Is THW Wire The Same As THHN And

Well, the answer to the question posed above is definitely no. THW wires are not the same as THHN wires. However, it is quite understandable why the two electrical wires may be mistakenly construed to be the same considering they share certain similarities. What is the difference between THW vs. THHN?

Well, THHN stands for Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated wire. Unlike the THW wire which is suited for both dry and wet locations, the THHN wire is suited for dry locations only and can withstand temperatures up to 900 Celsius. It can be used in machine tools wiring, control circuits and certain specific appliances. Consequently, if you intend to use a THHN in electronic appliance wiring, you should make some inquiries and ensure that it is applicable for your electronic appliance.

In most instances, the size of a particular THW wire is on its insulation. Thus, it is advisable to check for any written text on the insulation material when purchasing a wire. If you do not see any written text on the THW wire insulation, you should ask the electrical shop steward to tell you the size of the wire before buying it. Why is it important to confirm the size of the wire? Well, just like any other electrical wire, if you use a THW-type wire that is too small for your wiring needs, the wire will melt due to the excess current flowing through it.

There are several THW wire sizes that you could choose from. Each size is designed to withstand a specific amount of current passing through it. Assuming that you intend to use the wire for the internal wiring of an amplifier if you fail to choose the correct size of wire, the amplifier will not receive the necessary voltage that is needed for it to perform optimally. So, to put it in simple and clear terms, the size of the THW wire is one of the most important features that you must consider when shopping for an ideal electrical wire.