AL RHW-2 600V

600 V Aluminum RHW-2 XLPE-Insulated Wire

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

AL RHW-2 600V is a high-performance aluminum single-conductor wire designed for power distribution, feeder circuits, branch circuits, and general electrical installations. It features a compact stranded 8000 Series aluminum conductor and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation.

The RHW-2 designation provides a 90°C temperature rating for both wet and dry locations, making this wire suitable for a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial, and utility electrical applications where permitted by the applicable electrical code and product listing requirements.

The XLPE insulation provides excellent resistance to moisture, heat, abrasion, and common environmental stresses while maintaining reliable electrical performance throughout the service life of the installation.

APPLICATIONS

AL RHW-2 600V is commonly used for:

• Feeder and branch-circuit wiring

• Power distribution systems

• Residential electrical installations

• Commercial buildings

• Industrial facilities

• Service and feeder applications

• Raceway and conduit installations

• Cable trays where permitted

• Wet and dry locations

• Underground or outdoor installations where permitted

• Electrical equipment connections

• Utility and infrastructure projects

• Renewable energy and auxiliary power systems

STANDARDS

The product can be manufactured to applicable requirements for:

• UL 44 – Thermoset-Insulated Wires and Cables

• ASTM B800 – 8000 Series Aluminum Wire for Electrical Purposes

• ASTM B801 – Compact 8000 Series Aluminum Conductors

• NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC), where applicable

• Applicable UL requirements for RHW-2 insulated conductors

• Applicable federal, state, local, and project-specific electrical requirements

Actual certification, listing, conductor construction, and permissible applications shall be confirmed according to the specific product configuration and project requirements.

RATED VOLTAGE

600 V

TEMPERATURE RATING

• 90°C maximum operating temperature in wet locations

• 90°C maximum operating temperature in dry locations

• Lower temperature limitations may apply depending on installation conditions and termination equipment.

CONDUCTOR

The conductor is manufactured from 8000 Series aluminum alloy and is typically stranded and compacted to provide an optimized balance of conductivity, flexibility, weight, and installation performance.

Conductor Features

• 8000 Series aluminum alloy

• Stranded construction

• Compact stranded conductor

• Lightweight alternative to copper

• Good electrical conductivity

• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio

• Suitable for large-size feeder and distribution applications

• Compatible with properly rated aluminum conductor terminations

INSULATION

Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE)

The conductor is insulated with high-quality cross-linked polyethylene designed for electrical power distribution applications.

Insulation Features

• 90°C wet and dry temperature rating

• Excellent dielectric strength

• Good moisture resistance

• Good thermal stability

• Excellent resistance to abrasion

• Good resistance to environmental stresses

• Long-term electrical reliability

• Suitable for demanding installation environments

CONSTRUCTION

TYPICAL CONDUCTOR SIZES

Typical sizes may include:

Other conductor sizes are available according to project requirements.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MECHANICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

AL RHW-2 600V is designed to provide reliable performance under demanding installation conditions.

Key Performance Characteristics

• Moisture resistant

• Heat resistant

• Abrasion resistant

• Good mechanical strength

• Excellent thermal stability

• Good resistance to environmental aging

• Lightweight construction

• Easy handling compared with equivalent copper conductors

• Suitable for long feeder runs

• Suitable for large electrical distribution systems

INSTALLATION

AL RHW-2 600V may be installed in applications permitted by the applicable electrical code and product listing.

Typical installation methods include:

• Conduit

• Raceway

• Electrical enclosures

• Cable trays where permitted

• Feeder systems

• Distribution equipment

• Underground raceway systems

• Outdoor electrical systems where permitted

All terminations and connections should use components specifically rated for aluminum conductors and the applicable conductor size.

Proper preparation of aluminum conductors, including the use of approved connection methods and termination hardware, is essential for reliable long-term performance.

ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR

Compared with copper conductors of equivalent ampacity, aluminum provides several practical advantages:

• Lower conductor weight

• Lower material cost

• Easier transportation and handling

• Reduced installation labor for large conductors

• Good conductivity-to-weight ratio

• Excellent suitability for large feeder applications

Properly rated connectors, lugs, and termination systems must be used for aluminum conductors.

KEY FEATURES

• 600 V rated

• RHW-2 insulation designation

• 90°C wet and dry rating

• 8000 Series aluminum conductor

• Compact stranded construction

• XLPE insulation

• Moisture resistant

• Heat resistant

• Lightweight

• Suitable for feeder and distribution systems

• Available in a wide range of AWG and kcmil sizes

• Suitable for residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects

QUALITY CONTROL

Each production batch can be subject to strict quality control procedures, including:

• Raw material inspection

• Aluminum conductor dimensional inspection

• Conductor resistance testing

• Insulation thickness measurement

• Insulation diameter inspection

• Spark testing

• High-voltage testing

• Physical and mechanical testing

• Finished-product dimensional inspection

• Marking and packaging inspection

Testing requirements can be adjusted according to the applicable standard, customer specification, and project requirements.

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Typical product marking may include:

AL RHW-2 600V [SIZE]

Example:

AL RHW-2 600V 4/0 AWG

Additional markings may include manufacturer identification, conductor size, voltage rating, temperature designation, certification marks, sequential footage markings, and other information required by the applicable product standard.

PACKAGING

Depending on conductor size and customer requirements, AL RHW-2 600V may be supplied on:

• Wooden reels

• Plywood reels

• Steel reels

• Returnable reels

• Custom-length reels

• Customer-specified packaging

Standard or customized reel lengths can be provided for project requirements.

CUSTOMIZATION

The product can be customized according to project specifications, including:

• Conductor size

• Conductor construction

• Insulation thickness

• Insulation color

• Printing and marking

• Reel length

• Packaging method

• Certification requirements

• Inspection requirements

• Customer-specific technical specifications

PRODUCT SUMMARY

AL RHW-2 600V is a 600 V aluminum power wire featuring an 8000 Series aluminum conductor and XLPE insulation. With a 90°C rating for wet and dry locations, it provides a reliable and economical solution for feeders, branch circuits, power distribution systems, and other electrical installations.

Its lightweight construction, moisture resistance, thermal performance, and wide size availability make it particularly suitable for large-scale electrical distribution projects where aluminum conductors are preferred.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What does RHW-2 mean?

RHW-2 is an insulation designation indicating a thermoset-insulated conductor suitable for specified electrical applications, with a 90°C temperature rating in both wet and dry locations.

2. What is the voltage rating of AL RHW-2?

The standard product configuration covered by this manual is rated at 600 V.

3. Is AL RHW-2 suitable for wet locations?

Yes. RHW-2 insulation is designed for use in wet and dry locations within the limitations of the applicable product listing and electrical code.

4. What aluminum is used for the conductor?

The conductor is typically manufactured from 8000 Series aluminum alloy intended for electrical applications.

5. Is the conductor solid or stranded?

AL RHW-2 is generally manufactured as a stranded compact aluminum conductor, particularly for medium and large conductor sizes.

6. What is the maximum operating temperature?

The RHW-2 designation provides a 90°C maximum operating temperature under the applicable conditions.

7. Can AL RHW-2 be used for feeder applications?

Yes. It is commonly used for feeder, branch-circuit, and power distribution applications where the specific installation is permitted.

8. Can AL RHW-2 be installed in conduit?

Yes. Conduit and raceway installations are common applications, subject to applicable electrical code requirements.

9. Is AL RHW-2 lighter than copper cable?

Yes. Aluminum has a significantly lower density than copper, making equivalent-size aluminum conductors substantially lighter and easier to handle.

10. Can aluminum conductors use standard copper terminals?

Not necessarily. Termination equipment must be specifically listed or rated for aluminum conductors and suitable for the conductor size and application.

11. What sizes are available?

The product can be manufactured in a broad range of AWG and kcmil sizes, from smaller building-wire sizes through large feeder conductors.

12. Can the cable be customized?

Yes. Conductor size, insulation color, marking, reel length, packaging, testing, and other technical requirements can be customized according to project specifications.

13. Is AL RHW-2 suitable for outdoor applications?

It may be used in outdoor applications where the installation method, environmental conditions, product listing, and applicable electrical code permit its use.

14. What is the difference between RHW and RHW-2?

Both designations relate to thermoset-insulated conductors, but RHW-2 provides a 90°C temperature rating in wet locations, while RHW has different temperature-rating requirements depending on the applicable standard and construction.

15. What is the main advantage of AL RHW-2 600V?

Its main advantages are the combination of 600 V capability, 90°C wet/dry temperature rating, XLPE insulation, lightweight 8000 Series aluminum construction, and suitability for feeder and power distribution applications.