Selecting Sensor Cable

Cable Properties and Recommended Uses / Chemical Effects Chart

INW sells sensor cable in four different materials-polyurethane, polyethylene, FEP Teflon^®, and Tefzel^®. The purpose of this section is to acquaint the user with the various cable types and assist the user in making cable selections. The information in this section is intended as a general guide only. Users are responsible to verify the suitability of any particular material for their own applications through testing or other means.

Cable Properties & Recommended Uses

INW recommends either polyurethane, polyethylene, or FEP Teflon^® for most applications. For high temperature and/or high contamination applications, INW recommends the Tefzel^® cable.

Polyurethane:

Polyurethane (PU) cable can handle temperatures up to 80° Celsius and is a good general-purpose cable.
Advantages: Flexible in cold weather and resistant to abrasion
Disadvantages: Not recommended for high temperature and/or high contamination applications
Recommended use: Most applications, unless high temperature or high contamination is involved
Note: Polyurethane comes in two variations-polyester-based and polyether-based. Polyester-based material is subject to early hydrolysis and degradation in many environments that polyether-based material is not. Heat, oxidation, and certain chemicals will accelerate this degradation. All polyurethane cable sold by INW is polyether-based.

Polyethylene:

Polyethylene (PE or HDPE) can handle temperatures up to 80° Celsius and is often used in direct burial and long term submerged applications for industrial and telephone applications.
Advantages: Very low water absorption and good resistance to a wide range of chemicals
Disadvantages: Very stiff in cold weather and not as resistant to abrasion as polyurethane
Recommended use: Most permanent installations, unless high temperature or high contamination is involved

FEP Teflon^® Cable:

FEP Teflon^® cable has an outer jacket of Teflon^® and an inner core of polyurethane for strength and flexibility. This cable can handle temperatures up to 80° Celsius.
Advantages: Highest resistance to water absorption and chemical attack, good flexibility, cheaper than pure Teflon^® cable
Disadvantages: More expensive than polyurethane or polyethylene cable
Recommended use: Portable and permanent applications with moderate chemical contamination and temperatures below 80° Celsius

Inside PU, PE, and FEP Teflon^® Cables:

All INW polyurethane, polyethylene, and FEP Teflon^® cables contain stranded conductors and are insulated with polyethylene. This combination makes for good insulation and good flexibility. All cables also contain a strong nylon vent tube that will not collapse under compression. The cables also include braided shielding of tin-plated copper that stands up well in our applications if properly grounded at the instrument ends.

Tefzel^® Cable:

Tefzel^® cable has an outer jacket of Tefzel^® and has a much higher temperature rating (up to 150° Celsius) than polyurethane, polyethylene, or FEP Teflon^® cabling. The interior insulation and vent tubing are Teflon^®. As in INW's other cables, the Tefzel^® cable contains stranded conductors and a braided shield of tin-plated copper.
Advantages: Temperature rating of 150° Celsius, good for high-temp and/or highly contaminated applications
Disadvantages: Most expensive
Recommended use: Any applications where temperatures may exceed 80° Celsius and in highly contaminated environments

Chemical Effects Chart

Chemical Effect Ratings: 1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Fair, 4=Not Recommended, - = No Information

Acids

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Acetic Acid, Glacial	3	1	1	1
Chromic Acid 5%	4	3	1	1
Hydrochloric Acid 20%	-	1	1	1
Sulfuric Acid <10%	-	1	1	1

Bases

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Propyl Amine	-	1	1	-
Ammonia 10%	2	3	1	1
Sodium Hydroxide 205	-	1	1	1

Halogens

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Bromine	3	4	1	1

Oxidants

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Hydrogen Peroxide 10%	2	1	1	1

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Butyl Alcholol	2	1	1	1
Ethyl Alcholol	3	2	1	1
Propyl Alcholol	2	1	1	1
Gasoline, High-Aromatic	2	3	1	1
Kerosene	2	3	1	1
Propylene Glycol	2	2	1	1

Aromatic Hydrocarbons

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Benzene	4	3	1	1
Toluene (Toluol)	4	3	1	1

Halogenated Hydrocarbons

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Carbon Tetrachloride	3	2	1	1
Trichloroethylene	4	3	1	1

Hydrocarbons

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Ketones	4	3	1	1
Methylene Chloride	4	3	1	1

Oxygenated Solvents and Esters

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Acetone	4	2	1	2
Ethylene Glycol	2	1	1	1

Salts

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Copper Cyanide	-	2	1	1
Silver Nitrate	2	2	1	1
Sodium Bicarbonate	2	1	1	1
Zinc Chloride	2	1	1	1

Waters

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Water, Fresh	2	1	1	1
Water, Sea	3	1	1	1

Common Chemicals

	Polyurethane	Polyethylene	FEP Teflon^®	Tefzel^®
Diesel Fuel	2	3	1	1
Jet Fuel (JP3, -4, -5)	2	2	1	1

Download the .pdf version of this site
The information in this table is intended as a general guide only. Users are responsible to verify the suitability of any particular material for their own applications through testing or other means.