flexible wire for motors and starters
flexible wire for motors and starters
(OP)
When using large gauge wire (MTW or THHN) such as #1,2,3 awg for starters and motors it gets hard to do any bends in the enclosure or into the motor because the wire is so rigid at that size. Is there an approved wire that is more flexible such as welding cable? This is used on 3 phase 480 V systems motors. Thanks





RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
Do the terminal boxes satisfy NEC 430-12?
In most cases, the conductors also come under NEC Article 310 for use in raceways or cable assemblies. Welding cable will likely not meet NEC Article 310, but type DLO with a dual UL/NEC RHW-2 rating might be an acceptable compromise. 4AWG DLO is 105 strand and 1/0AWG is 273 strand—typically with thermoset [FREP/CSPE] insulation.
One producer of many is www.aiwc.com/catalogsection/sellspdfs/dlo4pg.pdf
RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
Be careful with the extra flexible cable as the inner bunches of strands in this type of cable can slide out of the mechanical or compression type of connectors resulting in a loose connection later; when the bends (as in a tight enclosure) in the cables are too short radius or too near to the connector itself. Vibration and heating/cooling cycles starts the process. In my experience, large size cables always must be brazed to the terminals to prevent a loose connection caused by this behaviour of this type of cable, disregard this tip if you already doing this, I hope this helps
RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"
RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
Why don't you just simply use a bigger cabinet? In some instances it actually pays to use a bigger conduit or cabinet than what National Electrical Code requires because you are saving on labor.
Mike Cole, mc5w@earthlink.net
RE: flexible wire for motors and starters
Another more flexible cable for panel work is dual-rated NEC/UL type SIS/XHHW-2. Eight-AWG and larger is often 133-strand, with 259-strand for larger gauges [ASTM B-173 Class H stranding]. XHHW rating also allows it to be used in raceways and general building-wire applications.]