Wiring is an essential part of every home. It delivers electricity used in heating, lighting, and ventilation. However, due to the high risks involved with electricity, your home should be rigged with well insulated, heat resistant, and long-lasting wires. This is where RHW comes in.
These wires are certified by National Electric Code to be used in general wiring due to their clean safety record. The copper conductor is in a well-insulated coat made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). XLPE is also a flame retardant material with excellent insulation properties. Let us tear down the wire bit by bit and discover what the acronym RHW stands for and places where it can be used.
R – Rubber insulation
A rubber insulator represented by R. covers the outermost layer of the wire. As we have already stated above, the insulator is a well-designed and robust coat that protects homeowners from electric shocks and guarantees longevity.
H- Heat resistant
Most cables operate under blazing conditions despite most homes having fairly stable temperatures. In this case, the H in RHW comes in hand with heat-resistant features. RHW’s heat-resisting properties enable the cable to withstand unbearable temperatures of up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit.
This heat-resisting property gives the cable ago ahead to be used in deserts and on the roofs where temperatures are usually high.
W- Water-resistant
Lastly, safe wires should be water-resistant because, at home, we interact with water everywhere, from the kitchen to the bathrooms. The efficient cross-linked polyethylene on RHW cables is water-resistant. This means you can use the cable in waterlogged areas and underground locations as well as inside the bathroom and wells to power the water pump.
In addition, the W is a green light that you can use the cable in the presence of various liquids other than water. For instance, the wire can be used in labs and garages with chemical solutions and oil, respectively.
RHW and RHW2: what are their differences?
With only a number differentiating these two acronyms, most people tend to confuse one from the other. In our simple explanation, RHW can withstand temperatures of up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit while the latter endures punishing heat of up to 194 degrees Fahrenheit
Though both RHW and RHW2 are built to serve in waterlogged areas, the RHW2 cable has stronger properties than its brother. The cable is suitable for direct burial in wet tropical soils or soggy marshlands. So if you want a promising cable, RHW2 is a sure deal. It has superseded RHW with its superb heat-resistant qualities and a formidable punch against the elements.
Applications
Specifically built for lighting and general power application, RHW cables are used in raceways, underground ducts, and basements. Some homeowners also use them to power security lights and in other aerial projects such as powering internet antennas.
The RHW cable is a high-performing wire with elegant characteristics that enables it to survive under waterlogged areas and in deserts. Purchasing these cables assures you a steady supply of power for decades.