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Utility Tray Cable for Power Generation & Substation Applications

DWC stocks tray cable for utility and power generation environments where outdoor durability, UV resistance, and long-term reliability define the specification. From generating station feeder circuits and substation control wiring to solar farm balance-of-system cable and wind turbine interconnection, our TC-ER rated tray cable is built for the demands of power infrastructure. Available in VNTC (THHN/THWN-2), XLP (XHHW-2), and FR-EP (XHHW-2) insulation systems, with sunlight-resistant ratings across the product line and same-day shipping from seven CDCs.

Utility environments subject cable to conditions that indoor industrial installations rarely encounter: continuous UV exposure, wide temperature cycling, direct burial runs between structures, and moisture contact from rain, condensation, and underground installation. DWC’s utility tray cable products are sunlight resistant, rated for wet locations, and available with direct burial markings for underground runs. Our XLP/XHHW-2 and FR-EP/XHHW-2 products deliver the full 90°C ampacity rating in wet conditions that standard THWN-2 cannot match, which matters for outdoor installations where moisture exposure is constant rather than occasional.

DWC tray cables include shielded and unshielded configurations to meet the specific needs of your application. These cables come with a sunlight-resistant, solvent-resistant, and oil-resistant jacket for use in harsh industrial conditions. The PVC jacket provides flexibility when cable tray configurations require tight turns or for cables used in harnesses or automation requiring elasticity.

Utility tray cables are easy to install and facilitate an easier, more economical installation process due to their malleable characteristics that make cable pulls easier.

Benefits of Tray Cable:

High durability - Designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, making them reliable for utility applications that require a high degree of durability.

Flexibility - Available in both shielded and unshielded configurations, making them a flexible solution for most utility applications that call for complex runs and repetitive movements.

Easy installation - No conduit necessary for installation, making the installation process more economical and efficient.

High electrical performance - Designed to meet the most stringent requirements for power and control applications, providing excellent electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Safety - Tested to meet strict safety requirements, ensuring that they are safe for use in utility applications.

DWC utility-grade tray cables are suitable for a variety of applications. They are manufactured to the highest quality standards to ensure reliability and durability. DWC uses only the highest-quality materials and conduct extensive testing to ensure that tray cables designed for utility environments meet or exceed industry standards.

If you need a reliable and durable solution for your utility power and control needs, DWC tray cables are the perfect choice. Browse our selection today and contact us if you have any questions or need assistance selecting the best cable for your needs.

FAQs

What is tray cable used for in utility applications?

Tray cable is used in utility and power generation environments to carry power and control signals for generating station equipment, substation switchgear, transformer protection circuits, relay and SCADA systems, and balance-of-system wiring for solar and wind installations. It is installed in cable trays within generating facilities, in conduit runs between outdoor structures, direct buried for underground connections, and on messenger wire for aerial spans. TC-ER rated tray cable can transition from cable tray to equipment without conduit, reducing installation cost at substations and generating stations.

What are the different types of tray cable available for utility applications?

DWC stocks utility-grade tray cable in three insulation systems, each suited to different utility environments. VNTC (THHN/THWN-2) is the standard choice for indoor generating station wiring and protected outdoor installations. XLP/XHHW-2 is preferred for outdoor substations and exposed utility infrastructure because its 90°C wet rating provides higher ampacity than THWN-2 in moisture-prone environments. FR-EP/XHHW-2 is specified for generating stations and utility facilities that restrict PVC materials due to chemical exposure or fire safety requirements. All three insulation types are available in shielded and unshielded configurations and carry the TC-ER listing for installation flexibility.

Is tray cable suitable for outdoor use in utility applications?

Yes. DWC’s utility tray cable products are sunlight resistant and rated for outdoor installation in cable trays, on messenger wire, and direct burial (where the specific product carries a direct burial marking on the jacket). Per NEC 336.12, tray cable exposed to direct sunlight must be marked sunlight resistant. For utility substations and generating stations with long outdoor cable runs, our XLP and FR-EP products provide 90°C wet ratings for continuous outdoor exposure, and our VNTC products are sunlight resistant for protected outdoor environments.

What is the temperature rating of utility tray cable?

The temperature rating depends on the insulation system. DWC’s THHN/THWN-2 (VNTC) utility tray cable is rated 90°C in dry locations and 75°C in wet locations. XLP/XHHW-2 and FR-EP/XHHW-2 products are rated 90°C in both wet and dry conditions. For outdoor utility environments where cables are continuously exposed to rain, condensation, or underground moisture, the 90°C wet rating on XHHW-2 and FR-EP products allows higher ampacity than THWN-2. This is particularly important for sizing cable runs at substations and outdoor generating equipment where wet conditions are the norm rather than the exception.

Can tray cable be used in hazardous locations in utility applications?

Yes. DWC’s tray cable is rated for Class I Division 2, Class II Division 2, and Class III Division 1 and 2 hazardous locations. This covers the classified areas commonly found around fuel handling systems, hydrogen-cooled generators, battery rooms, and gas turbine enclosures at generating stations. The cable must be terminated with fittings approved for the hazardous classification, and an equipment grounding conductor must be provided. For Division 1 areas, MC-HL cable or rigid conduit is required because standard tray cable is not permitted in those classifications.

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  • Utility-Tray Cable for Power Generation & Substation Applications

VNTC Shld 18 AWG – 16 AWG

Shielded tray TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for process and control signals. Shielding protects the signal from electrostatic noise and cross talk. It can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit, direct buried and is moisture resistant. Rated for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations. All of our tray cables are manufactured to meet current NEC guidelines and are verified by UL.

Conductor: Twisted Stranded Bare Copper

Insulation: PVC/TFN

Shield: Overall Shield

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Click here

Color Code for K1 parts: Black, White, Red

VNTC Shld 14 AWG – 10 AWG

Application: Shielded TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for process and control signals. Shielding protects the signal from eletrostatic noise and crosstalk. They can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried. Rated for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.

Conductor: Twisted Stranded bare copper

Insulation: PVC/THHN

Shield: Overall shield

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

VNTC Multi-Pair SP/OS 18 AWG – 16 AWG

Shielded TC-ER instrumentation cables are used in 600 volt applications for process and control signals. Shielding protects the signal from electrostatic noise and cross talk. They can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried. Rated sunlight resistant for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: PVC/TFFN

Shield: Individually shielded pairs Overall shield

Jacket: Sunlight Resistant PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Method 9: Black and white pairs with printed numbers

VNTC Multi-Pair SP/OS – 14 AWG

Shielded TC-ER instrumentation cables are used in 600 volt applications for process and control signals. Shielding protects the signal from electrostatic noise and cross talk. They can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried. Rated for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: PVC/THHN-2

Shield: Individually shielded pairs Overall shield

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Method 9: Black and white pairs with printed numbers

VNTC – 18 AWG

TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for power and control signals. It can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried. Rated for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: PVC/TFFN

Jacket: Nylon/PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

VNTC – 16 AWG

TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for power and control signals. It can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried. Rated for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: PVC/TFFN

Jacket: Nylon/PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

VNTC – 14 AWG

TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for power and control signals. It can be installed in ducts, trays, conduit and direct buried and used as round submersible pump cable. Rated UV resistant for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.  UL listed.

Conductor: Stranded Bare Copper

Insulation: PVC/THHN/THWN

Jacket: Nylon/PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Click here

VNTC - 12 AWG

TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600 volt applications for power and control signals. It can be installed in ducts, trays,conduit and direct buried and used as round submersible pump cable. Rated UV resistant for Class 1, Div 2 hazardouslocations. UL listed.

Conductor: Stranded Bare Copper

Insulation: PVC/THHN/THWN

Jacket: Nylon/PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Click here

VNTC – 10 AWG

TC-ER cable (VNTC) is used in 600-volt applications for power and control signals. It can be installed in ducts, wire ways, trays, conduit, direct burial, or exposed runs between cable trays and utilization equipment as well as Joist Pull (JP) applications in accordance with NEC 336.10 (&).. These products are also wet/dry UL rated and suitable for use as round submersible pump cable. Rated UV resistant for Class 1, Div 2 hazardous locations.  UL listed. 

Conductor: Stranded Bare Copper

Insulation: PVC/THHN/THWN

Jacket: Nylon/PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code:Click here

VNGTC 8 AWG – 500 MCM

Application: General purpose cable for use in primary power and feeder circuits in a broad range of commercial and industrial applications. Approved for installation indoors or outdoors aerially, in conduits, ducts, cable trays, or direct burial in circuits not exceeding 600 volts. May be used in NEC Class I and II, Division 2 hazardous locations. UL approved for use in continuous operation at 90° in wet and dry locations, 105°C for short circuit conditions.

Conductors: Soft bare annealed copper per ASTM B-3, Class B stranding per ASTM B-8

Insulation: Flame-retardant PVC per UL Standard 83 for Type THHN or THWN wire

Insulation Jacket: Clear nylon per UL Standard 83 for Type THHN or THWN wire

Grounding Conductor: Soft bare annealed copper per ASTM B-3, Class B stranding per ASTM B-8 sized in accordance with UL Standard 1277

Jacket: Sunlight-resistant PVC per UL Standard 1277

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: ICEA Method 4  |  Click here

Additional Standards: UL Type TC per Article 336 of the NEC | UL Type TC-ER Rated for Exposed Run

XLPTC – 14 AWG

Application: XLP/PVC tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. It can be direct buried or installed in cable trays.  This product has a XHHW-2 rating. TC-ER rated.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: XLP (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

XLPTC – 12 AWG

Application: XLP/PVC tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. It can be direct buried or installed in cable trays.  This product has a XHHW-2 rating. TC-ER rated.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: XLP (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

XLPTC – 10 AWG

Application: XLP/PVC tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. It can be direct buried or installed in cable trays.  This product has a XHHW-2 rating. TC-ER rated.

Conductor: Stranded bare copper

Insulation: XLP (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

XLPGTC 8 AWG – 750 MCM

Application: XLP/PVC tray cables with a non-insulated copper ground are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. XLP/PVC tray cable can be direct buried or installed in cable trays. This versatile item can also be installed both indoors and outdoors. This product has a XHHW-2 rating. TC-ER rated.

Insulation: XLP (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

Jacket: PVC

Flame Test: IEEE 1202 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

FREPGTC 8 AWG – 750 MCM

Application: FR-EP (EPR or XLP/CPE) tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. FR-EP tray cable can be direct buried or installed in cable trays. This versatile item can also be installed both indoors and outdoors. This product has a XHHW-2 rating and individual conductors are VW-1 rated.

Conductor: Stranded tinned copper

Insulation: EPR or XLP

Jacket: Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Code: Method 4 (M4) – A neutral or single-colored insulation compound is surface ink printed with conductor number to provide positive conductor identification through 21 conductors. The identification sequence is repeated for cables containing more than 21 conductors.

Color Code: Click here

FREP TC – 14 AWG

Application: FR-EP (EPR or XLP/CPE) tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commerical markets where additional flame retardance is required. FR-EP tray cable can be direct buried or installed in cable trays. This versatile item can also be installed both indoors and outdoors. This product has a XHHW-2 rating and individual conductors are VW-1 rated.

Conductor: Stranded tinned copper

Insulation: EPR or XLP

Jacket: Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) | Gas/Oil Resistant

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

FREP TC – 12 AWG

Application: FR-EP (EPR or XLP/CPE) tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commerical markets where additional flame retardance is required. FR-EP tray cable can be direct buried or installed in cable trays. This versatile item can also be installed both indoors and outdoors. This product has a XHHW-2 rating and individual conductors are VW-1 rated.

Conductor: Stranded tinned copper

Insulation: EPR or XLP

Jacket: Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) | Gas/Oil Resistant

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

FREP TC – 10 AWG

Application: FR-EP (EPR or XLP/CPE) tray cables are used in power and control applications in the industrial and commercial markets where additional flame retardance is required. FR-EP tray cable can be direct buried or installed in cable trays. This versatile item can also be installed both indoors and outdoors. This product has an XHHW-2 rating and individual conductors are VW-1 rated.

Conductor: Stranded tinned copper

Insulation: EPR or XLP

Jacket: Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) | Gas/Oil Resistant

Flame Test: IEEE 1202/FT4 70,000 BTU/hour flame test

Color Code: Click here

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