RHW wire is a multi-purpose wire with excellent heat and water resistance. Whether installed underground or in moisture-prone areas, RHW cable provides peace of mind in residential and commercial environments. So what type of insulation is RHW and how does it perform? Follow us as we clear up the confusion.
What is RHW wire?
The RHW wire is a type of electrical wire suitable for various indoor and outdoor installation needs and can be directly buried underground. The conductors consist of a single solid or stranded copper wire that is both bare or tinned. The conductors are further insulated with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or flame retardant ethylene propylene rubber (EPR). Thus, type RHW Wire has terrific heat and water resistant properties. RHW cable can tolerate temperatures as high as 75°C, which makes it suitable for high heat environments.. Should you encounter RHW-2, it means that the wire is capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 90°C. Similar applicability applies to USE-2 cables, which are also utilized for subterranean service entrances.
Did you know? The “R” in RHW stands for rubber, indicating the type of insulation used. “H” indicates the heat resistance of the cable.”W” refers to the waterproof performance of the wire.
Here are some of the key features of RHW wire:
Heat Resistant: 75°C max (90°C for RHW-2).
Waterproof: Suitable for use in wet locations and underground.
How is waterproofing achieved?
Water-resistant expansion strips or water-resistant tape may be included in the cable construction, and these are usually located between the insulation and the outer sheath or around the conductors. These materials expand when exposed to moisture, forming a physical barrier to further moisture penetration. The expanded water-resistant tape is wrapped around specific parts of the cable, such as outside the core of the cable, to ensure a longitudinal water barrier.
Chemical resistance: resistant to oils and gases.
Versatility: Fits well in both commercial and residential settings.
In addition the flame retardant RHW low smoke halogen free cable is also used. It is an environmentally friendly cable made of low-smoke halogen-free materials with flame retardant, high temperature resistant, chemical corrosion resistant properties. The cable produces less smoke in case of fire and contains no halogen, which has less impact on the environment and human health. It is usually used in buildings, subways and ships.
Specifications and uses of RHW wire
Specification
Voltage Rating: Typically, RHW wires are rated at 600 volts.
Size: RHW cable is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different current carrying capacities and installation needs. Common sizes include 12 AWG, 10 AWG, and 8 AWG.
What is rhw wire used for?
- Commercial Buildings: In offices, retail stores, and small commercial facilities it can be used for power distribution systems, including service feeders and branch circuits.
- Industrial Environments: Equipment connections, electrical systems and control lines in factories, warehouses and industrial locations are excellent places to use rhw cable. Especially where resistance to high temperatures and humid environments is required such as diesel generators. On the contrary, RHH wires cannot be used in humid environments.
- Overhead and Underground Installations: Whether you’re working above or below ground, the durability of RHW wire insulation makes certain that it can withstand the elements. Its waterproofing properties make it especially effective in underground installations. Additionally, the type RHW-2 is particularly well suited for direct burial in the ground for outdoor lighting, landscape lighting or underground power supply in residential or commercial areas.
- Wind power: It is used as part of the connecting cable from the base of the wind tower to the booster to provide stability and safety in power transmission.
- Alternative Uses: RHW cable can be used as a replacement for certain specific models (e.g., CUL listed RW75), providing similar or superior electrical performance.
- Pipe & Trench Wiring: Wiring through pipes or underground trenches for applications where wires need to be hidden or protected.
Comparison with More Wire Types
RHH/RHW wire can be classified as a type of building wire, alongside THHN and XHHW wires. Let’s examine how they are different.
RHW Wire vs. THHN Wire
RHW is applicable in direct burial and moist applications due to its insulation capacity along with good waterproofing level. In comparison to RHW / RHW-2 cables, THHN cables are not weatherproofed to the same degree. Also THHN wire uses thermoplastic insulation, which is more rigid and less resistant to moisture. Although THHN and THHN-2 in the wet dual rating are rated for both dry and wet applications. However, it is common for them to be used in dry protected areas like inside buildings or inside machine tools.
RHW Wire vs. XHHW Wire
RHW is suitable for temperatures ranging from -40°C to 105°C (dry applications) and exhibits good low-temperature bending performance. XHHW is particularly well suited for hot and humid environments, and the “-2” designation in XHHW-2 indicates that it maintains an operating temperature of 90°C even in humid conditions.
RHW cable may be slightly more expensive. However, if your project requires a higher level of moisture resistance and temperature flexibility, I think you are well worth using. XHHW wire has specific temperature ratings and may be more cost-effective for projects with stable environmental conditions.
Read more about thhn wire vs xhhw: THHN VS XHHW: Characteristics, Differences and Consideration
Whether we are working in humid environments or in high temperatures, we can benefit from its versatility. So do you have any ideas about how to choose RHW cable products? Low-quality cables are always prone to aging and aging is the main reason for most of the failure issues. For your interstingly next electrical requirement. Do consider using high quality RHW Wire, plus ZW Cable‘s full coverage of RHW and building cables. Do not hesitate to ask for a quote!
