Since 1981, PDU Cables has been the leading manufacturer of prefabricated power distribution cable assemblies to data centers throughout North America.
In addition to Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit and Flexible Metal Conduit, PDU Cables is seeing a growing number of cable requests involving SO Cord, Tray Cable and MC Cable for applications including drop cords, feeder cables, battery and generator cables.
Building out or remodeling an open floor workspace? Are you reconfiguring a production line or warehouse? Need to bring power to workstations or equipment? We can help design the power cables necessary for each of your unique power supply needs. From custom overhead electrical drops with single or multi-circuit configurations, to generator cables, fixture whips and junction box assemblies.
With inventory, tools, and capacity to produce thousands of cables weekly, each power cable PDU Cables prefabricates is UL Listed, pretested and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Whether you need a single cable or thousands, PDU Cables can meet your needs. Tell us what you want, and we’ll help design it to NEC standards and then build it for you.
Feeder Cable Assemblies
More and more of our customers are asking if PDU Cables can build feeder cables for them, and the answer is yes.
Feeder cables are used to supply power from one part of a facility to another, from point A to point B. Perfect for providing temporary power service during construction or to supply power to specialized equipment.
Primary feeder cables typically run between main switchboards and power distribution transformers. Feeder cables are used to supply power from the PDU’s to the RPP’s. As data centers are utilize RPP’s to increase flexibility in design and to shorten the branch circuit distribution runs, they are creating a need for feeder cables to supply power to the RPP’s, a need that is sometimes overlooked.
PDU Cables can build feeder cables to meet almost any application. Each unique need dictates the cable type, conduit choice, number and size of conductors, the need for strain relief or support grips.
Following are a few photo's of different Feeder Cable Assemblies.
3" Diameter Feeder Cable
Feeder Cable made from Liquid Tight Conduit
Feeder Cable made from SO Cord with Strain Relief
Flexible Metal Conduit - Greenfield RWS/RWA Cable Assemblies
Flexible Metal Conduit—Greenfield RWS/RWA Assemblies – When local electrical jurisdictions prohibit the use of Liquid Tight conduit, the next best option is Flexible Metal Conduit. (Colored boxes and faceplates may be added to color code for dual powered equipment)
Flexible Metal Conduit, commonly referred to Greenfield, is available in either Reduced Wall Steel (RWS) or more often Reduced Wall Aluminum (RWA). The main difference between Flexible Metal Conduit and Liquid Tight is the absence of the PVC sheathing and the integrated copper ground bonding strip. Flexible Metal Conduit is permitted for use in ITE raised floor environments (NEC 645), but is not suitable in damp or wet locations.
If installed underfloor, Flexible Metal Conduit will typically be found in basket trays suspended off the ground and attached to raised floor pedestals.
Pro’s:
- Ideal for organizing dual power feeds
- Moisture resistant
- Label friendly
- Cost effective
Con’s:
- Larger outer diameter
- Heavier weight
- Less flexible
Following are a few photo's of different Flexible Metal Conduit Cable Assemblies.
Flexible Metal Cable (Greenfield - RWA) Cable Assembly
Flexible Metal Conduit Cable Assembly (240') with IEC 309 Device in a Back Box
Flexible Metal Conduit Cable Assemblies in a Fiber Barrel
Type LFMC Cable Assemblies (Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit)
Type LFMC (Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit) Cable Assemblies - Strong, durable and liquid tight; by far data centers most popular and cost effective conduit option for branch circuit power distribution cable assemblies. (Available in eleven standard colors)
Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit is both listed by Underwriters Laboratories and Certified by Canadian Standards Association and offers outstanding protection against wet and oily conditions. Liquid Tight is permitted for use in exposed or concealed locations and is approved for use with Information Technology Equipment in raised floor plenum environments (NEC 645).
The flexible inner core is made from a spiral wound strip of heavy gauge, corrosion resistant, hot-dipped galvanized steel and includes an integral bonding strip of copper that is enclosed within the convolutions throughout their entire length. This ensures a stable ground and reduces EMI, RFI and cable "cross talk". Even though a permanent circuit ground protection is provided through the continuous bonding strip built into the Liquid Tight Flexible Metal (LFMC) conduit core, for added protection, PDU Cables always uses a separate grounding conductor in all cable assemblies even if not required by NEC.
The liquid tight jacketing material is a high quality, rugged, flame retardant flexible PVC compound which resists oils, mild acids and exposure to sunlight.
LFMC is permitted to be used in exposed or concealed locations where flexibility or protection from liquids, vapors or solids is required. It is permitted in specified hazardous (classified) locations and it may be used for direct burial where listed and marked for the purpose.
Pro’s:
- Ideal for organizing dual power feeds
- Moisture resistant
- Label friendly
- Cost Effective
Con’s:
- Larger outer diameter
- Heavier weight
- Less flexible
Following are a few photo's of different Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit Cable Assemblies.
Type LFMC - Yellow Conduit/Yellow 1900 Style Box
Type LFMC - Blue Conduit CS8369 Device
Type LFMC - Blue Conduit with IEC309 and NEMA locking Dual Devices
Type LFMC - Red Conduit with Uni-Strut Mounting Bolt and various labeling options
Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit with IEC309 Device in Fiber Barrels
Type LFMC - Blue Conduit with IEC309 Devices in Gaylord
Type MC (Metal Clad) Cable Assemblies
(NEC Article 330) – Metal Clad cables are assemblies of one or more insulated circuit conductors with or without optical fiber members enclosed in an armor of interlocking metal tape, or a smooth corrugated sheath. A plastic overall jacket can also be provided.
Pro’s:
- Smaller outer diameter
- Lighter weight
Con’s:
- Risks in manufacturing process
- Limited standard conductor color options
- Lacking conduit color options
- Limited labeling options
- Dirty jacket residue
In appearance type MC cables are very similar to type AC cables (armored clad). It is important to differentiate the two as they should not be confused. Type MC cables contain an equipment ground conductor while type AC cables have an internal bonding strip in contact with the armor. More importantly type MC cables are suitable for outdoor use while type AC cables are not permitted for outdoor use (wet or damp locations).
Type MC cables are widely used in 600 volt and MV power, lighting and fixture whip control applications. They are permitted for use on services, feeders and branch circuits for power, lighting, control and signaling circuits in accordance with Article 330 and 725 of the NEC. Type MC cables may be installed indoors or outdoors, in wet or dry locations, hazardous locations (Class I, Division I), in cable tray, as aerial cable on a messenger, in any approved raceway, direct burial (where identified), or encased in concrete (where identified). MC cables are not permitted to be installed where subject to physical damage. MC cables must be supported and secured at intervals not exceeding six feet.
In many industrial application type MC cables, routed in cable trays, have proven to be an excellent economic alternative to wire in conduit.
When electrical wiring needs extra protection, metal-clad (MC) cable is a great solution and is often required by electrical codes. MC cable is easier to work with than rigid conduit, and it too offers protection from fire, vibration, gnawing pests and physical harm in general.
Metal-clad cable comes in several varieties, with the most common type being three insulated wires (two circuit conductors and a green equipment grounding conductor) protected by a flexible armor usually made from aluminum. MC cable is identified by the gauge of the wire, not the diameter of the armor. The most common sizes are 14-gauge, 12-gauge and 10-gauge.
Following are a few photo's of different Type MC (Metal Clad) Cable Assemblies.
Type MC (Metal Clad) Cable Assembly
MC Cables with yellow box and conduit label
Pair of Metal Clad Cable Assemblies
SO Cord (SOOW) Cable Assemblies
Through its many varieties, SO cord is incredibly versatile, making it the most popular electrical cord on the market. The different types of rubber or plastic jackets surrounding the multi-conductors give you options for choosing the cord that will be the safest and most cost-effective option for your project.
SOOW is the most popular type of SO cord, and it’s often used in industrial settings and offices. SO cord cable assemblies are commonly found in warehouses and offices where delivering overhead power to tools and work stations is a must. It has a 600-volt rating but also comes as a junior service cord, SJOOW, which is rated for 300 volts.
SOOW is incredibly durable. Its thermoset rubber jacket makes the cord weather resistant, and the jacket hardens under a direct application of heat, which allows the cord to be unaffected by aging, abrasion, water, sunlight and ozone. Oil-resistant insulation and jacketing lend to the cord’s durability as well.
SOOW wire can be submerged underwater and is flame retardant; therefore, it’s safe for all indoor and outdoor projects. The thermoset rubber won’t melt when it comes into contact with hot surfaces or oils.
The cord is safe up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will even remain safe and flexible in temperatures as low as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The types of SO cord:
S = Service cord
J = Junior service cord
O = Oil-resistant outside jacket
OO = Oil-resistant both inside insulation and outside jacket
W = Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) designation for weather and water resistance
T = Thermoplastic
E = Elastomer
Features:
- Extra-flexible stranding
- Abrasion-resistant
- Resists oils and solvents
- Flame-resistant
- Ozone-resistant
- 90° C rated conductors and jacket
- Water-resistant
- UL listed and CSA certified for indoor and outdoor use
Pro’s:
- Pliable
- Smaller outer diameter
- Moisture resistant
Con’s:
- Expensive
- Jacket off gassing (odor)
- Jacket sticky attracts dust
- Termination issues
- Limited configuration options
- Lead times
- Lacking conduit color options
Following are a few photo's of different SO Cord Cable Assemblies.
SO Cord with CS8369 Inline Device
SO Cord with Dual Box, Quad Device and Strain Relief and Support Grips
SO Cord with IEC 309 Device and Strain Relief Drop Cord
SO Cord Assembly with Junction Box with Mounting Hardware and Multi-Device Box with Strain Relief
SO Cord Cable Assembly with Cam-Loc and Meltric PF400 Receptacle
SO Cord Feeder Cable Assembly with Strain Relief
Type TC - Tray Cable (STOOW) Cable Assemblies
STOOW cord has the same oil and water-resistant features as SOOW and SEOOW, and you can use it in both indoor and outdoor applications. However, it has a thermoplastic (PVC) jacket that is the least flexible of the three options and will deform under extreme heat or pressure. This type of SO cord should be used where it will have minimal exposure to chemicals, oil and extreme temperatures.
STOOW is common in consumer applications, portable lights and power extensions.
Pro’s:
- UV, moisture and oil resistant
- Flexible, offers a tight bend radius, suited for overhead basket trays
- Label friendly
- Lighter weight than either LFMC or FMC
- Overhead friendly
Con’s:
- Can only be UL listed with inline devices
- More expensive than traditional conduit options
- Lacks conduit color options
The use of Tray Cable is becoming more prevalent in overhead applications that require lighter weight conduit with increased flexibility and a tighter bend radius. Commonly run in suspended basket tray or ladder racking, Tray Cable has superior UV, moisture, and oil resistant properties. While color options are limited, Tray Cable is label friendly, allowing power path identification with colored conduit labels. UL listing limitations require the use of inline devices only.
Type TC – Tray Cable – (NEC Article 336) –Power and control tray cable, Type TC, is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors, with or without associated bare or covered grounding conductors, under a non-metallic jacket. TC cables are rated for 600 volts and can be used in industrial power or control circuits, where flame retardant cables are desired.
Allowed installations include cable trays, raceways, and outdoor locations where supported by a messenger wire. Tray Cable is UL listed for use in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations, and Class 1 control circuits. If identified for such use TC cables may be also be used for direct burial.
In industrial establishments where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons will service the installation, the cable is continuously supported, and is protected against physical damage, type TC tray cable that complies with crush and impact requirements (type TC-ER cables) are permitted between a cable tray and the utilization equipment or device. The cable must be secured at intervals not exceeding six feet.
Tray Cables are not permitted to be installed outside of a cable tray system or raceway with only two exceptions (1) in outdoor locations supported by a messenger wire. (2) Where not subject to physical damage, Type TC-ER cable is permitted to transition freely between cable trays and between cable trays and equipment for distances up to six feet without continuous support.
Following are a few photo's of different Tray Cable (STOOW) Assemblies.
Tray Cable Assembly with Inline Device
Tray Cable Assembly with NEMA Locking Inline Device
Tray Cable Assembly with plug and receptacle devices for ATS power distribution
