Quick Hits

Episode 3: XHHW, XHHW-2, and XHH Conductors

SLIDE 1 (HOOK / COVER)

⚡ NEC Quick Hit: Conductor Dimensions (Part 3 - XHHW & XHH) ⚡

Pulling cross-linked polyethylene insulation? XHHW and XHHW-2 have slightly different outer diameters than THHN. Let's look at Table 5 for industrial and commercial XHHW wire! 👇

SLIDE 2 (SMALL & MEDIUM XHHW: #14 to #1)

XHHW / XHHW-2 Dimensions (#14 to #1):

• #14 AWG: Area: 0.0139 in² | OD: 0.133 in.

• #12 AWG: Area: 0.0181 in² | OD: 0.152 in.

• #10 AWG: Area: 0.0243 in² | OD: 0.176 in.

• #8 AWG: Area: 0.0437 in² | OD: 0.236 in.

• #6 AWG: Area: 0.0590 in² | OD: 0.274 in.

• #4 AWG: Area: 0.0814 in² | OD: 0.322 in.

• #2 AWG: Area: 0.1146 in² | OD: 0.382 in.

SLIDE 3 (LARGE XHHW FEEDERS: 1/0 to 500 kcmil)

XHHW Feeder Dimensions:

• 1/0 AWG: Area: 0.1825 in² | OD: 0.482 in.

• 2/0 AWG: Area: 0.2190 in² | OD: 0.528 in.

• 4/0 AWG: Area: 0.3197 in² | OD: 0.638 in.

• 250 kcmil: Area: 0.3904 in² | OD: 0.705 in.

• 350 kcmil: Area: 0.5166 in² | OD: 0.811 in.

• 500 kcmil: Area: 0.6984 in² | OD: 0.943 in.

SLIDE 4 (WRAP-UP)

💡 Apprentice Pro-Tip: XHHW-2 insulation handles higher wet/dry temperature ratings ($90^\circ\text{C}$) and often has a slightly different OD profile than THHN. Always verify the letter designation printed on the jacket before pulling numbers from Chapter 9!

💬 Save this post for your next industrial spec sheet review!

🔗 More code breakdowns at www.JoshTheSparky.com

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