Electrical Wire Insulation Melting Temperature

A full load wire does heat up due to the metallic resistance of the wire.

Electrical wire insulation melting temperature.

The temperature rating of a wire or cable is generally the maximum safe temperature that the wire can carry full load power without the cable insulation melting oxidizing or self igniting. During the historical development of cables numerous types of insulation have been employed. During recent years there has been some consolidation. First priority is the insulation protection not only in the particular cycle of operation melt etc but also in long term operation.

Whilst this particular problem can be caused by a range of issues the damage to the cable itself would attract as a minimum a c2 potentially dangerous code on an electrical inspection. Insulation degrade each time that the temperature over the specs maximum temperature shorten their life. Cross linked is designed to handle higher temperatures. The operating temperature of an electrical cable normally refers to the minimum and maximum temperature that the cable can safely operate at for a sustained period of time.

This operating temperature is determined by the insulation and or sheathing material around the cable. Any thermal damage melting or scorching within an electrical installation is very serious and should be rectified as a matter of urgency. Once exposed to operating heat this insulation is more easily melted. Cable insulation is used to provide electrical separation between conductors of a cable.

Wire temperature limits sets first for safety reasons then to ensure circuit operation. The wire then gets hotter making the outer plastic coating soft and therefore weaker which strengthens the electrical field eventually causing the coating to melt. This could even give rise to a c1 danger present code if the. Wires so hot you can t touch them aren t good.

Melt temperature o c 140 140 140 140. Pvc wire features an extruded insulation that is applied while running it through a die onto the wire strand package.