Browse through answers to frequently asked questions and articles about various industry topics.
Any contractor who has been on the jobsite during a difficult wire pull can attest to the frustration of a cable fault. You’ve spent hours pulling multiple parallels only for the Megger to show a faulty reading, resulting in overtime to repull and replace the damaged cable. This can have significant financial implications on your bottom line. Read More...
Published June 2020 by:
Tony Holderby
Regional Sales Manager at Service Wire Company
The increased adoption of variable frequency drives (VFDs) over the past decade has increased the need for specifically engineered wire and cable solutions that ensure long-term performance. To avoid costly downtime, diagnosis, and repair of these critical operations, it is important to specify cable systems designed to address motor bearing failure, cable failure, stray current, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Read More...
Published March 2020 by:
Steven Stanford
National Sales Manager - Industrial
Extreme cold temperatures can have adverse effects on your wire and cable, causing them to temporarily become brittle and inflexible. In these conditions, some cables will stiffen and even crack if they are installed below recommended temperatures. A video in this article shows THHN-2 snapping on the jobsite during a cold weather installation. Read More...
Published December 2019 by:
Bruce Kesler
Director of Sales at Service Wire Company
Utility distributors and contractors are no strangers to storm-related damage. Whether it’s heavy snow, freezing rain, flash flooding, or natural disasters, unexpected storms can wreak havoc on critical equipment and services. Although every storm is different, it is important to have a response plan in place for a successful restoration effort. Read More...
Published November 2019 by:
Joe DeBellis
National Sales Manager - Utility at Service Wire Company
The sole purpose of electrical wire and cable is to conduct an electric current from one point to another, but if the cable starts to corrode, it can quickly become damaged and result in loss of performance. While bare copper is fairly resistant to corrosion, tinned copper conductors prevent accelerated corrosion against wet and contaminated environments. Read More...
Published June 2019 by:
Tony Holderby
Regional Sales Manager at Service Wire Company
Metal-clad (MC) cable constructions are a cost-effective alternative to traditional pipe and wire. These high-performing solutions offer significant cost savings by eliminating the need for electrical conduit and the labor required for installation. Contractors who use armored cable require limited pulling equipment, fewer reels, and less time setting up pulls. Read More...
Published April 2019 by:
Katy Martin
Content Marketing Associate at Service Wire Company
UL 1277, the standard for electrical power and control tray cable, was recently updated, allowing manufacturers with UL approved tray cable to market their product as 600V/1kV rated. To be dual rated, products must use a recognized 1kV rated conductor and pass a higher voltage AC Hipot test on the completed cable. Read More...
Published February 2019 by:
Lee Perry
Engineering Manager at Service Wire Company
All ISO standards are reviewed every five years; however, revisions are only made when the information isn’t relevant for the current marketplace. ISO 9001:2015 places a greater importance on risk and includes an updated structure compatible with other management system standards. Read More...
Published January 2019 by:
Katy Martin
Content Marketing Associate at Service Wire Company
Thermoplastic and thermoset are two common types of cable insulation, and it's important to understand their strengths and weaknesses when designing and building a new facility, machine, or appliance. Read More...
Published November 2018 by:
Lee Perry
Engineering Manager at Service Wire Company
The latest version of NFPA 79 establishes very specific wire and cable requirements for VFD applications in an effort to accumulate the decades of industry experience into a wire and cable design document. ServiceDrive® VFD Cable System designs have always met the new 2018 NFPA 79 cable requirements. Read More...
Published September 2018 by:
Lee Perry
Engineering Manager at Service Wire Company