Key Advantages of Honest RW90 Cables
☑ Rated working temperature range: – 40°C to 90°C
☑ For dry and wet conditions
☑ Rated voltage: 600V
☑ Conductor options: Stranded or solid copper/aluminum
☑ XLPE to prevent insulation failure in a wet environment
☑ CSA and Canadian Electrical Code compliant
☑ Color-coded cables insulators: white, black, red, blue, and green
What are RW90 Cables?
In RW90 cables, the “R” refers to thermoset or thermoplastic insulation, “W” refers to the cable’s suitability for wet location, and “90” is the maximum continuous operating temperature (90°C).
At Honest, we manufacture RW90 cables for high performance and durability. Our cables are designed to reduce the risk of overheating, insulation breakdown, and withstand continuous loading.
Investing in Honest RW90 cables reduces maintenance frequency and guarantees long-term reliability of electrical systems – submit your RFQ now.
Our RW90 Cable Selection
Power your project with Honest Cable’s heat and moisture-resistant cables, engineered to guarantee electrical systems’ stability and low cable replacement. Our cable options include:
For low energy loss and high electrical conductivity, they are mainly made of pure Copper
Lightweight and cost-effective alternative, though a larger conductor is required than Cu
A single solid conductor that offers better termination, but less flexible alternatives
Multiple conductors twisted together offer higher flexibility and reduced risk of breakage
Suitable for flexible system design, and mostly comes as a single insulated conductor
Multiple conductors bundled together for clean cable management and fast installation
Our Cable Quality Standards
At the heart of Honest’s RW90 cable manufacturing is strict quality testing validation. As a requirement, our RW90 cables conform to the CSA C22.2 No. 38 to 95 standards. At the same time, the cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) is also RoHS and UL 44 compliant.
We also conduct flame testing according to CSA FT4 to ensure the cable conforms to industry standard flame-retardant performance requirements. The soft or annealed copper conductors conform to the ASTM B-3, while the concentric lay stranded conductors adhere to the ASTM B-8.
These quality standards are alongside the various quality tests we conduct, such as insulation, cold bend, and cold impact tests.
Whether a project requires general-purpose, branch circuit wiring or specialized power distribution, Honest Cable offers custom solutions to match your unique project specifications.
Guarantee stable power and signal transmission to control components, with the insulation protecting the cable from electrical stress for stable performance.
At 90°C, it supports heavy loads across various equipment in control panels, ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply and reducing downtime.
They are easy to organize in cable trays for scalable power distribution, with the insulation protecting the cable from open-air exposure. They are easy to route and have safe cable installation.
From wiring electrical systems in retail spaces to overall commercial infrastructure, you can install them through conduits and raceways to power lighting systems, HVAC, and general electronics.
T90 cables have a maximum temperature rating of 75°C for wet applications, while the RW90 cables are rated 90°C for the same environment.
RWU90 are improved versions of RW90; therefore, they not only work in dry and wet environments but are also suitable for underground installations.
Additionally, the RWU90 can also handle a higher voltage of 1000V, unlike the RW90, which is limited to 600V.
No, these cables are not for “direct burial” since they are neither jacketed nor armored. Therefore, to install the cables underground, you need cable conduit.
RW90 Cable Construction
- Copper conductor: Good conductivity and stable performance. Used in projects with higher performance requirements.
- Aluminum conductor: Lighter weight and lower cost. Used for long-distance runs or budget-focused projects.
Insulation: XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulation. Rated for continuous operation at 90°C. Maintains stable performance under load changes.
The RW90 is a single-core structure, with each cable serving as a single conductor. In your project, it can be wired separately for different phases, making on-site installation flexible. Additionally, the phases of RW90 cables can be distinguished by color. This makes installation and maintenance clearer and reduces the need for additional labeling.
RW90 Advantages of This Design
- Not sensitive to moisture. Less impact from humid environments.
- Stays flexible in low temperatures. More reliable in cold regions.
- Long service life. Fewer replacements needed.
- Wide range of applications.
Installation Requirements for RW90 Cable
Always Use Conduit for Protection
RW90 does not have an outer sheath, which means it must be used in conduit. If left exposed, it is easy to be scratched, crushed, or lose insulation.
In actual projects, whether for indoor cable trays, in-wall wiring, or equipment connections, RW90 is always placed inside conduit. This is done not only for physical protection but to comply with the code.
Not Suitable for Direct Burial
RW90 should not be used for direct burial. Even though it may function well in humid places, that doesn’t necessarily imply that it is appropriate for being buried under the soil for prolonged periods of time. It is exposed to soil pressure, rock friction, and other mechanical loads besides moisture, which its sheath-free structure cannot withstand.
If you need cables installed below ground, we strongly suggest that you use the RWU90. This cable is designed with reinforced insulation and construction, making it appropriate for underground installation.
Choose the Right Conduit Type
The choice of RW90 conduit affects both the installation difficulty and cable lifespan, so you need to decide based on the environment.
For standard building interiors, PVC conduit is widely used because it’s low-cost and easy to install.
If you have to work in an industrial environment or in areas where there is a mechanical impact threat, you might consider using EMT or RMC metal conduits. They are stronger and provide greater protection for cables.
HDPE is preferred when using underground conduits. It does not rust easily and can be safely buried for extended periods. Its internal surface is very smooth and decreases cable-pulling resistance.
Consider the Environment Before Installation
Consider your needs before selecting RW90. This helps avoid most on-site application risks.
If you are using RW90 in a dry indoor environment, conventional installation methods are acceptable. Nevertheless, even though RW90 can withstand moisture, you have to ensure the conduits are well sealed to prevent constant contact with water.
For outdoor use, the problem of exposure to UV becomes apparent. Not all versions of RW90 offer UV protection, and therefore, you need to confirm whether your selected version is UV-resistant.
Plan for Installation Space
RW90 uses XLPE insulation, which is harder than some PVC cables. You’ll notice this during installation, especially when pulling the cable through conduits or around bends.
You need to plan for sufficient bending space to avoid forcing the cable into sharp bends. If the bending radius is too small, it can put stress on the insulation, which will shorten the cable’s lifespan over time.
Additionally, you must control the cable filling ratio within the conduit. If too many cables are crammed into a single conduit, not only will heat dissipation be compromised, but future maintenance will also become very difficult. Standards specify requirements for the RW90 filling ratio, so you should factor this into your design.
How to Choose the Right RW90 Cable
Check Voltage and Load
RW90 cables usually have two voltage ratings: 600V and 1000V. For standard building power distribution, 600V is often sufficient. However, if you’re using them for industrial equipment or high-power systems, 1000V is a safer choice.
In addition to voltage, load current is also important. Ultimately, it is the actual current required during long-term operation of the equipment that determines your cable specifications. If the load is underestimated, overheating may occur; if it is overestimated, unnecessary costs will be incurred.
Calculate Ampacity
When determining the ampacity of RW90, you should not only use the rated current provided in the specification. In most cases, RW90 needs to pass through a conduit, and the cooling condition in the conduit will influence the current-carrying capacity. Other factors, like high ambient temperature and long conduit runs, will also influence the current.
The temperature restrictions on the system should also be taken into consideration. The RW90 cable has an insulation of 90°C XLPE, but most of the terminals or points where equipment is connected are rated for just 75°C. The fact that the insulation of the cable is capable of surviving at high temperatures does not mean that the whole system will function at 90°C. Selecting cables solely based on 90 °C-rated ampacity will easily lead to excessive system temperature rise.
When selecting RW90 cable, you need to consider the actual load current, the number of conductors in the conduit, the ambient temperature, the cable length, and the temperature rating of the equipment terminals. Then you can choose the RW90 specification that best matches your application.
RW90 Ampacity Chart
| Size | Approx. Ampacity |
| 14 AWG | 25A |
| 12 AWG | 30A |
| 10 AWG | 40A |
| 8 AWG | 55A |
| 6 AWG | 75A |
| 4 AWG | 95A |
| 2 AWG | 130A |
Confirm Compliance and Standards
The RW90 meets the requirements of Canadian CSA standards. If your project is based in Canada, most of the engineering and approval processes will require CSA certification.
Apart from the certification, you also have to check:
- Whether the conductor material meets project requirements
- Whether UV resistance is required
- Whether it meets local installation codes
- Whether low-smoke or flame-retardant features are required