Ancor Flat Triplex Cable 12/3 AWG 100′ (131310)

Wire Flexibility Explained

Wire flexibility is influenced by two major factors: wire strand size and jacket hardness. Wire strand size has the largest impact on overall wire flexibility. As individual wire strand size decreases, wire flexibility increases.

For boat cable, UL 1426 requires at least 19 individual strands for cables 16 AWG and larger. Ancor wire uses type 3 stranding which consists of individual 30 AWG (0.010″) strands, regardless of the wire gauge. Ancor’s 16 AWG wire consists of 26 individual strands, while the 4/0 AWG wire consists of 2,109 individual strands.

Jacket hardness is most commonly measured by durometer, with lower measurements reflecting a more flexible material. Ancor wire measures 7 points lower than competitive product (on a scale of 1-100), resulting in a more flexible product.

Round versus Flat Duplex/Triplex

Duplex and triplex cable have many different advantages to help installers. The grouped wires save time and effort by having to run only one group instead of multiple individual wires and also provides extra protection for the wire itself. But they have different advantages based on the shape too. Round cable for instance is easier to install through bulk heads, walls, panels or holes, while flat cable is easier to route long distances since it can be moved through a smaller space.