpha Wire products and other electrical cables online today and enjoy long-lasting performance.