Type W vs DLO: What’s the Difference?
Both Type W and DLO are 2kV heavy-duty portable power cables with the same insulation and jacket materials, but they serve different purposes. The key difference: Type W is multi-conductor (3-5 cores plus ground) for trailing power to mobile mining equipment, while DLO is single-conductor for locomotive power jumpers, welding leads, and equipment connections. Both use EPR insulation and chloroprene rubber jackets.
TEBAOFLEX manufactures both types. View DLO product page and Type G-GC product page for specifications.
Designation Breakdown
| Element | Type W | DLO |
|---|---|---|
| Type / DLO | UL Type W — multi-conductor portable | UL DLO — Diesel Locomotive single conductor |
| Standard | UL 44 / ICEA S-75-381 | UL 44 / ICEA S-75-381 |
| Conductor count | 3, 4, or 5 conductors + ground | Single conductor |
| Voltage | 2kV | 2kV |
| Insulation | EPR | EPR |
| Jacket | Black chloroprene rubber | Black chloroprene rubber |
| Conductor flexibility | Class I bunched | Class I bunched (ultra-flexible) |
| Primary application | Mining trailing power | Locomotive, welding, jumpers |
Performance Comparison
| Property | Type W | DLO | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage rating | 2kV | 2kV | Tie |
| Temperature | 90°C | 90°C | Tie |
| Insulation | EPR | EPR | Tie |
| Jacket material | Chloroprene rubber | Chloroprene rubber | Tie |
| Abrasion resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Tie |
| Oil resistance | Good | Good | Tie |
| Flame retardancy | IEEE 1202 | IEEE 1202 | Tie |
| Min bending radius | 6× OD | 6× OD | Tie |
| Flexibility | Good (Class I) | Excellent (ultra-flexible) | DLO |
| Multi-phase capability | Yes (3-5 cores in one cable) | No (single conductor) | Type W |
| Cost per conductor | Lower (multi-core) | Higher per amp | Type W |
When to Choose Type W
- Mining trailing power: 3-phase power to excavators, shovels, and draglines
- Mobile equipment power: Power supply requiring multiple phases in one cable
- Cable reel installations: Multi-conductor cable on motorized reels
- Temporary 3-phase distribution: Portable power distribution box feeders
- Cost efficiency: Multi-core cable is more economical than running multiple single conductors
- Simplified installation: One cable to pull instead of 3-4 separate single conductors
When to Choose DLO
- Locomotive power: Rail car and locomotive interconnections
- Welding leads: Arc welding machine power and electrode leads
- Equipment jumpers: Short flexible connections between panels
- Battery/inverter banks: High-current DC connections
- Maximum flexibility required: Ultra-flexible stranding for tight bends
- Single-conductor runs: Where single conductor installation is preferred
- Shore power: Single-conductor shore power connections
Cost Comparison
DLO tends to be more expensive per amp than Type W for equivalent power delivery because:
- Type W bundles multiple conductors in one jacket — more efficient use of materials
- DLO requires separate cable runs for 3-phase, increasing jacket material and installation labor
- However, DLO’s ultra-flexible stranding makes it more expensive per conductor
Rule of thumb: If you need 3-phase power in one cable → Type W. If you need maximum flexibility in a single conductor → DLO.
Can Type W and DLO Be Interchanged?
Type W can replace DLO (single conductor extracted) — but this is impractical since Type W has multiple cores in one jacket.
DLO can replace individual Type W conductors — running 3 or 4 separate DLO cables can provide the same 3-phase power, but requires more installation effort and individual cable management.
In practice, they are not interchangeable — each is optimized for its specific application.
Summary: Which Cable Should You Choose?
| If your application is… | Recommended cable |
|---|---|
| Mining excavator trailing power | Type W (multi-conductor) |
| 3-phase mobile equipment power | Type W (3C+G) |
| Cable reel installations | Type W |
| Locomotive power jumpers | DLO (single conductor) |
| Welding power leads | DLO |
| Battery/inverter connections | DLO |
| Maximum flexibility single conductor | DLO |
Contact TEBAOFLEX engineering for expert selection and competitive pricing on Type W and DLO cables.
