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What wire can be used for tracer wire?
The red wire is for electric; yellow is for gas, Orange is for communication, blue tracer wire is for potable water and green is for sewer. If you are planning on burying the wire, 12-gauge insulated copper wire (open to the ground at the far end) is a great choice.
What can I use as a tracer wire on a gas line?
Warning tape, detectable tape, bare copper, coated solid copper, copper clad steel, stainless steel, and stranded copper or stranded stainless steel are all options being used.
What size is tracer wire?
Features. Underground tracer wire is available in sizes 14 through 6 AWG in an array of colors, depending on the intended use. The insulation is high molecular weight and high-density polyethylene, which is resistant to abrasions, crushing, chemicals, oils, and moisture.
Is tracer wire special?
Tracer wire, when used as an underground locating wire, possesses many favorable characteristics that THHN wire does not. Tracer wire is much more resistant to liquids, harmful chemicals, corrosion, and more thanks to its PVC insulation.
What is tracer wire used for in the underground?
Underground Tracer Wire Underground tracer wire, sometimes known as electrical wire tracer, is used to accurately locate underground pipes and lines. The electrical wire tracer is laid alongside the pipes or lines during installation in order to find them at a later date for safe digging. Benefits of Tracer Wire Vs.
Do you need a tracer wire for a gas line?
However, most gas distribution lines are polyethylene (PE) and do not carry a current (non-energized). Therefore, the line will not be locatable by itself unless the tracer wire is buried at the time of the pipeline installation. Tracer wire is used to locate gas, water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunication lines.
Is it OK to loop a tracer wire?
Looping of tracer wire will result in difficulty locating as the signal is nullified. Continuous wire installations that have multiple wire laid side-by-side or in close proximity to one another shall not be allowed. Installation methods Installation Install tracer wire along the pipe above or to the side of the pipe.
How many years can a tracer wire last?
For instance, if a gas leak or cable fault occurs, the pipe or line will need to be dug up to find the exact location of the problem. Because THHN can wear after being subjected to extreme conditions, the wire may only last a maximum of about 30 years.