What Is DLO Cable?
DLO cable, short for diesel locomotive cable, is a flexible single-conductor power cable for 2 kV industrial connections. This construction uses a Class I flexible stranded tinned-copper conductor, EPR insulation and a black XL-CPE jacket. It is specified for diesel-electric locomotives, switchgear, mining and earth-moving equipment, motors, generators, battery systems and other heavy-duty power leads where routing flexibility and mechanical durability are important.
The cable carries a 2,000 V UL RHH/RHW-2 rating and a 1,000 V c(UL) RW90 rating for the listed construction. DLO is a cable family name, not permission for every installation. Engineers must confirm conductor size, ampacity, cable length, ambient temperature, route, movement, terminations, applicable code and required documentation. Read the DLO cable technical guide or ask the TEBAOFLEX special cable team to review the project specification.
- UL RHH/RHW-2 rating: 2,000 V
- c(UL) RW90 rating: 1,000 V
- Temperature range: -40°C to +90°C
- Conductor-size range: 14 AWG to 1111.1 kcmil
- Minimum bending radius: 8 × overall cable diameter
How Is DLO Cable Constructed?
The DLO 2 kV construction uses a Class I fully annealed flexible stranded tinned-copper conductor in accordance with AAR 589. A paper separator tape assists stripping, while the flame-retardant, lead-free cross-linked EPR insulation supports the electrical insulation system. The standard outer jacket is black, flame-retardant, sunlight-, ozone- and oil-resistant lead-free XL-CPE. Fully annealed bare copper and alternative jacket colours can be reviewed for project requirements.
DLO 2 kV Technical Information
| Parameter | Confirmed data |
|---|---|
| UL RHH/RHW-2 voltage rating | 2,000 V |
| c(UL) RW90 voltage rating | 1,000 V |
| Temperature range | -40°C to +90°C |
| Minimum bending radius | 8 × overall cable diameter |
| Torsion endurance | ±180°/m for 5,000 cycles at -40°C; cable weight compensated to 18 m |
| Primary standards | UL 44; CSA C22.2 No. 38 |
| Industry standards | ICEA S-95-658; NEMA WC70; NEC |
| Flame performance | UL 2556 VW-1; IEEE 1202 / CSA FT4 for 1/0 AWG and larger |
| Additional compliance | MSHA flame resistant; RoHS compliant |
Product selection must confirm the required marking, conductor size, installation method and project compliance scope. Cable-tray use applies to sizes 1/0 AWG and larger only where the applicable installation requirements are met.
DLO Cable Size Chart
The following nominal dimensions and approximate net weights are listed for the supplied 2 kV DLO construction. Values are shown in dual units to support both North American and international project review.
14 AWG to 3/0 AWG
| Size AWG / mm² | Strand | Conductor OD in / mm | Insulation in / mm | Jacket in / mm | Overall diameter in / mm | Approx. weight lb/1000 ft / kg/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 / 2.08 | 19/.0147 | 0.070 / 1.8 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.015 / 0.4 | 0.20 / 5.1 | 30 / 45 |
| 12 / 3.31 | 19/.0185 | 0.088 / 2.2 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.015 / 0.4 | 0.22 / 5.6 | 39 / 58 |
| 10 / 5.26 | 27/24 | 0.117 / 3.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.015 / 0.4 | 0.25 / 6.4 | 56 / 83 |
| 8 / 8.36 | 37/24 | 0.144 / 3.7 | 0.055 / 1.4 | 0.030 / 0.8 | 0.33 / 8.3 | 87 / 129 |
| 6 / 13.3 | 61/24 | 0.190 / 4.8 | 0.060 / 1.5 | 0.030 / 0.8 | 0.38 / 9.7 | 131 / 195 |
| 4 / 21.1 | 105/24 | 0.262 / 6.7 | 0.060 / 1.5 | 0.030 / 0.8 | 0.46 / 11.7 | 202 / 301 |
| 2 / 33.6 | 158/24 | 0.315 / 8.0 | 0.060 / 1.5 | 0.030 / 0.8 | 0.51 / 13.0 | 285 / 424 |
| 1 / 42.4 | 224/24 | 0.375 / 9.5 | 0.080 / 2.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.64 / 16.3 | 417 / 621 |
| 1/0 / 53.5 | 280/24 | 0.435 / 11.0 | 0.080 / 2.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.70 / 17.8 | 494 / 735 |
| 2/0 / 67.4 | 329/24 | 0.465 / 11.8 | 0.080 / 2.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.73 / 18.5 | 587 / 874 |
| 3/0 / 85 | 456/24 | 0.535 / 13.6 | 0.080 / 2.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.80 / 20.3 | 718 / 1069 |
4/0 AWG to 1111.1 kcmil
| Size kcmil / mm² | Strand | Conductor OD in / mm | Insulation in / mm | Jacket in / mm | Overall diameter in / mm | Approx. weight lb/1000 ft / kg/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/0 / 107 | 551/24 | 0.581 / 14.8 | 0.080 / 2.0 | 0.045 / 1.1 | 0.84 / 21.3 | 845 / 1258 |
| 262.6 / 133 | 650/24 | 0.617 / 15.7 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 0.94 / 23.9 | 1050 / 1563 |
| 313.3 / 158 | 777/24 | 0.671 / 17.0 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.00 / 25.3 | 1195 / 1778 |
| 373.7 / 189 | 925/24 | 0.735 / 18.7 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.06 / 26.9 | 1384 / 2060 |
| 444.4 / 225 | 1110/24 | 0.786 / 20.0 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.11 / 28.2 | 1634 / 2432 |
| 535.3 / 271 | 1332/24 | 0.877 / 22.3 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.20 / 30.5 | 1925 / 2865 |
| 646.4 / 327 | 1609/24 | 0.960 / 24.4 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.29 / 32.8 | 2307 / 3433 |
| 777.7 / 394 | 1924/24 | 1.054 / 26.8 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.38 / 35.1 | 2728 / 4060 |
| 929.9 / 475 | 2318/24 | 1.230 / 31.2 | 0.090 / 2.3 | 0.065 / 1.7 | 1.56 / 39.6 | 3570 / 5313 |
| 1111.1 / 562 | 2745/24 | 1.328 / 33.7 | 0.115 / 2.9 | 0.095 / 2.4 | 1.77 / 44.9 | 4232 / 6298 |
Where Is DLO Cable Used?
DLO cable is used for flexible single-conductor power connections in heavy equipment and industrial electrical systems. Common applications include:
- Diesel-electric locomotive power leads
- Switchgear, transformer and power-distribution connections
- Mining and tunnelling equipment
- Earth-moving machinery and mobile industrial equipment
- Motor, generator and battery-system leads
- Heavy-duty flexible power connections requiring the specified 2 kV construction
This product is a single-conductor power cable, not a multi-core trailing cable with integrated grounding or ground-check conductors. Review the Type W and DLO application guide when comparing flexible power-cable families.
How Do You Select the Correct DLO Cable?
Confirm the voltage and required markings
State the system voltage, destination market, installation method and required cable markings. The listed construction is rated 2,000 V as UL RHH/RHW-2 and 1,000 V as c(UL) RW90; verify that the required marking is appropriate for the project.
Calculate conductor size and ampacity
Select the conductor size from the design current, ambient temperature, grouping, duty cycle and installation conditions. DLO cable ampacity is installation-dependent and should not be chosen from a generic current value alone. Use the cable ampacity calculation guide as a planning reference, then confirm the result against the applicable code and engineering data.
Check cable length and voltage drop
Provide the complete circuit length and allowable voltage drop. Long power runs may need a larger conductor even when the thermal ampacity is sufficient.
Define routing and movement
Confirm fixed or flexible routing, bend locations, available space, pulling conditions, vibration, oils, sunlight and mechanical exposure. The listed minimum bending radius is 8 times the finished cable diameter; terminations and strain relief must also suit the selected size.
Specify documents and terminations
State the lug or connector arrangement, packing length, inspection requirements and documentation needed with the order. For more background on construction and sizes, see the DLO cable specification guide.
Can DLO Cable Replace Welding Cable?
DLO and welding cable can both be highly flexible, but the names do not make them interchangeable. Compare voltage rating, conductor and insulation system, markings, temperature, installation method and termination requirements before specifying either cable.
| Selection point | DLO cable | Welding cable |
|---|---|---|
| Typical purpose | Flexible industrial power connections, locomotive and equipment leads | Secondary leads for welding equipment |
| Construction review | Confirm 2 kV rating, marking and installation requirements | Confirm welding-duty requirements and permitted use |
| Selection rule | Do not substitute by cable name alone; review voltage, installation method, approvals, temperature, route and termination requirements. | |
How Do You Request a DLO Cable Specification and Price?
Send the conductor size, required length, system voltage, installation route, equipment type, ambient conditions, destination market, termination details and required documents. TEBAOFLEX can review bare-copper options, jacket colours, printed marking, packing length and project-specific documentation before quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DLO cable?
DLO means Diesel Locomotive Cable. This product is a flexible single-conductor power cable listed in the supplied data sheet for 2 kV RHH/RHW-2 applications, with EPR insulation and an XL-CPE jacket.
What DLO cable sizes are listed?
The supplied construction lists sizes from 14 AWG through 1111.1 kcmil. The size chart above provides conductor stranding, nominal dimensions and approximate cable weight for each listed size.
What is DLO cable ampacity?
Ampacity depends on the conductor size and actual installation conditions, including ambient temperature, cable grouping, routing and applicable code requirements. Submit the installation details for a project-specific review rather than selecting only from a generic current value.
Can I request a DLO cable data sheet and price?
Yes. Send the required size, length, application, destination and required approvals through the Request a Quote form so the applicable construction and documentation can be confirmed.
Can DLO cable be installed in cable tray?
For this listed construction, cable-tray use applies to sizes 1/0 AWG and larger only when the applicable installation requirements are met. Confirm the cable marking, tray method, fill, spacing, ampacity and local code before installation.
Can DLO cable replace welding cable?
Not by product name alone. DLO and welding cable are designed around different ratings and intended uses. Verify voltage, installation method, cable marking, temperature, route and termination requirements before considering any substitution.
