18/4 VNTC Control Tray Cable Type TC-ER (TFFN PVC 600V)

“An industrial-grade solution for low-voltage power distribution, complex automation arrays, multi-point control loops, and specialized signaling systems. Engineered as a flexible, multi-conductor Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable (VNTC),this unshielded 18 AWG 4-conductor line carries a Type TC-ER ratingallowing you to drop the heavy material overhead and intensive installation labor of traditional conduit piping runs.”

Why Installers Choose 18/4 VNTC Tray Cable

This 18 AWG 4-conductor cable is the field standard for balancing reliability with fast installation in automated environments. The 4-conductor layout is ideal for wiring setups requiring a dedicated power leg, neutral, ground, and signal line all bundled under a single rugged jacket.

Built with 7-strand compressed bare copper cores, it features heat- and moisture-resistant TFFN insulation enclosed in a flame-retardant, UV-resistant black PVC jacket. Engineered to pass strict field inspections, it maintains a continuous 90C dry thermal limit and provides rugged defense against industrial chemical washdowns, oils, and grease.

• Labor-Saving Exposed Run (ER) Rating: Engineered and tested to meet the exact structural crush and physical impact thresholds of metal-clad (MC) armor cable. This code compliance allows installers to drop the cable out of overhead trays directly to field equipment without secondary conduit pipe housing.

• Flexible TFFN Core Construction: The internal 18-gauge bare copper conductors feature tight Class B stranding to drastically increase bending flexibility, making long pulls through tight bends, raceways, and wire channels effortless.

• Superior Fire & Smoke Suppression: Fully certified under rigorous vertical tray flame simulations. The self-extinguishing PVC outer jacket prevents fire from climbing floor-to-floor while maintaining incredibly low smoke-release metrics during an emergency.

• Seamless Indoor-to-Outdoor Transitions: Carries certified Direct Burial and Sunlight Resistant print legends, meaning the exact same line can run from an indoor control panel, drop into an outdoor dirt trench, or sit exposed in open sunlight without degrading.

Technical Specifications: 18 AWG 4-Conductor VNTC Tray Cable

• Conductor Configuration: 4 Conductors (Unshielded)

• Conductor Size: 18 AWG

• Conductor Material: Fully Annealed Stranded Bare Copper (ASTM B3 & B8)

• Conductor Stranding: 7 Strands (Class B compressed)

• Conductor Color Code: Black, Red, Blue, and Orange

• Insulation Profile: PVC with a slick Polyamide (Nylon) skin (Type TFFN / TFN)

• Insulation Thickness: 0.015″ PVC + 0.004″ Nylon

• Outer Jacket Material: Heavy-Duty, Lead-Free, Flame-Retardant Black PVC

• Jacket Thickness: 0.045″

• Nominal Outer Diameter (OD): 0.310 inches

• Net Cable Weight: 56 lbs per 1,000 feet

• Minimum Bending Radius: 2.17 inches (7 x nominal OD)

• Voltage Rating: 600 Volts

• Temperature Limits: 90C Dry / 75C Wet

• Ampacity: 6 Amps

• Compliance & Certifications: UL Listed Standard 1277 (Type TC or TC-ER-JP), UL 66 (TFN/TFFN), UL 83, UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire Propagation, Flame Rated FT4 / IEEE 1202 (70,000 BTU/HR), NEC Article 336, Article 501, and Article 725 for Class 1 control circuits.

Common Applications for 18/4 Unshielded Tray Cable

The 18/4 configuration is highly versatile and frequently utilized across commercial, industrial, and heavy residential control networks:

• 3-Phase Low-Voltage Controls: Perfect for wiring up low-horsepower 3-phase motor starters, relays, and industrial push-button stations.

• Building Automation Systems (BAS): Ideal for advanced HVAC control networks requiring separate lines for power, common, send, and receive signals.

• Commercial Lighting & Relays: Routinely used to link multi-zone architectural lighting control panels and low-voltage relays.

• Generator Control Interconnects: Excellent for routing the essential auxiliary, sensing, and battery charging lines between an automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a standby generator generator.

Technical Note:All values are nominal and subject to industry tolerances and manufacturer corrections. Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the buyers responsibility to verify that all materials meet the specific requirements of the project and comply with local electrical codes.