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Cord Designations --

Listed below are designations for cord characteristics based on Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 400.

S = Standard; rated at 600 VAC
SJ = Junior; rated at 300 VAC
E Elastomer; (thermoplastic rubber)
T = Thermoplastic
O = Oil-resistant outer jacket
OO = Oil-resistant insulation and outer jacket
P = Parallel construction (flat)
W = Approved for outdoor use
V = Lightweight, round vacuum cleaner cord
Cord Type    Jacket    Voltage Rating    Duty
SO    Thermoset Rubber    600    Heavy
SOW    Thermoset Rubber    600    Heavy
SOOW    Thermoset Rubber    600    Heavy
SEOW    Elastomer    600    Heavy
SEOOW    Elastomer    600    Heavy
ST    Thermoplastic    600    Heavy
STO    Thermoplastic    600    Heavy
STOOW    Thermoplastic    600    Heavy
STW    Thermoplastic    600    Heavy
SJEW    Elastomer    300    Medium
SJO    Thermoset Rubber    300    Medium
SJOW    Thermoset Rubber    300    Medium
SJOOW    Thermoset Rubber    300    Medium
SJEO    Elastomer    300    Medium
SJEOW    Elastomer    300    Medium
SJEOOW    Elastomer    300    Medium
SJT    Thermoplastic    300    Medium
SJTO    Thermoplastic    300    Medium
SJTW    Thermoplastic    300    Medium
SVO    Thermoset Rubber    300    Light
SVT    Thermoplastic    300    Light
SPT    Thermoplastic    300    Light

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Letter Designations

SOOW Letter Designations

The letter designations of SO cable come from the National Electric Code. A new edition is published every 3 years by the National Fire Protection Agency (e.g. 2008 and 2011 NEC Handbooks). SOOW cable specifically refers to cable that is rated for up to 600 volt applications, has an oil resistant jacket and insulation, and is weather and water resistant (meaning it can be used outdoors).

Since SOOW cable (now largely sold in place of SO cord) is the most common type of portable control cable people use, you may see the term being used to refer to flexible cable in general. However, keep in mind that SOOW is only a specific type of flexible cable, so be aware of the context in which the term is being used.
Examples

SOOW - Extra hard usage, oil resistant jacket and insulation, for outdoor use.

SJTO - Hard usage, thermoplastic, oil resistant jacket.

SPT-2 - Parallel cord, thermoplastic.

See the table below for a simple breakdown the UL gives of common NEC flexible cable letter designations based on NEC table 400.4.
Flexible Cable Letter Designations
Designation    What this means
S    Service grade. Extra hard service when not followed by J, P, or V.
SJ    Junior hard service. 300 volts
SV    Vacuum Service and light duty cable. Originally designed for use with vacuum cleaners but now used for a variety of light duty applications.
P    Parallel cord (also known as zip cord). Light duty only.
Parallel cord types SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, SPE-1, SPE-2, SPE-3, SPT-1, SPT-1W, SPT-2, SPT-2W, SPT-3 have only one layer of insulation (see "NI")
E    As first letter: Elevator cable
After first letter: Thermoplastic elastomer insulation & jacket (UL/NEC designation only)
EV    Electric vehicle cable (such as for use in electric cars)
H    Heater cords (cords for heating applications)
NI    "Non-Integral." This designation only applies to parallel cords and means the parallel cord has two layers of insulation.
Parallel cords without an "NI" have only one layer of insulation, with no outer jacket.
Add "NI" (e.g. NISPT-2) to indicate a parallel cord with conductor insulation and a jacket covering.
O    Oil resistant*
T    As first letter: Tinsel cord. Single flattened 27 AWG conductor wound around insulating core, for very low current, highly flexible application.
After first letter: Thermoplastic insulation & jacket
XTW    Parallel cord for decorative lighting strings.
CXTW    Twisted pair cord or single conductor for decorative lighting strings.
W    As last letter: Suitable for use in wet locations and sunlight resistant.
As the only letter: Portable power cable
VW-1    Flame retardant. Passes UL Vertical Wire flame test.
Flame retardant means the cable stops burning once the heat source is gone (not the same as flame proof).
-1, -2, -3    Insulation thickness for parallel cords, thinnest to thickest. Actual insulation thickness varies with cord type and AWG size.

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Letter codes

In the United States, letter codes have been defined by Underwriters Labs (UL) to describe various attributes and ratings of portable cords. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) also has defined similar letter codes, and ongoing standards harmonization should eventually resolve minor differences.[1][2][4][5]

    SPT-1 = Service Parallel Thermoplastic, 0.030" Insulation | 18 AWG | 2 or 3 conductors | PVC Insulation | No Jacket | 300 V AC | Indoor Use Only
    SPT-2 = Service Parallel Thermoplastic, 0.045" Insulation | 18-16 AWG | 2 or 3 conductors | PVC Insulation | No Jacket | 300 V AC | Indoor Use Only
    SPT-3 = Service Parallel Thermoplastic, 0.060" Insulation | 18-10 AWG | 2 or 3 conductors | PVC Insulation | No Jacket | 300 V AC | Indoor Use Only
    SVT = Service Vacuum Thermoplastic | 18 or 17 AWG | 2 or 3 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Light Usage Indoors
    SJT = Service Junior Thermoplastic | 18-10 AWG | 2, 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Hard Usage Indoors
    SJTW = SJT, Weather-Resistant | 18-10 AWG | 2, 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Hard Usage Outdoors
    SJTO = SJT, Oil-Resistant Jacket | 18-10 AWG | 2, 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Hard Usage Indoors
    SJTOW = SJT, Oil- & Weather-Resistant Jacket | 18-10 AWG | 2, 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Hard Usage Outdoors
    SJTOOW = SJT, Oil-Resistant Insulation, Oil- & Weather-Resistant Jacket | 18-10 AWG | 2, 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 300 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Outdoors
    S = Service | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | Rubber Insulation | Rubber Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Indoors
    SO = Service, Oil-Resistant Jacket | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | Rubber Insulation | Neoprene Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Indoors
    SOO = Service, Oil-Resistant Insulation & Jacket | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | Rubber Insulation | Neoprene Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Indoors
    SOOW = Service, Oil-Resistant Insulation & Jacket, Weather-Resistant | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | Rubber Insulation | Neoprene Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Outdoors
    ST = Service Thermoplastic | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Indoors
    STW = ST, Weather-Resistant Jacket | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Outdoors
    STO = SThermoplastic, Oil-Resistant Jacket | 18-2 AWG | 2 or more conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 600 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Indoors
    SRDT = Service Round Dry Thermoplastic (flat or round) | 10-6 AWG | 3 or 4 conductors | PVC Insulation | PVC Jacket | 600 V AC | Electric Range and Dryer Cords
    W = Power Supply Cable | 8-4/0 AWG | 2, 3, 4 or 5 conductors | EPDM Insulation | Super Vu-Tron Jacket | 2,000 V AC | Extra Hard Usage Outdoors


    S = Severe Service Cord – 600 volts (also 277/480 or 480) – May be utilized in place of SJ or SV in extra-severe service
    SJ = Junior Severe Service – 300 volts (also 120 or 120/208 or 120/240 or 240 or 277, but not 277/480)
    SVT = Vacuum cleaner cord, or light duty cord
    T = Tinsel Cord (only if first letter of code for a portable cord)
    T = Thermoplastic (if not first letter of code)
    H = Heat Resistant
    HH = High Heat Resistant
    N = Nylon Outer Jacket Material
    E = Elastomer (flexible thermoplastic that looks and feels like rubber)
    O = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket
    OO = Oil-Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil-Resistant Interior Insulation
    P = Parallel Cord (conductors are not twisted around each other)
    V = Vacuum Cord – 300 volts (typically used with vacuum cleaners and other portable cleaning equipment)
    W = Weather Resistant (UL approved for indoor and outdoor use)
    W = Weather and Water Resistant (CSA approved for indoor and outdoor use)

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North American Cable Types

Nomenclature Key +

S = Service Grade (also means extra hard service when not followed by J, V, or P)

J = Hard Service

V = Vacuum cleaner cord (also light duty cable)

P = Parallel cord (also known as zip cord)—Always light duty

E = Thermoplastic Elastomer (UL/NEC designation ONLY)

O = Oil Resistant*

T = Thermoplastic

W = Outdoor—includes sunlight resistant jacket and wet location rated conductors (formerly "W-A")

H = Heater cable

VW-1 = Flame retardant

FT2 = Flame retardant

* When only one "O" appears in a classification (i.e. SJEOW), only the outer jacket material is oil resistant. If two "O's" are in the classification (i.e. SEOOW), the insulation covering the conductors and the outer jacket insulation are all oil resistant.
   
   

Definitions of Cable Types

SVT—Thermoplastic insulated vacuum cleaner cord, with or without third conductor for grounding purposes; 300V. (PVC)

SJT—Junior hard service, thermoplastic insulated conductors and jacket. 300V. (PVC)

SJTW—Same as SJT except outdoor rated. (PVC)

SJTO—Same as SJT but oil resistant outer jacket. (PVC)

SJTOW—Same as SJTO except outdoor rated. (PVC)

ST—Hard service cord with all thermoplastic construction, 600V. (PVC)

STW—Same as ST except outdoor rated. (PVC)

STO—Same as ST but with oil resistant outer jacket. (PVC)

STOW—Same as STO except outdoor rated. (PVC)

SPT-1—Parallel jacketed thermoplastic cable, 300V. With or without third conductor for grounding. (PVC)

SPT-2—Same as SPT-1 but heavier construction. (PVC)

SPT-3—Same as SPT-2 but heavier construction. (PVC)

SJE—Hard service cord, thermoplastic elastomer insulated and jacketed, 300V. (TPE)

SJEW—Same as SJE except outdoor rated. (TPE)

SJEO—Same as SJE but with oil resistant jacket. (TPE)

SJEOW—Same as SJE except outdoor rated. (TPE)

SJEOO—Same as SJE but conductor insulation and jacket BOTH oil resistant. (TPE)

SJEOOW—Same as SJEOO except outdoor rated. (TPE)

SE—Extra hard service cord, thermoplastic elastomer conductor insulation and jacket, 600V. (TPE)

SEW—Same as SE except outdoor rated. (TPE)

SEO—Same as SE but with oil resistant jacket. (TPE)

SEOW—Same as SEO except outdoor rated. (TPE)

SEOO—Same as SE but with oil resistant conductor insulation and jacket. (TPE)

SEOOW—Same as SEOO except outdoor rated. (TPE)

S—Extra hard service cord, thermoset-insulated conductors and thermoset jacket, 600V.

SO—Same as S but with oil resistant jacket. (thermoset)

SOW—Same as S except outdoor rated. (thermoset)

SOO—Same as S but both conductor insulation and jacket are oil resistant. (thermoset)

SOOW—Same as SOO except outdoor rated. (thermoset)

SJ—Hard service cord, thermoset insulated conductors and thermoset jacket, 300V. (thermoset)

SJO—Same as SJ but with oil resistant jacket. (thermoset)

SJOW—Same as SJO except outdoor rated. (thermoset)

SJOO—Same as SJ but both conductor insulation and jacket are oil resistant. (thermoset)

SJOOW—Same as SJOO except outdoor rated. (thermoset)

NOTICE: Definitions of cable designations are derived from UL's designation scheme as defined in the National Electrical Code (NEC)—NFPA-7

SOOW Product Description
The SOOW is the most popular of the portable cord category. These cables are constructed with a flexible rubber jacket, which is reliable for its resistance to abrasion and heat. The last major benefit to this construction is its cost-effectiveness.

 

SOOW Construction
S for Service

OO for Oil-resistant insulation and Oil-resistant jacket

W for Weather and Water resistance.

 

Rated to: 600 Volts

Temp. Range: -40 to 90ºC

Size: 18 to 2 AWG

Conductors: 2 to 40 Conductors

 




 

SEOOW Product Description
The SEOOW is slightly different from the other portable cables as this construction is made with a thermoplastic elastomer jacket. The biggest difference between this cable and other similar constructions is the additional chemical resistance and the rubber's additional flexible properties.

In more generic terms, Sycor's SEOOW is an engineered, high-quality flexible cord, while other similar constructions are much stiffer. The SEOOW is more resistant to water than SOOW, and it has the largest temperature from –50ºC to 105ºC.

 

SEOOW Construction
S for Service

E for Thermoplastic Elastomer

OO for Oil-resistant insulation and Oil-resistant jacket

W for Weather and Water resistance.

 

Rated to: 600 Volts

Temp. Range: -50 to 105ºC

Size: 18 to 2 AWG

Conductors: 2 to 5 Conductors

 

 

STOOW Product Description
The various constructions of the STOOW have similar resistance properties as the SOOW and the SEOOW, but not to the same extent. The main difference in this construction can be identified in the name S(T)OOW. The T stands for Thermoplastic, which actually makes the cable significantly less flexible. The STOOW construction is a reliable cable for consumer applications, portable power and lighting extensions when flexibility isn't essential.

 

STOOW Construction
S for Service

T for Thermoplastic

O for Oil-resistant jacket

W for Weather and Water resistance.

 

Rated to: 600 Volts

Temp. Range: -40ºC to 60ºC

Size: 18 to 10 AWG

Conductors: 2 to 4 Conductors

 

 

The portable and power cabling category has a wide range of constructions that are used for a variety of different industries and applications. The SOOW, SEOOW and STOOW, are very similar products that are relied on by hundreds of unique applications worldwide. With a variety of different constructions, voltage ratings and temperature ratings available, the portable power cord category has one of the widest selections of products available. Sycor is a stocking distributor of all current power cord products and has the ability to track down any obscure requests your team may have.

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