CU SER Cable
CU SER Definition
Cu is a Latin abbreviation for Cuprum; Copper. So, CU SER is Copper SER Wire. SER are abbreviations for Service Entrance cable with a Reinforcement tape. There are many types of cables and wire products made specifically for different applications. Power flows all the way from the point of generation to the point where you and I can make use of it, safely, that point is what we refer to as SER; Service Entrance. Ideally, CU SERs are cables made to supply the end user with power, from the pole transformers.
Buying CU SERs
You can get these wires from electrical dealers. The problem is; most dealers out there sell counterfeits. You don’t want something that will fail in a couple of months is a more durable, premium grade—approved cable is an option. Ours are tested, approved and certified. And we sell these per foot, up to 1000 ft. The cable is rated at 600 volts when operating between -40ºC and 90ºC.
Installation of CU SER
On mode of installation, these are majorly above the ground or overhead service entrance cable and wire products. So, if you are looking for an underground (URDs), then this is not it. This type of cable is commonly used as an above the ground feeder which serves power panels and branch circuits.
If you have a transformer on a pole near your house or home, which would most probably be a service drop transformer which steps down voltage to usable amounts. The wire that transmits the current from that transformer to your meter box, and from the meter box to a switch board or panel board is a service entrance cable.
Some Amazing Features of CU SER Wires
Here’s why you’d opt for this cable;
Copper is at the top of conductivity series; meaning, it’s one of the best conductors of electricity. And compared to other conductors, it’s relatively abundant in supply which takes care of the price. Unlike many copper wires which come as brittle solid wires, CU SERs have either bare solid or stranded cores.
Stranding is an important attribute for service wires; here’s why; when a cable is stranded, the core wires are twisted against each other in rope-lay. Stranding serves two key purposes, it improves the surface area for transmission of power and enhances the flex life of the cable. That therefore takes care of the questions on durability and efficiency.
Three, the safety features of these cables are also a big plus to their applications. They have different insulation, color-codes, shield, and Jacket befitting their application as we will see on individual CU SER wires.
Types of CU SER wires
There is a wide variety of copper SERs. You can be sure that there’s one custom made for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Here are descriptions of the most common CU SER wires.
TFFN is a copper building wire made for lighting fixtures. The TFFN is tested and approved for use in powering up light circuits in all kinds of buildings and is commonly referred to as a fixture wire or fixture cable.
It comes in an 18 and 16 AWG sizes, and can handle up to 600volts of power when operating under 900C. The conductors are clothed in reliable insulation and put together in a sturdy jacket.
TFFN CU SER’s closest substitute is TFN, which is more or less the same thing but not stranded; just bare solid copper at the core.
If you’ve got a branch circuits at home or at workplace, the circuit is probably completed by this efficient cable. It often runs through light switches, along the ceiling to outlets among other low voltage applications. It’s rated 600v, when operating at or below 900C.
This cable can have up to four bare solid copper wires. The conductors are covered in a sturdy polyvinyl chloride insulation. This insulation is water tight, resistant to changes in weather, UV light, and abrasion. On top of the sturdy insulation is a tough nylon jacket for extra protection.
Both the insulation and the jacket are color-coded for easy identification during installation.
These are bare copper conductors which are covered in a cross-linked polyethylene insulation. These special service entrance wires are tailored for underground installation by direct burial, provided that the temperature of the underground environment does not exceed 900C; wet or dry.
The XLPE insulation is sturdy and robust effectively protecting the SER conductors from the negative impacts of UV Light, changes in weather, temperature, abrasion, and chemical attacks.
These cables are rated 600 volts.
The only outstanding difference between RHH and RHW SER cables is that RHH has a resistance to HIGH HEAT, while the RHW is customized to resist both Heat and Water.
The renowned application of these cables are industrial, commercial, and residential lighting, raceways, direct burial applications, duct installations and overhead applications. These cables come in AWG sizes ranging from 4AWG to 12AWG.
These are copper service entrance cables which are built for installation in cable conduits. Besides being used as service cables, they are also used as feeder and branch circuit cables among other commercial and industrial applications.
Unlike the former pair of cables, these can operate in higher temperatures of up to 1050C in dry areas.
They can also be used for wiring appliances.
The fundamental difference between THHN and THWN CU SERs are as outlined below:
|
THHN |
THWN |
THWN-2 |
|
T = Thermoplastic |
T = Thermoplastic |
T = Thermoplastic |
Approvals and Certifications
CU SER Cables should be high quality cable and wire products which safely supplies the end user with power. They therefore have to be tested, approved and certified by a number of international standards organizations as appropriate. The CU SERs available at Nassau Electrical are tested, approved and certified by many international organizations. They are certified by;
- NEC
- UL (Standard 66)
- FS
- RoHS
- ASTM
Buying a CU SER
There are many cable outlets out there, physical and online, where you can purchase a CU SER. However, there are also cunning suppliers who sell substandard versions of the cables. When buying a CU SER, you need to take extra care to ensure that the product you are buying is premium grade; approved and certified by authority standards organization, as appropriate.
There are other types of CU SER which may have not been captured in this post. The ones discussed above the most renowned. For more information on CU SER cables, please feel free to get in touch with us today.