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Procurement guide

Building Cable Procurement Guide: THHN, XHHW-2, MC and Tray Cable

A useful building cable enquiry starts with a cable schedule, rather than a photograph or a generic request for UL cable. Define the required designation, conductor material and installation conditions so quotations can be compared on the same basis.

Choose the cable family before comparing prices

THHN/THWN-2 building wire, XHHW-2 wire, MC cable and tray cable are separate purchasing categories. Identify the type named in the project specification. For MC, define armour, circuit conductors and grounding; for tray cable, include the required cable marking and installation route. A similar-looking cable is not a substitute for the specified construction.

Make each cable schedule line complete

Record conductor material, AWG/kcmil or metric size, conductor count, grounding, insulation designation, voltage, colours and quantity. State whether lengths are total quantities or individual reel lengths. Include any required jacket, shielding or armour rather than leaving these as assumptions.

Document the destination and installation

State the destination, installation requirements, required markings and manufacturer documentation for the selected product. Include the consultant or owner specification and any required listing. The destination alone does not determine which cable construction will be accepted.

Review the proposed product before ordering

Compare the supplier datasheet and proposed marking with the schedule. Ask for the applicable manufacturer documentation for the offered type. Confirm reel lengths, tolerances, packaging, inspection requirements and delivery terms in the quotation.

Send a quotation package

Send the cable schedule or BOQ, destination, installation requirements, required standards and editions, quantity and delivery date. SHEENYI can review building-wire, MC and tray-cable enquiries against the requested construction. Availability and documentation are confirmed for the proposed product.

Discuss your project

Send your specification, quantities and delivery destination for a product review and quotation.

Send your project requirements