If you’re looking for portable power, Type W cable is a great option. This versatile cable works in a wide range of heavy-duty environments, with an array of protective features and sizing options. You can primarily find Type W cable throughout the entertainment industry, supporting different types of portable power in both temporary and permanent applications. Permanent wiring for heavy equipment also uses Type W cable.

WesBell Electronics carries quality Type W cables online, perfect for many types of projects.

What Is Type W Cable?

Type W portable power cable is known for delivering solid performance even in severe environments, which is why it’s a common choice for places where it could get stepped on or rolled over. Typical applications include temporary leads and power for portable electrical equipment. This cable type also works well in many different projects, partially due to its wide range of sizes. Type W single-conductor cable is available in sizes from 8 American Wire Gauge (AWG) to 500,000s of circular mils (MCM).

A Type W cable includes an annealed bare copper conductor and insulation made of an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The jacket features the super-strong Super Vu-Tron® material — a thermoset chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) that can protect against many external threats, including oil, sunlight, acids, alkalies, flames and chemicals. This material also has rubber, high-heat and water resistance (RHH/RHW) ratings.

Another significant part of the construction of Type W cable is the layer of polyester braid reinforcement between the insulation and jacket. This adds mechanical strength for standing up to crushing, twisting and turning.

The cable can support up to 2,000 volts of power and withstand temperatures from -40 to 90 degrees Celsius. Approvals come from organizations such as the CSA Group, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the Mine Safety and Health Association (MSHA) and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

Applications for Type W Cable

All the robust materials in Type W cable’s construction make it extremely flexible without sacrificing durability, so it’s easy to move around for portable applications in rough environments. The entertainment industry is a popular place for these cables, supporting:

Spotlights.
Sound systems.
Mobile communications vans.
Video systems.

This type of cable can also provide heavy-duty power supply in warehouses, such as for welding applications.

Similar Cable Types

If Type W doesn’t sound right for your application or you’re looking for something more cost-effective, we sell many other types of power cables, such as:

Welding cable. Welding cable is similar to Type W cable, with high durability and versatile sizing. It supports up to 600 volts.
Type G and GC. These cables aren’t available in as large a size range as Type W, but they offer similar characteristics and are rated for direct burial applications. Type G cables have a ground wire for every conductor and Type G-GC cables have an additional ground-check wire.

We also stock diesel locomotive (DLO) cable, stage lighting cables and other portable power cord cables.

Type W Cables From WesBell Electronics

When you work with WesBell Electronics, you can expect assistance from skilled representatives who know the ins and outs of electrical wires and cables. We can help you determine which one is right for your application and provide a range of services such as wire cutting and harness assembly to make installation easier.

Click on our product links to view our Type W cables online, or reach out to us to learn more!