What is AWM cable?

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AWM (Appliance Wiring Material) cables are defined by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as an appliance wiring material. These wire types support a range of cable configurations across industries and applications, and many continuous flexible cables are manufactured to UL AWM standards.

AWM CABLE
AWM Cable

Key features of AWM cables

  • Flexible Conductors: AWM cables use stranded copper or aluminum conductors. This makes the cable more straightforward to work with and route while reducing the risk of conductor damage.
  • Durable Jacket: AWM cables feature a durable jacket to protect the insulation and conductors from damage. The jacket is typically made of PVC, nylon, or other abrasion-resistant, moisture-resistant, and chemical-resistant materials.
  • Temperature Resistance: AWM cables are engineered to withstand a wide temperature range, ensuring optimal performance in extreme heat or cold environments. This characteristic guarantees consistent reliability even under harsh conditions.

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Applications for AWM Cables

AWM cables are widely used in demanding electronic equipment and electrical systems due to their reliability, durability, and safety.

Typical applications are listed below:

  • Internal Connections: AWM cables connect components within electronic equipment, such as motherboards, graphics cards, hard disk drives, and memory cards.
  • External connections: AWM cables connect electronic equipment to external devices such as monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, CNC machines, etc.
  • Power Transmission: AWM cables transmit power from a power supply to a motherboard or electronic component.
  • Signal transmission: AWM cables transmit data and signals from sensors to control systems or computers to network devices.
  • Safety and protection: AWM cables are often flame-retardant and heat-resistant to prevent fires and malfunctions.

AWM style categories

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classifies each AWM variant into one of five categories. Each category is defined by several characteristics, including the number of conductors, whether a jacket is included, and whether the insulation and jacket are thermoset or thermoplastic.

The following is a list of UL AWM style subdivisions, the meaning of each category, and some common examples:

  • Part 1 (1000-1999; 10000+) – Single conductor, thermoplastic insulation
  • Part 2 (2000-2999; 20000+) – Multi-conductor, thermoplastic insulators and jacketing
  • Part 3 (3000-3999) – Single conductor, thermoset insulation
  • Part 4 (4000-4999) – Multi-conductor thermoset insulated sheathed wire
  • Part 5 (5000-5999) – Single Conductor and Multi-Conductor Specialties

Complexity of AWM Styles

Because of the many AWM styles available, the subject matter can quickly become very complex. Different types of AWM wire may have different temperature ratings, voltage ratings, insulation types, colors, sizes, and lengths.

Different types of AWM wire may have different UL numbers, which further complicates matters. For example, UL 1007 wire is a common AWM wire type with a 300 V voltage rating and an 80 °C temperature rating. UL 1015 wire is another common AWM wire type with a 600 V voltage rating and a 105 °C temperature rating.

Importance of Choosing the Right AWM Wire

Choosing the appropriate type of AWM wire for your application is essential to ensure it meets your requirements and complies with applicable safety standards. If you are unsure which AWM wire is right for your application, consult a qualified professional.

Romtronic’s Expertise in AWM Cable Assemblies

Romtronic is a UL-listed company with a team of specialized engineers and manufacturing technicians capable of producing a diverse range of compliant AWM cable assemblies. If you need assistance selecting the appropriate AWM wire for your application, don’t hesitate to contact Romtronic for expert guidance.

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