Wire we buy / XHHW
XHHW and XHHW-2 cable buyers in Virginia
Cross-linked polyethylene insulation is what makes XHHW the default choice for wet locations, feeders and industrial work. That same characteristic is what makes a documented reel worth reviewing carefully rather than by weight.
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XHHW and XHHW-2 appear in Virginia plants, data centres and commercial feeders as single conductors on reels and as multi-conductor assemblies. Both copper and aluminum versions are reviewed. The XHHW-2 suffix matters: it marks a 90°C wet rating, so it is usually the more useful stock.
Constructions we review
- XHHW-2 single conductor, copper or aluminum, #14 through 1,000 kcmil.
- XHHW in 1 kV and 2 kV ratings where the print supports it.
- Multi-conductor XHHW assemblies, including conductors with an overall jacket.
- XHHW used as feeder and subfeed in switchgear, panel and transformer work.
- Harmonised or dual-marked cable where the legend identifies both ratings.
Why insulation type is not a detail
XLPE holds up in wet locations and at higher temperatures than thermoplastic insulation, so a buyer who can reuse XHHW-2 is buying a different product from standard building wire. The print on the jacket is the only thing that proves it. Where the print has faded, the factory tag, the reel colour coding and the original purchase records are the next best evidence — send whichever exist.
Large reels need a loading photograph
XHHW feeder often arrives on reels that weigh more than a pickup can take, sometimes with a steel core. Before an offer can be discussed, the review needs to know whether there is a dock, a forklift with the right capacity, a crane or a roll-off trailer, and whether the reel can be moved at all. A photograph of the reel in its actual position answers most of that.
Reel condition is part of the material. Crushed lagging, a bent steel core, or wire that has been dragged over gravel can disqualify a reel that would otherwise be straightforward. Photograph the damage rather than working around it.
Submitting an XHHW lot
List each size separately with footage, conductor count and metal, note the voltage rating from the print, then add the Virginia city or ZIP and the loading details. Manufacturer names help where several brands are mixed on one pallet.
Questions sellers ask
Questions about this material
Is XHHW the same as XHHW-2?
No. XHHW-2 adds a 90 degrees C wet-location rating. Many modern reels are printed with both, and the print decides which one the lot is treated as.
Do you review XHHW in 1 kV and 2 kV ratings?
Yes, when the jacket print or tag establishes the rating. Medium-voltage cable with a shielded construction is reviewed separately under medium-voltage cable.
Can faded jacket print be handled?
Sometimes. A tag, a purchase record, or a short length of jacket that still shows the legend can carry the review. Where nothing establishes the construction, the lot is treated as unidentified and acceptance is not promised.
Keep reading
Quote request
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Describe the lot as it actually sits. Photos of the reel tag and jacket print do more than any description, and mixed or unidentified cable can still be submitted for review.
Submitting XHHW and XHHW-2 cable in Virginia for review.