[RE-wrenches] USE-2 in white?

[Peter Parrish]

I think we should be careful in two respects:

(1) We have found “black with white stripe” for #10 USE-2. Since we have not
had a use for anything larger than #10, I don’t know if black with a white
stripe is available for larger gauges. It seems intuitive that “black with a
white stripe” should have superior sunlight resistance than “all white”.

(2) The wire with red insulation might actually be “XLP or CPE” wire, rated
USE-2. The “XLP/CLP” is a polyethylene-based not a rubber-based compound.

One thing I like about the XLP/CPE is that it is slicker than cat shit (and
with a smaller OD for same wire gauge), much easier to pull in conduit even
for the short distances that we typically have between PV modules and the
first j-box.

- Peter

Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
California Solar Engineering, Inc.
820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
peter.parrish at calsolareng.com  
Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885

 
________________________________________
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Allan
Sindelar
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 10:20 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] USE-2 in white?

It's been years since we ordered it, but we got black, red and white from
Anixter, 1-800-538-5431. Our rep Johnny X2832.
The white fades in our intense sun, but is still adequately gray/white after
15 years.
Allan Sindelar
Allan at positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com

On 8/2/2010 10:40 AM, Mick Abraham wrote: 
The sales rep at a wire mfr recently opined that USE-2 colors other than
black will not have the same sunlight resistance.  

I had some red in the field which faded to pink but still looked OK after a
few years...but that's only after a few years, and only OK. White in the
same installation faded to...white but I still am nervous about using colors
after that conversation. 

The latest batch that I bought is straight black; I believe the black stuff
contains carbon black which is the "secret sauce" for UV resistance. 

Further input from the List would be appreciated. 

Jolliness,

Mick Abraham, Proprietor
www.abrahamsolar.com

Voice: 970-731-4675

On Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 10:32 AM, EcoSolar - Eric Andrews
<eric at ecosolarnow.com> wrote:
YES.  We get ours from PLATT Electric.  Most electric supply houses should
have this wire.  It is definitely nice for your DC source circuits.
 
Eric R. Andrews
NABCEP Certified PV Installer