Why Use Tinned
Copper Wire?
OUR SOLUTION FOLLOW-UP QUESTION
HOW TO PREVENT WIRE CORROSION
To prevent accelerated corrosion, tinned copper wire conductors can be used as an added layer of protection.
Tinned copper cable is primarily used in wastewater treatment facilities, subway systems, and other contaminated environments susceptible to long-term exposure to excess water. The tin coating on the copper protects the wire from corrosion and premature cable failure.
Benefits of Tinned Copper:
- Protects Against Corrosion
- Extends the Life of the Cable
- Easy to Solder
- Same Conductivity as Bare Copper
SUBMIT A QUESTION
PROTECTION AGAINST COPPER WIRE CORROSION
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 performance loss. Any copper in wire can be susceptible to corrosion. While bare copper is fairly immune to corrosion, tin plated copper—copper coated with a layer of tin—is resistant to the accelerated corrosion that comes from wet and contaminated environments.
Tinned copper is primarily used for protection against oxidation and corrosion. In climates where copper has long-term exposure to water, oxygen will combine with the metal and form copper oxide, weakening the bonds of the metal. It is worse if the wire is in contact with salt water. As more of this oxide forms, it weakens the integrity of the copper making it brittle and crumbly. Corroded copper wire is less efficient at moving electricity and can cause safety hazards.
TINNED COPPER WIRE & CABLE APPLICATIONS
Tinned copper wire is particularly useful in wastewater treatment facilities, underground subway systems, and projects exposed to excess oil, gas, or water. Tinned copper conductors are frequently used in utility projects in the Northeast and environments exposed to excess sodium-chloride salts (seawater).
TINNED COPPER vs BARE COPPER
When considering bare or tinned copper, the environment should be a determining factor in the wire selection process. Tinned copper can extend the life of your cable, but it isn’t easily retrofitted in all projects. Thinking ahead and planning for potentially corrosive environments can prevent total replacement jobs in the future.
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TINNED COPPER CONDUCTORS
Service Wire offers solid or stranded tinned conductors in a variety of products, including:
BARE COPPER
Solid or Stranded
AVAILABLE:
#18 AWG - 750 Kcmil
Soft, Medium Hard, or Hard Drawn
Tinned or Non-Tinned
SERVICEPRO-X®
No Pulling Lubricant Required
(#6 AWG and Larger)
- XHHW-2 600V/1kV Copper
- USE-2 or RHW-2 600V/1kV Copper
- RHW-2 or RW90 1kV/2kV Copper
AVAILABLE:
#14 AWG - 750 Kcmil
Tinned Conductors
VW-1 Rated
Wide Range of Colors
Silicone-Free
SERVICEPLEX®
Prefab Twisted Single Conductors
- XHHW-2 Inner Conductors
600/1,000 Volt Copper
AVAILABLE:
#14 AWG - 750 Kcmil
2-7 Conductors
Built-In Grounds
Pre-Installed Pulling Heads
Wide Range of Colors
Silicone-Free
FEEDER MC
Flexible Interlocked MC (UL 1569)
- XHHW-2 Inner Conductors
Colored, Numbered, or Striped Conductors
AVAILABLE:
#8 AWG - 600 Kcmil
2-4 Conductors
120V and 480V Color Codes
50% Ground
PVC, ServiceCPE®, or EnviroPLUS® Jacket
JACKETED MC
Flexible Interlocked Type MC (UL 1569)
- XHHW-2 Inner Conductors
Colored, Numbered, or Striped Conductors
AVAILABLE:
AIA and GSIA
#14 AWG - 750 Kcmil
2-37 Conductors
120V and 480V Color Codes
50% Ground
PVC, ServiceCPE®, or EnviroPLUS® Jacket
TRAY CABLE
TC-ER Rated
- XHHW-2 Inner Conductors
Colored, Numbered, or Striped Conductors
AVAILABLE:
Dual Rated 600V/1kV or 2kV
#14 AWG - 750 Kcmil
2-37 Conductors
Tinned or Non-Tinned
Shielded or Non-Shielded
PVC, ServiceCPE®, or EnviroPLUS® Jacket
SERVICEDRIVE®
VFD Tray Cable
- RHW-2/PVC, Shielded
2,000 Volt Copper
AVAILABLE:
#14 AWG - 750 Kcmil
PVC, ServiceCPE®, or EnviroPLUS® Jacket
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