UL 1685 XHHW/CPE Type TC Control Cable 600V
UL 1685 referenced XHHW/CPE Type TC Control Cable is a flame-retardant 600V industrial control cable with XHHW-2 FRXLPE-insulated copper conductors and a CPE outer jacket. This landing page focuses on vertical-tray flame propagation and smoke-release performance rather than using UL 1685 as a dimensional or construction standard.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The cable uses stranded bare annealed copper conductors, flame-retardant and moisture-resistant FRXLPE insulation, and a flame-retardant CPE jacket that is also described as moisture- and sunlight-resistant. The base product is a UL 1277 Type TC control cable rated 600V for wet or dry locations up to 90°C.
For fire-performance applications, the product data lists UL 1685 flame exposure at 70,000 Btu/hr. UL 1685 evaluates vertical-tray fire propagation and smoke release from completed cable constructions, so this page emphasizes the tested cable build and the need to preserve the relevant materials and construction when fire performance is a project requirement.
KEY FEATURES
- UL 1685 vertical-tray flame-performance reference.
- Product data references a 70,000 Btu/hr UL flame exposure test.
- Type TC base cable to UL 1277.
- 600V, 90°C wet-or-dry construction.
- XHHW-2 FRXLPE-insulated stranded copper conductors.
- Flame-retardant CPE outer jacket.
- Moisture- and sunlight-resistant jacket construction.
- AWG 14, 12 and 10 parameter schedules.
CABLE CONSTRUCTION
Conductor | Stranded bare annealed copper, 7 strands |
Conductor Sizes | AWG 14, AWG 12 and AWG 10 |
Conductor Type | Type XHHW-2 |
Insulation | Flame-retardant and moisture-resistant Cross-Linked Polyethylene (FRXLPE) |
Outer Jacket | Flame-retardant, moisture- and sunlight-resistant CPE |
Optional Jacket Materials | PVC or LSOH available upon request |
Jacket Colour | Upon request; black preferred |
Voltage Rating | 600V |
Maximum Listed Temperature | 90°C in wet or dry locations |
Screen / Armour | None stated in this construction |
FIRE-PERFORMANCE DESIGN FEATURES
Feature | Relevance to This Product |
FRXLPE Insulation | Flame-retardant and moisture-resistant insulation around each XHHW-2 conductor |
CPE Jacket | Flame-retardant outer jacket; also described as moisture- and sunlight-resistant |
Compact Type TC Construction | Designed for industrial power/control circuits where small-diameter flame-retardant cable is desired |
Tray Application | The base Type TC cable is intended for cable trays and raceways |
70,000 Btu/hr Test Reference | Explicitly stated in the product compliance information for UL 1685 |
Construction Control | Changes to insulation or jacket material should be checked against the applicable fire-performance evidence |
STANDARD REFERENCE & FIRE PERFORMANCE
Item | Details |
Referenced Fire Test | UL 1685 – Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test |
Current Status | Active |
Current Edition | Edition 5 |
Published / ANSI Approved | July 28, 2025 |
Product Test Reference | UL Flame Exposure Test – 70,000 Btu/hr |
Base Product Standard | UL 1277 Type TC Control Cable |
Compliance Note | Where UL 1685 performance is contractual, confirm the test report/listing for the exact cable construction, including conductor size, core count, insulation and jacket materials. |
WHAT UL 1685 MEANS FOR THIS CABLE
UL 1685 is a fire-test standard for completed cables installed in a vertical tray. The current edition evaluates cable damage height and smoke release under the defined flame exposure. It does not define the cable’s conductor size, insulation thickness, jacket thickness or finished dimensions; those values belong to the specific Type TC cable construction shown in the technical table.
PRODUCT APPLICATIONS
- Industrial cable-tray control circuits where flame performance is an explicit project requirement.
- Oil, gas and petrochemical facilities using Type TC control cable.
- Cable trays and raceways in wet or dry industrial locations.
- Outdoor industrial routes where moisture and sunlight resistance are required.
- Direct-burial and Class 1, Division 2 projects where the base cable markings and complete installation requirements are confirmed.
- Projects that call for UL 1685 flame-performance documentation in addition to UL 1277 Type TC product compliance.
IEC 61089 Technical Data
The following schedule reproduces the listed XHHW/CPE Type TC cable dimensions and approximate weights for AWG 14, AWG 12 and AWG 10 constructions.
| AWG | Cores | Jacket in | Jacket mm | OD in | OD mm | Weight lb/kft | Weight kg/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel | 20 | 7/1.90 | 1.90 | 5.70 | 55.3 | 3.42 | 1.394 |
| Gopher | 25 | 7/2.13 | 2.13 | 6.39 | 68.8 | 4.20 | 1.115 |
| Weasel | 30 | 7/2.34 | 2.34 | 7.02 | 82.5 | 5.04 | 0.928 |
| Ferret | 40 | 7/2.70 | 2.70 | 8.10 | 110.0 | 6.72 | 0.696 |
| Rabbit | 50 | 7/3.02 | 3.02 | 9.06 | 137.6 | 8.41 | 0.552 |
| Raccoon | 65 | 7/3.44 | 3.44 | 10.32 | 179.0 | 10.94 | 0.424 |
| Dog | 80 | 7/3.81 | 3.81 | 11.43 | 220.4 | 13.46 | 0.348 |
| Wolf | 100 | 7/4.26 | 4.26 | 12.78 | 275.0 | 16.80 | 0.279 |
| Panther | 125 | 7/4.78 | 4.78 | 14.34 | 343.5 | 21.00 | 0.223 |
| Lion | 150 | 19/3.18 | 3.18 | 15.90 | 413.0 | 25.20 | 0.186 |
| Tiger | 175 | 19/3.43 | 3.43 | 17.15 | 482.0 | 29.40 | 0.160 |
| Bear | 200 | 19/3.66 | 3.66 | 18.30 | 550.0 | 33.60 | 0.140 |
| Goat | 250 | 19/4.09 | 4.09 | 20.45 | 687.0 | 42.00 | 0.112 |
| Sheep | 300 | 37/3.21 | 3.21 | 22.47 | 825.0 | 50.40 | 0.093 |
| Zebra | 400 | 37/3.71 | 3.71 | 25.97 | 1100.0 | 67.20 | 0.070 |
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From Production to Delivery
From raw material preparation to final shipmen, every stage is caretuly controled to ensure consistent conductor quality, reliable pertormance,and sae delivery. Our roduction,
inspection, packaging, and logistics processes are managed in accordance with applicable standards and project requirements.
Production
Stranded bare annealed copper conductors are insulated with FRXLPE, assembled into the required multicore configuration and finished with the specified CPE outer jacket.
Inspection
Inspection focuses on conductor construction, insulation and jacket condition, finished dimensions, cable weight, marking and the project-specific electrical / flame-performance documents required for approval.
Packaging
Finished cable is wound on suitable reels or drums according to cable size, weight and ordered length. Product identification can include standard reference, AWG size, core count, length and project reference.
Shipping
Before shipment, cable identification, packing and requested technical documents are checked against the order. Where fire-performance documentation is required, the applicable test report or certification package should be agreed before production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'flame retardant' mean the cable is fireproof?
No. Flame-retardant materials are intended to limit flame propagation under defined test conditions; they do not make the cable immune to fire. Project fire safety still depends on the specified cable test standard, installation method and the complete fire-protection design.
What does UL 1685 tell me about this control cable?
UL 1685 addresses the cable’s behavior in a vertical-tray flame exposure, including fire propagation and smoke release. It is a performance test for the completed cable construction, not the standard that defines the cable’s AWG size, jacket thickness or overall diameter. Those construction details come from the Type TC product design.
Is UL 1685 the same thing as UL 1277?
No. UL 1277 is the Type TC product standard for the complete electrical power/control tray cable. UL 1685 is a separate fire-performance test. A project may require both because one addresses the cable product category and the other addresses flame/smoke performance.
What is the significance of the 70,000 Btu/hr reference?
The product data identifies UL 1685 as a UL flame exposure test at 70,000 Btu/hr. For procurement, treat that as a fire-test performance reference and ask for the applicable test report or listing when the requirement is contractually important.
What should I request from the supplier for a UL 1685 project?
Provide the required AWG size, core count, length and base Type TC requirements, then state the exact UL 1685 fire-performance documentation expected. If the project also requires TC-ER, direct burial, sunlight resistance or hazardous-location use, list those requirements separately so the offered cable and documentation can be matched correctly.
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