Cable Continuity
Explaining What Makes SO Cable Different Compared To SOOW Cable
Delco has been doing this for many years and just about every day it seems we are asked what the differences are between SO cable, SOW cable and SOOW cable. SO cable is the original form of this cable and for the most part was the initial call out for what we see today as service cord. The S stands for service and the O stands for oil resistant Jacket. Over the years, as technology moved forward the W was added to the initial call out and that meant that the jacket was also now water resistant. The maximum voltage approval on any of the above cable types is 600 volts. If you have to have a higher voltage rating you would need to look at a Type W or maybe even a Type G cable. Each of those would be rated up to 2000 volts.
Today's cable is now mostly called SOOW cable. The newer type now sports both an oil resistant jacket as well as oil resistant internal conductors. The W still stands for a water resistant jacket. It is important to understand water and oil resistant and not water and oil proof. Many people ask us if this cable can be used in places where the cable will be submersed in water 24/7. It is not advisable to utilize the SOOW cable in this situation as that is not what it is made for. Think transitory power situations like stage lighting or temporary generator use etc. Getting the jacket wet every now and then is not nearly as bad as keeping it under water. This also applies to the oil resistant feature of the cable. It is not recommended to keep this cable submerged in oil or any caustic substance for that matter.
You can get SOOW cable on the small side from 18 gauge in the smaller sizes up to 2 gauge at the bigger end. Conductor counts can be anywhere from 2 conductors up to 60 conductors based on how big the cable in question is.
Speak with an SO Cable Expert at Delco Wire: 1-800-714-WIRE (9473).
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