SOOW Cord: What Is It and Why You Need Remee Custom SOOW Cord

When dealing with SOOW cord, whether you realize it or not, you probably come across it every day. Yet, many people don’t truly understand what SOOW cable is.

When you need to supply your project with electrical cables, Remee Wire & Cable carries a full selection of SOOW cords, prepared for any application. Remee can help you find wires perfectly suited to your needs in almost any situation, or create them with our custom cable services.

With four simple letters, you’ll never be able to forget what SOOW wire is again! In this blog, we will walk you through the specifications of SOOW cable, what’s it made from, and some typical applications where you will see it used.

What Is SOOW Wire?

Wondering what is SOOW wire all about? You probably use SOOW wire regularly. Heavy-duty extension cords used to power heavier equipment like compressors or deliver power from a generator typically receive an SOOW designation from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This organization sets safety standards for equipment to mitigate fire, electrical, and related hazards.

Portable electrical wiring comes in a variety of configurations adaptable to site conditions. One popular design is called SOOW wire. What does that mean though? Well, the name itself is an acronym!

The acronym “S.O.O.W” actually contains information about the cord’s construction and practical uses. The letters in SOOW represent:

• S: Service cord
• O: Oil-resistant jacket
• O: Oil-resistant insulation
• W: Weather/water resistant

S: Service Cord

A service cord is a series of flexible wiring that supplies up to 600 Volts. This leaves it a great cable resource for various applications such as portable tools, small motors and machinery, fire alarm and temperature controls, and portable generators.

SOOW cord is generally available from 2 to 18 AWG, along with 3 and 4 copper conductors. In service SOOW cord, the conductors are stranded. This allows for increased flexibility.

Remee’s SOOW Cord is unique in that we use up to 12 strands of copper wire for our version of the service cable. With custom cable services such as this, Remee’s SOOW cord is higher in quality when compared to the industry standard of only 7 strands.

Double O: Oil Resistant Jacket and Insulation

When resistant to oil and other solvents, the cable will not break down or rust over time. This helps to avoid costly mistakes or replacements. It also aids in fire prevention, as allowing flammable oil to be near potential electrically charged cables can be very dangerous.

Being oil resistant in both the jacket (external covering) and insulation (internal covering) of the SOOW wire, this allows Remee’s SOOW cord to have the major benefit of longevity. Doing so allows higher quality cables to be used in your projects, as well as provides cost-effective cable solutions.

W: Weather/Water Resistant

While resistant to oil and deteriorating chemicals, SOOW cord is also resistant to water and other harsh elements. Specifically designed this way, this allows Remee’s SOOW cord to have an additional benefit of durability.

If outside, the SOOW cable also has to be able to withstand natural elements as well as man-made ones. By being resistant to water this prevents rusting and allows for a wider range of use for SOOW cord. It is safe for use in temperatures ranging from 221 degrees Fahrenheit to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

As you can see, SOOW cord is a great custom wiring option but Remee has designed ours to be even better. Supplying a full range of cable options, and even custom cable services, allows Remee to fit any and all cable project needs.

What Is SOOW Wire Made From?

The materials of SOOW wire are chosen based on the material SOOW cord comes in contact with the most. Oil, while necessary to cool and lubricate machinery, can damage cable jacketing and insulation polymers, leading to failures and potentially hazardous situations with power cords.

Remee counteracts oil damage in their SOOW cord through a jacket of oil-resistant black thermoset polyethylene (CPE). Long-term contact with oil can cause some jacketing to warp and potentially create electrical hazards as the oil reacts with the plasticizer in the jacket material. The CPE outer protective layer on the SOOW cord resists the deformative effects of oil, and even adds more protection over time as it hardens in the sun.

The color-coded rubber (EPDM) insulation is resistant to oil, ozone, and water. As previously noted, resistance to the weather is one reason SOOW cable is such a popular option. The construction of SOOW wire makes it safe for outdoor use in extreme conditions.

Its pliable materials also make it suited for indoor use where you need more protection than usual. The NFPA rates the conductor in SOOW cable at a hefty 600 V AC. The size of the copper is 18-2 AWG.

SOOW cord heads off many of these problems and offers a safe, affordable method for protecting electrical connections in outdoor conditions or indoors where oil and other chemicals may be present. Need to see for yourself though? Remee offers cable samples to make sure you get the right cable choice.

Top Uses For SOOW Cord

SOOW cables offer a variety of designs that make them suited to many uses. The wire’s oil-resistant qualities attract contractors, installers, and engineers who want to use portable cables in their designs. In addition, you will find SOOW wire in light industrial settings, where indoor conditions may include exposure to lubricants or oil.

For outdoor applications, designers want assurance that their cable choices are safe and usable. SOOW’s oil-resistant hardened outer jacket and insulation make it the long-term option for permanent installations.

Any setting where you need to get power to industrial equipment could be a job for Remee’s SOOW custom-made cable. The cord’s flexibility and durability make it suited for extra hard usage and it performs well for industrial equipment, heavy tools, and motors.

Sound and stage crews also use SOOW wire to set up audio equipment and lights. Bet you didn’t know your favorite concert is supported by SOOW cable!

SOOW can also supply power extensions in harsh conditions indoors or outside for projects like marine and mining applications. One significant characteristic of SOOW is its water resistance. Therefore, a fully submerged underwater SOOW cord is safe, and you will find them used for the cables on submersible pumps and other applications where water is a factor.

Interested in more water-resistant cable options? See the full list of Remee products, which includes wet location copper cables.

SOOW Cable: Pros and Cons

Choosing the right wire can make or break a project. So, let’s break down the pros and cons of SOOW cord to ensure you understand the details of this complicated cable option.

The main advantages of the SOOW cable are:

• Weatherproofing
• Oil resistance
• Flexibility
• Capacity of 600 V AC (heavy industrial applications)
• Up to 12 strands of copper instead of the typical seven strands for increased flexibility and the highest quality SOOW cord on the market

The disadvantages of SOOW cord are:

• Tends to be more expensive than other cables due to its high voltage rating
• SJOOW wire offers similar benefits but only at a maximum rating of 300 V AC

At Remee, high-quality products are what we live for – not cables that cut corners. And if you’re reading this, we suspect you are like that too. From the long list of advantages we have gone over in detail, it is clear to see that SOOW cord has numerous benefits and even more potential uses for your future projects.

Choose Remee for Custom-Made Cables and SOOW Cord

Whether for marine construction, concerts, and more, SOOW is a top choice for your cabling needs. At Remee, we are the top choice for your custom cable services as the leading industry manufacturer of SOOW cable and more.

And we’ve got the numbers to back it. With a zero defects average of 97%, and an on-time delivery average of 96% even with personal channel selection, Remee is out to prove customer service will always be our top priority.

With access to our top executives and knowledgeable team of over 150 employees, Remee can provide help to answer any questions you may have about selecting or designing a suitable SOOW cable. Feel free to get in touch with a cabling expert to find out which wire can help power your next project.

Requesting a quote, sample, or custom option has never been easier. Already know what you want? Contact Remee today to get your order – big or small – started now!