TFFN Wire

When someone mentions TFFN wire, they’re talking about thermoplastic flexible fixture nylon. This type of wire is also called fixture wire or appliance wire and is used in various indoor, outdoor and in-conduit applications. We’ll be taking a closer look at what TFFN wire is made of, how it’s used and how it compares to similar wires and cables.

What Is TFFN Wire?

TFFN has more flexibility than some other cables, and the National Electric Code (NEC) labels it as fixture wire, which means it can be used in some applications that other cables can’t. It’s also resistant to many common threats that would otherwise lead to fast deterioration. One limitation of TFFN wire is its size — it’s only available in American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizes 16 and 18.

These wires consist of a bare copper conductor surrounded by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation and a nylon coating, which gives it its flexible characteristics. There is no ground wire and only one conductor in type TFFN wire. Common TFFN wire uses include machine tool wire and appliance wire.

Another bonus to TFFN wire is its array of colors, which allows for easy identification. We carry TFFN wire in black, blue, brown, gray, green, orange, red, violet, white and yellow.

The insulation and coating of TFFN make the cable resistant to threats such as:

• Oil
• Water
• Heat
• Gas
• Moisture

What Temperature is TFFN Wire Rated For?

TFFN wire is rated for wet and dry conditions at 600 volts, with temperatures up to 90℃ in dry environments.

You can view a TFFN ampacity chart on each individual product page.

What Does TFFN Stand For?

The letters used in wire names are used to identify the application of the cables. Here is a breakdown of the letters in TFFN:

T: Thermoplastic. This is the type of insulation the wire has.

FF: Flexible Fixture. Flexible means that the wire moves and flexes easier than heavier cables. Fixture refers to the applications for this type of wire.

N: Nylon. This is the material of the exterior coating. The nylon exterior protects the wire from elements like dirt, dust, oil and gas.

TFFN vs. TFN and THHN

TFFN is closely related to another wire, TFN, which is missing the “F” that stands for “flexible.” Instead of being stranded, TFN uses solid wire, which makes it much stiffer.

Another wire that’s similar to type TFFN is THHN wire. THHN stands for thermoplastic high-heat nylon wire. While TFFN has more flexibility, THHN has the advantage of sizing, because it ranges from 14 AWG to 1,000 thousands of circular mils (MCM). TFFN, however, fits applications where NEC requires fixture wire, while THHN would not.

We can also supply you with 16 AWG hook-up wire as a more flexible option and 16 AWG polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wire for a higher-temperature option. The insulation of each type of electrical wire will determine where it can be installed based on the amount of protection it offers.

For a deeper dive into TFFN vs. THHN, check out our blog post.

Approvals and Specifications

TFFN has several approvals and specifications from various organizations:

• Appliance Wire Material (AWM) and Machine Tool Wire (MTW)
• Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
• UL 1063
• UL 66
• UL 758

When you work with a trusted seller like WesBell Electronics, you can rest easy knowing your cables meet the appropriate standards.

TFFN Wire From WesBell Electronics

In addition to providing trustworthy cables and wires, we also offer a range of wire processing services, so you can spend less time prepping your cables for the job. Customer service is a specialty of ours, and we make it easy to get what you need.

Here at WesBell Electronics, we have an expert staff of technicians well-versed in helping customers find the right cable or wire for the job at hand. If you’re not sure if TFFN is the right choice for you, or if you need more TFFN wire specs, please reach out to us today! We’re happy to discuss your application and help select the best cable.