Machine Tool Wire, denoted as &#;MTW&#;, is used for general purpose wiring circuits, machine tool wiring and internal wiring of control panels covered under UL standard . The standard describes a single conductor wire / hookup wire as well as multi-conductor cable where the conductors meet UL standard and are enclosed by a PVC jacket. These multi-approved cables are versatile in installations depending on which type of UL approval is needed &#; See Flexible Power and Control Cables. Constructed with a high strand count of either bare or tinned copper strands for increased corrosion protection, Machine Tool Wire (MTW) is intended to be flexible with a small bending radius for easier routing in tight spaces such as electrical cabinets. MTW wires are rated up to 600V and have a temperature rating from -25°C to 105°C.
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Both are similar in that they are used for internal wiring of appliances or control cabinets, however Machine Tool Wire (MTW) is covered under UL standard , a completely different standard than UL standard 758 covering Appliance Wiring Material (AWM). MTW is intended for industrial machines and control cabinets governed under NFPA 79 and NEC. There are many cable constructions for varying industries that fall under the AWM category organized by style numbers.
THHN wire stands for Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon made with PVC, a thermoplastic material. Primarily considered a building wire, THHN wire comes in aluminum or copper, stranded or solid conductors and from 14 AWG to MCM. Machine Tool Wire (MTW) in comparison is made of stranded conductors of bare or tinned copper and offered from 22 AWG to MCM.
Your specific application will determine which approval is required and Right Hand Industrial can help with your selection.
MTW vs. THHN: When Is It Better to Choose One Over The Other?
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In the electrical industry, THHN (Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon coated) is a golden standard for building wires and the most used building wire in the United States. When looking for a building wire, most people would just use it without thinking twice and would not be disappointed in their choice. Thermoplastic high heat-resistant nylon wire works perfectly in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings alike. However, you may find an alternative in MTW, or machine tool wire. As the name suggests, it is mostly used in machine tools and appliances. As a matter of fact, THHN and MTW perform well in similar circumstances, and one can always be subsidized for the other. Or can it? While both types of electrical wire demonstrate similar performance, there are subtle differences that every experienced electrician should be aware of.
If an aluminum conductor is something you would prefer based on price or weight, consider choosing THHN. If you prefer the superior conductivity of a copper conductor, both options are right for you.
Thanks to a higher number of strands in a conductor, MTW offers much more flexibility. While the nylon coating of THHN is sure to provide some extra protection, it also makes it even less flexible. Many say that the THHN building wire is stiff and difficult to work with because of the flexibility issues. If an uncomplicated installment is your priority, consider opting for an MTW wire. Time spent installing is likely to be way longer for THHN. Tracing and replacing the wire afterward might also be quite complicated.
Using MTW for control panels is a regular practice among electricians because THHN simply does not perform well with this application. The reason? Again, it is a flexibility issue. While you can easily use THHN for the entire building, still choose MTW for control panels for a satisfactory result. If you have no access to MTW and absolutely have to use THHN, make sure to use proper stress relief and termination sleeves with it.
A durable AND abrasion-resistant THHN performs better than MTW when in contact with water. This is true for both indoors and outdoors applications. If you need a completely waterproof wire, choose a water-resistant version of THHN- THWN wire. Most of the high-quality THHN wires are double-marked as THHN THWN-2 already, so you would not need a separate item for water submersion.
Now that you know the basic subtle and not-so-subtle differences between MTW and THHN, visit our website to choose your perfect building wire. We sell high-quality aluminum THHN THWN-2, copper THHN THWN-2, and copper MTW machine tool wire. All of the products are manufactured in the United States and sold at the best prices.
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