UFB Cable (Underground Feeder Cable)

Underground Feeder Cable (UF-B) is a rugged and durable cable commonly used in tough electrical wiring environments. It has a wide range of features and characteristics that make it a reliable — and authorized — choice in many underground burial applications, as well as some indoor ones where moisture or corrosion are concerns.

Here at WesBell Electronics, we carry UF-B cable from Southwire, a reputable provider of wiring and cables with top-notch design and appropriate approvals. We offer purchases of any size, so you can order just what you need. Let’s take a closer look at UF-B cable, what options it comes in and how you can use it in different applications.

What Is UF-B Cable?

UF-B cable is a type of cable rated for direct burial without any conduit, thanks to several characteristics that allow it to withstand those tough outdoor conditions. You’ll commonly find it used to run power to outside lamps, pumps and other equipment because of its resistance to sunlight, moisture, fungi, extreme heat and abrasion. The UF-B cable’s rugged design features also make it a good choice for corrosive or wet indoor applications.

The “B” in the acronym refers to the cable’s ability to act as a branch circuit cable.

Here’s a breakdown of the materials used to create the various components of a UF-B cable:

• Jacket: Polyvinyl chloride
• Insulation: Color-coded polyvinyl chloride and nylon
• Conductors: Solid or stranded soft or annealed soft bare copper wire
• Ground: Soft bare copper

These materials offer several high-performing ratings to a UF-B cable:

• Temperature: Up to 90℃ in dry or wet conditions
• Ampacity: 60℃.
• Voltage: 600 volts

At WesBell, we offer Southwire two- and three-conductor UF-B cables with American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizes between 6 and 14, all sold by the foot.  We understand that you have exact length requirements and want to limit waste, so we allow you to purchase any length at all on UF-B cable.

UF-B Underground Cables — A Closer Scrutiny

UF-B cable needs to meet several different standards and specifications to be approved in various applications. These include standards from UL LLC., the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), among others:

• UL Standard 493
• UL Standard 83
• NFPA 70
• Federal specifications A-A 59544
• The National Electrical Code
• RoHS/REACH
• ASTM B3 and B8

Options include the number of conductor cables and the form they take — conductors can be soft or annealed solid copper or annealed and compressed stranded copper. You also have the discretion to pair the cable with a ground wire.

In addition, these cables’ characteristics deliver several advantages:

• They are insulated by PVC. PVC insulation provides benefits ranging from flame retardance to resistance to chemicals like oils and acids. It also resists damage due to abrasion.
• They are nylon jacketed to provide an additional layer of protection against extreme weather conditions such as very hot weather or humid weather that causes moisture and fungi. They are resistant to sunlight, too. In addition, since they are insulated, there is no more need to spend extra cash on insulation, including wood or pipes.
• They use color codes for fast and easy identification.

UF-B Cables From Southwire and WesBell Electronics

There are several kinds of UF-B cable available for purchase. Among these, cable from Southwire is a cut above the rest. To see why consumers opted to buy it, you’ll want to understand the technical details, specification, approval and application of this cable.

Moreover, the Southwire type is available in different part numbers. Some of these can be found below:

• UF-B 14/2: It is 14 AWG and contains two conductors. It has a solid strand with a ground wire size of 14. The weight per 1,000 feet is 70 pounds.
• UF-B 12/2: It is 12 AWG and contains two conductors. It has a solid strand with a ground wire size of 12. The weight per 1,000 feet is 95 pounds.
• UF-B 10/2: This cable is 10 AWG and it also has two conductors. It has a ground wire size of 10 bearing the weight of 138 pounds per 1,000 feet. It contains a solid strand.
• UF-B 8/2: This cable is 8 AWG and it also has two conductors. It has a ground wire size of 10 bearing the weight of 222 pounds per 1,000 feet. It contains seven strands.
• UF-B 6/2: This type is 6 AWG with two conductors. The weight per 1,000 feet is 303 pounds and the ground wire size is 10. It also has seven strands.

As mentioned, the Southwire cable can have three conductors. An example is the UF-B 8/3 and the UF-B 14/3. The former is 8 AWG and has seven strands and three conductors. The weight per 1,000 feet is 344 pounds. On the other hand, the latter is 14 AWG with three conductors. The weight per 1,000 feet is 96 pounds and the ground wire size is 14. It has a solid strand.

The Southwire UF-B Cable provides a wide array of options to suit the different needs of consumers.

The WesBell Advantage

WesBell Electronics has been a trusted provider of cables for over 30 years, and our UF-B cables from Southwire are a popular choice for tough outdoor and indoor conditions. Here at WesBell, we provide customer service that’s second to none. Our expert staff can help you find the right cable for your application and will even process the cables so they’re ready to go when you receive them. You won’t have to spend valuable time cutting, stripping or terminating your UF-B power cable.

If you only need single wires instead of the complete UF-B cable, see our THHN/THWN electrical wire. And, for less-demanding indoor applications, we have Romex® cables. View our selection of power cables if you need something larger in a rubber jacket, such as welding cable or locomotive cable.

Please reach out to us with any specific requirements you might have! We’re happy to help you find the right cable. To explore our UF-B cable options, click on the links above.