Blog

We are proud to announce that Wire & Cable Your Way now carries a large selection of fiber optic cables from Prysmian Group, a worldwide leader in optical cable. Our fiber optic cable selection features:

• indoor, outdoor, and indoor/outdoor ratings,


• single mode and multimode,


• 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 strand.

Browse our new Fiber Cable selection:

  Indoor Fiber Optic Cable

  Indoor Interlock Armor Fiber Optic Cable

  Indoor Interconnect Fiber Zipcord

  Indoor/Outdoor Fiber Optic Cable

  Indoor/Outdoor Dry Loose Tube Fiber Optic Cable

  Micro Fiber Interconnect Fiber Optic Cable

Hey everyone, Willie the Wire Guy here. Lately, I’ve been keeping in touch with a number of our customers who have purchased wire and cable products for a couple of reasons: (1) to make sure they’re satisfied with their wire and cable, and (2) out of curiosity—to see how our products are being used. I’ve received awesome feedback, and I’m glad to see that people find our wire and cable performs at a high level.

It’s also been great to see the kinds of projects people are undertaking that have made them need our products in the first place. I thought it’d be a good idea to share this information for anyone who might be tackling a similar electrical project so that they can learn what type of wire others are using. Today, we’re going to focus on our Aluminum Service Entrance Cable with reinforcement tape (or SER Cable) and how Wire & Cable To Go buyers are putting it to use.

Using SER Cable to Feed Distribution and Sub-Panels

Predominantly, people are using our Aluminum SER Cable as it’s generally intended—to carry power from a service drop to the electronic meter base, and from that meter base to the distribution panel. More specifically, many customers are using our SER as a service entrance feeder cable from utility poles to their sub-panels when distributing power to an area outside the home (like a detached garage). SER is a perfect cable for feeding power to your sub-panel, and, depending on the amount of amps their sub-panels are handling (we’ve seen everywhere from 50 amp to 200 amp sub-panels being serviced), our customers are using all sizes of SER as a sub-panel feeder. What’s important to keep in mind when wiring a sub-panel on a structure separate from the home is that the sub-panel will need to be grounded. For this reason, all of our SER cable comes with ground included.

Many external structures that require significant power to function can utilize SER in their electrical distribution. Just a few that we’ve seen our customers build and service are:

• external garages


• pole barns


• heavy-duty workshops


• pool houses


• green houses

We’ve seen each of these projects employ Aluminum SER cable as a service entrance, but it’s important to understand that SER is only suitable as an above-ground service entrance cable. For direct burial aluminum cable for underground distribution, please take a look at our selection of Aluminum URD Wire, or visit our direct burial cable archive.

While SER is mostly used for much the same purposes across the board—distributing power from the main power supply to a subsidiary structure—it’s been interesting to hear of the unique things people have been powering on their property with our Aluminum Service Entrance cable. We will continue to profile how our customers are using different types of wire and cable in the future, so be sure to look out for our next installment!

If you have an upcoming project and are considering Aluminum SER Cable we do recommend consulting with a local electrician who is up to date on all codes and who can also advise on the correct size.

We offer Aluminum SER Wire in sizes 6 AWG - 4/0 and can cut to any length you need!

Please click here to view our entire Aluminum SER selection>>

Feel free to give us a call at 855-880-8010 if you have any questions!

Thanks for stopping by!

Your pal,
Willie

Are you looking for wire & cable to run 100 amp outdoor service to your shed?

If so, Wire And Cable Your Way has a few excellent options.



Our customer, Marvin for example, who sent in the above photo of his wire installation, used #2 AWG THHN Copper Building Wire for 100 amp outdoor service to his shed. Martin was running over 100' of wire for the connect.

Click here to view pricing and specs on #2 THHN Copper Building Wire >>

Depending of the length of the run, many customers also decide on #3 AWG THHN Copper Building Wire to run 100 amp outdoor service.

Click here to view pricing and specs on #3 THHN Copper Building Wire >>

If you are looking for Aluminum, we have a great variety of Aluminum Building Wire to choose from as well.

We have a wide selection of underground aluminum secondary distribution cable which is multi-conductor & used for direct burial.

Click here to view pricing and specs on our entire Aluminum Underground Secondary Distribution Cable category >>

We also offer single conductor XHHW-2 Aluminum Building Wire.

Our most popular aluminum wire for 100 amps service would be our #2 AWG XHHW-2 Aluminum Building Wire & our #1 AWG XHHW-2 Aluminum Building Wire

Click here to view pricing and specs on our XHHW-2 Aluminum Building Wire

Wire And Cable Your Way always recommends consulting with a local electrician before you make a purchase. Based on the length of the run and your environment they will provide important feedback.

We cut all of these wires and cables by the foot with no extra charge, allowing our customers to choose the exact length they need for the installation.

If you have any questions please call 855-880-8010

Thanks for stopping by!

Your Pal!
Willie

Happy New Year Everyone!

Do you have an upcoming project that requires a flexible control cable and/or tray cable?

If so, we recommend checking out our ÖLFLEX® Wire category made by LAPP Cable. LAPP Cable manufactures high-quality cables designed for flexible applications & equipment. We currently are offering ÖLFLEX® 190 cables and ÖLFLEX® TRAY II cable.

ÖLFLEX® 190 Cable

ÖLFLEX® 190 is a multi-conductor cable with a highly oil-, coolant-, and solvent-resistant PVC jacket for control and power applications in an industrial environment. It is designed for use in all electrical equipment under dry, damp, and wet conditions. ÖLFLEX® 190 CY is a shielded version for EMI and RFI protection.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ÖLFLEX® 190 CATEGORY>>

ÖLFLEX® TRAY II Cable

ÖLFLEX® TRAY II is an industrial grade tray cable with superior oil performance for long cable life. It has a pressure-extruded jacket and fine copper stranding for excellent flexibility, making it much easier to pull through tray. With UL TC-ER approval, no conduit is needed so you can reduce material costs along with saving on labor.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR ÖLFLEX® TRAY II CATEGORY>>

If you are looking for a certain Lapp Cable but can't locate it on our site please call us at 855-880-8010.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

Willie

PS - please take a look at this fun video below of a robot made up of Lapp cable shooting a basketball!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQb3nf_Umlw[/embed]

 

 

 

 

Weighing the differences between THHN/THWN-2 & XHHW/XHHW-2 building wire

When it comes to building wire, two of the most common and popular choices for electricians, engineers & homeowners are THHN and XHHW (or the newer and improved THWN/THWN-2 and XHHW-2). These cables come in both copper and aluminum, can have solid or stranded conductors, and are mainly used for power distribution up to 600 volts in the construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

While these two wire types are very similar and often interchangeable in their application, the differences are important to know in order to make the smartest decision when making a building wire purchase.

Wire Jacket & Insulation

The main difference between XHHW/XHHW-2 and THHN/THWN-2 is in the wire’s jacket. The different letters in names denote particular properties of each cable, and each provides the cable with varying levels of insulation:

 

THHN T for Thermoplastic HH for High Heat-Resistant, and N for Nylon Coated Temperature rating: 90ºC in dry locations	XHHW X for Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) HH for High Heat-Resistant, and W for Water Resistant Temperature rating: 90ºC in dry, 75ºC in wet locations
THWN or THWN-2 T for Thermoplastic H for Heat and W for Water Resistant, and N for Nylon Coated. THWN temperature rating: 90ºC in dry, 75ºC in wet locations THWN-2 temperature rating: 90ºC in both dry and wet locations	XHHW-2 XHHW-2 has the same properties as XHHW, but the "-2" denotes improved insulation. XHHW-2 temperature rating: 90ºC in both dry and wet locations

The jackets on the THHN family are thinner than those of XHHW wires. This means that, while more THHN can be fit into a raceway or fed through a conduit, its jacket doesn’t offer as much protection as the XHHW jacket—XHHW’s jacket coating is more resistant to chemicals, ozone and abrasions while THHN’s thin coating can lead to current leakage and can break down from chemical or environmental exposure, emitting a toxic smoke when burned.

 

Flexibility

Even though its jacket is thicker and more protective, XHHW is also more flexible than THHN wire. The XLPE insulation of the XHHW allows the cable to bend and flex better than the THHN’s PVC insulation—so XHHW is much easier to work with during the installation process.

 

Price

When comparing the price of the two wires, the equivalent gauge of XHHW costs somewhere between 5-20% more than its THHN counterpart.

 

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the decision between using XHHW or THHN in their next project comes down to weighing performance versus budget. On one hand, THHN is the more popular cable with our customers and many would say it’s perfectly sufficient for what they need. On the other hand, XHHW has the features to provide increased efficiency and extended longevity.

Both cables are incredibly popular, each with unique characteristics that are advantageous in certain environments. The choice between the two really just boils down to the project at hand and the budget with which you have to work.

 

---

 

At Wire & Cable Your Way, we sell many sizes of THHN/THWN-2 & XHHW/XHHW-2 building wire with a wide range of colored jackets and sold either cut-by-the-foot or in spools. Follow the links below to check out our selection.

Shop THHN/THWN-2

Shop XHHW-2

 

As you know, much of Houston and southeastern Texas is still reeling from the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey.

In the spirit of helping our neighbors in need, we're donating a percentage of all sales in the month of September to the American Red Cross. They're doing great work providing shelter, food, and supplies to the tens of thousands displaced by the storm. Here's more information for those who'd like to learn about the Red Cross' relief efforts.




 

 

"Can this cable be directly buried?"

We get asked this question all the time, so we've come up with an answer for everyone.

 

BROWSE ALL DIRECT BURIAL »

 

Or take a look at some of our most popular direct burial cables:

 

 
 
UF-B Wire
UF-B Wire - 6 to 14 AWG, with both 2 & 3 conductors.
View Product

---

 
 
 

 
 
URD Wire
URD Wire - 6 AWG to 1000 MCM. Triplex, Quadruplex, and single conductor.
View Product

---

 
 

 

 
THHN-PVC Tray Cable
THHN-PVC Tray Cable - 18 AWG to 500 MCM.
View Product

---

 

 
Have a question? We've got answers. You can send your questions to: sales@wireandcableyourway.com

Wire & Cable Your Way would like to honor the brave men & women who have fought and served our country.   We would not be living in this free country if it weren't for you.  We are thankful and forever indebted.

God Bless You All.

Sincerely,

Wire & Cable Your Way

Welcome to Wire And Cable Your Way, a leading e-commerce brand offering a wide selection of electrical wire & cable products by the foot.

Thousands of customers depend on us yearly for supply on bare copper for various commercial & residential jobs throughout the United States. Our extensive bare copper wire selection ranges in sizes of 500 MCM thru 14 AWG.

One of our most popular sizes is 4 AWG Bare Copper Wire. Typically used as grounding wire, our 4 gauge bare copper is unjacketed, soft drawn (hard drawn available by request), and is cut to foot allowing our customers to order the exact length they need.

4 AWG Bare Copper Wire Pricing

At Wire and Cable Your Way, our #4 Bare Copper Wire is currently offered in two types—Stranded or Solid—and is sold by the foot. Click on the either product below to purchase.

 

We can ship these items out the same day they're ordered with an expected arrival of 1-4 business days within the Continental USA.

If you happen to also need a stranded copper wire that is insulated with a jacket, we recommend taking a look at our THHN-THWN-2 category, which is a very common copper building wire. THHN/THWN-2 is covered in a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) insulation w/ a nylon jacket.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR THHN/THWN-2 COPPER WIRE CATEGORY>>

 

Have any questions or need more info?

Feel free to give call us at 855-880-8010 or send us an email here. We would love to hear from you!

Thanks for stopping by.

Your pal,
Willie

Dear Valued Customer:

The day is finally here, and we have OFFICIALLY become...

WireAndCableYourWay.com

We are very excited for this transition and assure you nothing will change besides the name!

We promise to continue giving you the same great products and service all at the same great prices that you've come to expect. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for new items, because we're adding them all the time!

To celebrate this new beginning, we are offering 5% off all our products through the month of August!

All of us at Wire And Cable Your Way would like to express our gratitude for all your continued support and loyalty. We are convinced we have the greatest customers in the country!

If there is anything we can help with please don't ever hesitate to reach out to us.
We are here for you.

Thank you all very much,



Seth Harris
President/CEO
Wire and Cable Your Way
855-880-8010