What Are Type W and DLO Cables?
Type W and DLO (Diesel Locomotive) cables are heavy-duty portable power cables rated 2kV, designed for mining, industrial, and heavy-equipment power distribution. Both use flexible tinned copper conductors, EPR insulation, and chloroprene (neoprene) rubber jackets for maximum durability in harsh environments. Type W is typically multi-conductor (3-5 cores) for trailing power to mining excavators and shovels, while DLO is single-conductor for locomotive power, equipment jumpers, and welding leads.
TEBAOFLEX manufactures both Type W and DLO cables to UL 44 and CSA standards. View our DLO 2kV cable and Type G-GC mining cable product pages for specifications.
Type W Cable Construction
Type W is a multi-conductor portable power cable:
Conductor
- Material: Tinned copper, Class I (bunched) flexible stranding
- Sizes: 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG per conductor
- Tinning: Prevents oxidation and improves corrosion resistance
Insulation
- Material: EPR (ethylene propylene rubber)
- Rating: 2kV (2000 volts)
- Temperature: 90°C continuous conductor temperature
- Color coding: Black, red, blue, green (ground)
Separator
- Material: Cotton reinforced tape or paper tape
- Function: Provides mechanical separation between cores and jacket
Outer Sheath (Jacket)
- Material: Black chloroprene rubber (neoprene/PCP) or CPE
- Properties: Oil resistant, abrasion resistant, UV resistant, flame retardant
- Tensile strength: 15 MPa minimum
- Hardness: 70-80 Shore A
DLO Cable Construction
DLO is a single-conductor portable power cable:
Conductor
- Material: Tinned copper, Class I (bunched) ultra-flexible stranding
- Sizes: 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG (and larger up to 1000 kcmil)
- Flexibility: Extra-fine stranding for maximum flexibility
Insulation
- Material: EPR (ethylene propylene rubber)
- Rating: 2kV (2000 volts)
- Temperature: 90°C continuous
Separator
- Material: Cotton reinforced tape or polyester separator
Outer Sheath
- Material: Black chloroprene rubber (neoprene/PCP)
- Properties: Oil resistant, abrasion resistant, flame retardant, water resistant
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Type W | DLO |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | UL 44 / ICEA S-75-381 | UL 44 / ICEA S-75-381 |
| Voltage Rating | 2kV (2000V) | 2kV (2000V) |
| Conductor | Tinned copper Class I | Tinned copper Class I (ultra-flexible) |
| Insulation | EPR | EPR |
| Core Count | 3, 4, or 5 conductors | Single conductor |
| Separator | Cotton reinforced tape | Cotton reinforced tape |
| Outer Sheath | Black chloroprene rubber | Black chloroprene rubber |
| Max Conductor Temp | 90°C | 90°C |
| Min Operating Temp | -40°C | -40°C |
| Min Bending Radius | 6× OD | 6× OD |
| Tensile Strength (jacket) | 15 MPa min | 15 MPa min |
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Oil Resistance | Good (IR2) | Good (IR2) |
| Flame Retardancy | IEEE 1202 / FT1 | IEEE 1202 / FT1 |
Available Configurations
| Type | Configuration | AWG Size | Approx. OD (mm) | Current Rating (A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLO | 1C | 8 AWG | 8.5 | 55 |
| DLO | 1C | 6 AWG | 10.0 | 75 |
| DLO | 1C | 4 AWG | 12.0 | 100 |
| DLO | 1C | 2 AWG | 14.0 | 130 |
| DLO | 1C | 1 AWG | 15.5 | 150 |
| DLO | 1C | 1/0 AWG | 17.5 | 170 |
| DLO | 1C | 2/0 AWG | 19.0 | 195 |
| DLO | 1C | 3/0 AWG | 21.0 | 225 |
| DLO | 1C | 4/0 AWG | 23.5 | 260 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 8 AWG | 18.0 | 50 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 6 AWG | 21.0 | 70 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 4 AWG | 25.0 | 95 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 2 AWG | 29.0 | 125 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 1/0 AWG | 37.0 | 160 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 2/0 AWG | 41.0 | 185 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 3/0 AWG | 46.0 | 215 |
| Type W | 3C + G | 4/0 AWG | 51.0 | 250 |
| Type W | 4C + G | 4 AWG | 28.0 | 95 |
| Type W | 4C + G | 2 AWG | 32.0 | 125 |
| Type W | 4C + G | 1/0 AWG | 41.0 | 160 |
Note: Values are approximate. Contact TEBAOFLEX for detailed datasheets.
Standards and Certifications
- UL 44: Standard for rubber-insulated wires and cables
- ICEA S-75-381: Portable and power feeder cables
- UL Listing: Type W and DLO listed per UL Product Standard
- CSA: Canadian Standards Association certified
- MSHA: Mine Safety and Health Administration approved for mining
- IEEE 1202: Flame test (70,000 BTU/hr)
- ASTM B172: Tinned copper conductor specification
Selection Guide
- Determine application: Mining trailing power → Type W; Locomotive/equipment jumper → DLO
- Calculate current: Full-load current with derating for ambient temperature (40°C mining)
- Choose voltage: 2kV standard for both Type W and DLO
- Select conductor count: 3C+G for 3-phase, 4C+G for 3-phase+neutral, 1C for DLO jumpers
- Verify MSHA: Required for underground mining applications
- Consider abrasion: Chloroprene rubber standard; enhanced jacket for severe abrasion
Why Choose TEBAOFLEX for Type W / DLO Cable?
- UL 44 and CSA certified manufacturing
- MSHA approval support for mining applications
- Premium chloroprene rubber jacket for maximum abrasion resistance
- Ultra-flexible tinned copper conductors (Class I bunched stranding)
- Wide AWG range: 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG and larger
- Full range of configurations: DLO 1C, Type W 3C+G, 4C+G
- Global mining project experience across 4 continents
- Factory-direct competitive pricing — 30-50% lower than US brands
Browse our mining cable products or request a quotation for your Type W / DLO cable requirements.
