Which type of tracer wire is perfect for your next job?
Tracer Wire
GAS | WATER | FIBER | SEWER
Tracer Wire is a single conductor wire laid alongside pipes during installation. The insulations are high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) that provides excellent abrasion, crush, chemical, oil, and moisture resistance. The wire carries a radio signal to help find the line later or to detect before digging. The wire is copper coated with insulation that provides excellent resistance to abrasion, crush, chemical, oil, and moisture resistance. Tracer wire lasts longer and is less dangerous than its counterpart, THHN wire.
Underground tracer wire is a type of tracer wire used for direct burial applications. Another popular type is pipeline tracer wire, a single conductor wire that is intended to carry a radio signal to aid in the location of buried pipelines.
Construction
Conductor: The conductor is a solid or stranded copper per spec ASTM B-1, B-3, or B-8
Insulation: Insulation is yellow, high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), conforms to ASTM D-1248
Insulation Types
low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
medium density polyethylene (MDPE)
high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Features
Size: 14 – 6 AWG (American Wire Gauge)
Temperature: Operating temperature 70° C dry and wet
Voltage Rating: 20 mil – 30 through 300 volts 30 mil – 30 through 300 volts 45 mil – 600 volts
Industry Applications
Contractors
Gas and oil distributors
Water and sewage departments
Telecommunications companies
Government agencies
Printing
Standard – surface printing indicates manufacturer, conductor size, insulation type
Uniform Color Code for Marking Underground Facilities
White = Proposed Excavation Pink = Temporary Survey Red = Electrical Power Yellow = Gas, Oil, Dangerous Materials, Product Lines Orange = Communication, Cable Television, Fiber Optics Blue = Water Systems Purple = Reclaimed Water Green = Sanitary Sewer Systems
TW/THW Tracer Wire
Underground Tracer Wire is also referred to as either TW Wire or THW Wire. TW Wire is a thermoplastic, water-resistant, wire. THW wire is similar, but with heat resistance. This wire, when combined with its polymerizing vinyl chloride (PVC) insulation, can function properly in temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Performance offers this tracer wire from 8 AWG to 14 AWG (American Wire Gauge). TW/THW Wire is used in residential and industrial machine wiring circuits such as refrigeration equipment, washing machines, and HVAC units.
These two wires are NOT interchangeable! Tracer wire, when used as an underground locating wire, possesses many favorable characteristics that THHN wire does not. Tracer wire is much more resistant to liquids, harmful chemicals, corrosion, and more thanks to its PVC insulation. As a result, tracer wire lasts much longer than THHN wire and can prevent potentially dangerous accidents from occurring.
Tracer Wire Specifications
This specification describes a single solid or stranded copper conductor tracer wire. It is intended to carry a radio signal to aid in the location of buried plastic pipes. The electric wire tracer may be identified by surface printing, indicating manufacturer and/or conductor size. Custom legends are available.
Solid/Stranded Copper Conductor
Insulation
Finished Product
AWG
Str
Diameter (in.)
HDPE (in.)
Diameter (in.)
Lbs/Mft
Standard Put-up (ft.)
Ship Package (ft.)
16
SOL
0.0508
0.020
0.091
9.6
500
2000
16
SOL
0.0508
0.03o
0.111
10.1
500
2000
16
SOL
0.0508
0.045
0.141
13.3
500
2000
14
SOL
0.0641
0.020
0.104
15.3
500
2000
14
SOL
0.0641
0.030
0.124
16.8
500
2000
14
SOL
0.0641
0.045
0.154
19.5
500
2000
14
7
0.0726
0.020
0.113
15.6
500
2000
14
7
0.0726
0.030
0.133
17.1
500
2000
14
7
0.0726
0.045
0.163
15.9
500
2000
12
SOL
0.0808
0.020
0.121
23.7
500
2000
12
SOL
0.0808
0.030
0.141
24.5
500
2000
12
SOL
0.0808
0.045
0.171
27.4
500
2000
12
7
0.0915
0.020
0.132
24
500
200
12
7
0.0915
0.030
0.152
24.8
500
2000
12
7
0.0915
0.045
0.182
27.7
500
2000
10
SOL
0.1019
0.030
0.162
39.3
500
2000
10
SOL
0.1019
0.045
0.192
43
500
2000
10
7
0.116
0.030
0.176
39.9
500
1000
10
7
0.116
0.045
0.206
43.6
500
1000
10
19
0.117
0.045
0.207
43.6
500
1000
8
SOL
0.1285
0.030
0.189
56
500
1000
8
SOL
0.1285
0.045
0.220
60
500
1000
8
7
0.146
0.030
0.206
57
500
1000
8
7
0.146
0.045
0.236
61
500
1000
6
SOL
0.162
0.030
0.222
92.4
500
500
6
SOL
0.162
0.045
0.252
97
500
500
6
7
0.184
0.030
0.244
94
500
500
6
7
0.184
0.045
0.274
98.6
500
500
4
SOL
0.204
0.030
0.264
135.5
500
500
4
SOL
0.204
0.045
0.294
140.8
500
500
4
7
0.232
0.030
0.292
139.1
500
500
4
7
0.232
0.045
0.322
145.1
500
500
Tracer Wire FAQ’s
What is an underground tracer wire?
Underground tracer wire, sometimes known as electrical wire tracer, is used to accurately locate underground pipes and lines. The electrical wire tracer is laid alongside the pipes or lines during installation in order to find them at a later date for safe digging.
What are tracer wires used for?
Tracer wires are used for wiring circuits, appliances, machine tools, HVAC (air conditioning) units and much more. Because of tracer wires extreme resistance to corrosion, abrasion, chemicals, heat, moisture and more, is perfect for underground use. Hence the term “underground tracer wire.” Find out more HERE.
What is the difference between tracer wire and THHN?
Tracer wire’s primary use is to locate buried water/gas pipes and fiber optic cables. It is often referred to as underground locator, locating wire, electric wire tracer and more. Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon (THHN) is also used in machine tooling and some appliances, but its main claim to fame is being the most popular type of building wire. In simpler terms, THHN wires transmit electricity throughout buildings. For more information, click HERE.
How is tracer wire used in the telecommunications industry?
Telecommunication companies bury their cables underground and run them directly into homes and buildings. If it weren’t for tracer wire, people would not have a clue as to where these lines are located.
Tracer Wire Resources
Different Types of Tracer Wire – This article will help you decide which type of tracer wire is perfect for your next job.
