RHH/RHW-2/USE-2 ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR(UL)

CHARACTERISTICS

I. Conductor and Insulation System

1.Conductor: Aluminum conductor manufactured from AA-8000 series aluminum alloy, which offers improved creep resistance and connection stability compared to older AA-1350 aluminum, reducing the risk of loose connections over time.

2.Conductor Form: Available in solid or stranded construction, with stranded conductors typically compacted to reduce overall diameter and ease installation into conduit or duct.

3.Insulation: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation, providing high dielectric strength, strong resistance to moisture absorption, and good mechanical toughness for both above-ground and underground use.

4.Multi-Rating Design: The insulation and construction are engineered to simultaneously meet the requirements of three UL designations — RHH, RHW-2, and USE-2 — allowing a single cable to be used across dry, wet, and direct burial applications without needing separate products.

II. Temperature and Voltage Rating

1.Temperature Rating: Rated for continuous operation at 90°C in both wet and dry locations, providing a higher ampacity allowance compared to 75°C or 60°C rated cables of the same conductor size.

2.Wet Location Performance: The RHW-2 and USE-2 designations confirm the cable maintains its insulation integrity and rated performance even in continuously wet or submerged conditions, which is not the case for standard RHH-only rated cable.

3.Voltage Rating: Typically rated at 600V, suitable for low voltage service entrance, feeder, and branch circuit applications in residential, commercial, and utility distribution systems.

III. Direct Burial and Underground Service Application

1.USE-2 Rating: The USE-2 designation specifically qualifies the cable for direct burial installation as underground service entrance cable, without requiring conduit, provided local code permits.

2.Moisture Resistance: The XLPE insulation resists water absorption and degradation over long-term burial, helping to maintain insulation resistance and dielectric strength throughout the cable's service life.

3.Common Use Case: Frequently selected for underground residential distribution (URD) systems, service laterals from utility transformers to meter bases, and other underground low-voltage feeder applications.

IV. Sunlight and Weather Resistance

1.Sunlight Resistant Rating: The insulation compound includes UV stabilizers, allowing the cable to be used in exposed outdoor locations — such as service entrance risers or above-ground transitions — without rapid degradation from sun exposure.

2.Outdoor Durability: The combination of moisture resistance and UV stability makes the cable suitable for exposed runs on the exterior of buildings, weatherheads, and meter base connections, in addition to underground sections.

3.Wide Application Range: This dual above-ground and below-ground durability allows a single cable type to be used continuously from the underground service run through to the above-ground service entrance point.

V. Mechanical and Handling Characteristics

1.Flexibility: Stranded aluminum construction provides sufficient flexibility for routing through conduit bends and tight installation spaces, compared to solid conductor of the same gauge.

2.Lightweight Advantage: Aluminum conductor is significantly lighter than an equivalent copper conductor, which reduces cable weight, eases handling on site, and can lower installation labor for long runs.

3.Standard Compliance: Manufactured and tested to UL 854 (USE-2) and UL 44 (RHH/RHW-2) standards, ensuring the cable meets recognized safety and performance benchmarks for use in the United States and other jurisdictions that reference UL listings.

VI. Available Configurations

1.Conductor Sizing: Available across a wide range of AWG and kcmil sizes to suit residential branch circuits through larger feeder and service entrance applications.

2.Conductor Type: Solid or stranded aluminum, depending on application and installation method.

3.Application Fit: Well suited to projects requiring a single cable product capable of covering underground burial, conduit runs, and above-ground exposed sections without switching cable types.