Type E
Type E wire belongs to the broad category of hook-up wire and features polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation, which offers some particularly useful characteristics for durability and resistance to damage. It’s also relatively flexible and comes in a wide range of American Wire Gauge (AWG) sizes, making it a versatile cable for use in several types of wiring.
At WesBell Electronics, we carry Type E wire, the closely related Type EE and Type ET, and many other types of hook-up wire. Understanding Type E wire and the differences between it and other cables can help ensure you get the right one for your application.
PTFE Wire for High-Temperature Applications
Though commonly used in similar situations, electrical wire and PTFE wire are different types of hook-up wire. The electrical wire has 19 bare copper strands and a nylon coating that protects against moisture. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-insulated wire achieves more flexible stranding by using tinned copper instead of bare. Neither of these can handle particularly high temperatures.
PTFE wire, on the other hand, has a high-temperature jacket that can handle much higher temperatures than PVC or electrical wire. These high-temperature capabilities also make PTFE wire and cable very hard to manufacture because it gets so hot that the wire breaks as it’s being made. So it’s standard to get 1,000 feet of a PTFE cable in 100 or 150-foot increments.
Those who use heat-shrink tubing might know that a heat gun on PVC wire will melt it back slightly. PTFE wire, with its higher heat resistance, can handle a heat gun. You’ll sometimes see this with a solder gun, though, when the tip of the solder gun gets too close to the insulation.
Type E Cables From WesBell
Here at WesBell Electronics, our knowledgeable staff members know the difference between all these types of wire and cable because we deal with them daily. If you’re not sure if Type E is right for your application, we can help. Just walk us through your project and we’ll help you find the best balance between performance and cost with the right hook-up wire.
In addition to helping with selection, we also offer a range of wire preparation services, such as twisting, striping and harness assembly, so you can spend less time getting your wires ready and more time working on the bigger picture. Click on the links above to browse our Type E cables, or contact us if you have any questions!