12/16 VNTC Tray Cable Type TC-ER (THHN PVC 600V)

12 AWG 16-Conductor VNTC (Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable) is an industrial-grade control, signaling, and power distribution cable engineered for installation in commercial wireways, open cable trays, and structural conduits. Featuring sixteen 12 AWG conductors twisted into a compact, balanced round core, this multi-conductor Type TC (Tray Cable) assembly utilizes high-performance THHN/THWN-2 inner conductor insulation wrapped in a rugged, flame-retardant, and sunlight-resistant Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) outer jacket.

This configuration provides a highly durable, moisture-resistant wiring system optimized for routing dense multi-wire branch control loops, automated logic circuits, multi-point sensor networks, and fractional horsepower motor circuits through demanding overhead or underground raceways where a separate structural grounding path is utilized.

AMPACITY RATINGS (NEC 310.16)

• 60°C Terminal Rating: 20 AMPS This is the baseline engineering safety rating. Use this value for final circuit sizing under normal operating conditions when connecting to legacy equipment terminals or standard breaker lugs restricted to 60°C constraints.

• 75°C Terminal Rating: 25 AMPS This is the standard engineering design rating. Use this value for modern industrial terminal configurations, as it represents the typical maximum operational ampacity for a standard 12 AWG copper conductor.

• 90°C Terminal Rating: 30 AMPS This is the maximum capacity rating. Use this value strictly as the baseline calculation factor when adjusting or derating for high ambient operating temperatures, or when bundling multiple tray cables together in packed industrial raceways.

Key Features

• Industrial Round Profile Construction: Wires are twisted inside the jacket into a nested layout, maximizing physical roundness and structural symmetry. This ensures uniform pulling tension, high physical strength, and smooth feeding through multi-bend conduit runs.

• Dual THHN / THWN-2 Conductor Insulation: Inner copper conductors are wrapped in high-dielectric PVC and topped with a rugged clear nylon skin. This dual-layer architecture ensures superior resistance to oil, gasoline, moisture, and insulation scraping during difficult installations.

• Direct Burial & Sunlight Resistant: Protected by an extruded, flame-retardant outer PVC jacket that forms an impermeable barrier against harsh ambient conditions, making it safe for open air tray runs, direct burial trenching, or wet environments.

• Highly Conductive Bare Copper: Manufactured with high-purity, soft-annealed stranded bare copper conductors to deliver optimal electrical conductivity, minimal line resistance, and sufficient physical flexibility for long pulled runs.

• Rigorous Industrial Flame Ratings: Engineered to prevent the migration of fire across open structural paths, fully certified to pass the demanding IEEE 1202 / UL 1685 vertical tray flame tests.

Common Applications

• Industrial Control & Signaling: Routing command inputs, PLC input/output loops, multi-stage relay logic tracks, and automated sensor returns in manufacturing plants, wastewater treatment zones, and assembly environments.

• Multi-Wire Branch & Power Control: Supplying continuous power to automated assembly lines, multi-wire branches requiring numerous dedicated indicators, and industrial machinery sub-circuits.

• Conduit and Wireway Routing: Pulling high-density multi-circuit infrastructure connections through structural conduits, commercial utility tunnels, underground duct banks, or open-air wire mesh trays.

• Hazardous Environment Deployment: Approved under strict National Electrical Code provisions for installation within Class I, Division 2 hazardous industrial locations.

Circuit Identification: Standard 16-Conductor Color Code (ICEA Method 1, Table E-2)

• Conductor 1: Black

• Conductor 2: Red

• Conductor 3: Blue

• Conductor 4: Orange

• Conductor 5: Yellow

• Conductor 6: Brown

• Conductor 7: Red with Black Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 8: Blue with Black Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 9: Orange with Black Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 10: Yellow with Black Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 11: Brown with Black Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 12: Black with Red Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 13: Blue with Red Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 14: Orange with Red Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 15: Yellow with Red Stripe (Tracer)

• Conductor 16: Brown with Red Stripe (Tracer)

• Note: Depending on the specific manufacturer or project specification, 16-conductor control configurations may alternatively be provided with uniform black insulation featuring high-visibility, continuous alphanumeric numbers (1 through 16).

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 12 AWG

• Number of Power/Control Conductors: 16

• Conductor Type: Stranded Bare Copper

• Insulation Material: PVC with Nylon Skin (THHN/THWN-2)

• Shielding: None (Unshielded)

• Jacket Material: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Black

• Voltage Rating: 600 Volts RMS

• Maximum Temperature Rating: 90°C Dry / 90°C Wet Continuous Operating

• Flame Test Ratings: IEEE 1202, UL 1685 Vertical Tray Flame Test, FT4

• Compliance Standards: UL 1277 (Type TC), NEC Article 336, Type THHN/THWN-2 Conductors, RoHS Compliant

Technical Note: When engineering layouts with 12 AWG multi-conductor control cables like the 12-16 VNTC, installers must apply significant ampacity adjustment factors for more than three current-carrying conductors per NEC Article 310.15(C)(1). For a 16-conductor cable where all lines carry continuous current, the ampacity must be severely derated down to 50% of its baseline rating. Using the 90°C baseline calculation factor (30 Amps), the adjusted calculated ampacity factor drops to 15.0 Amps. Additionally, the installer must account for the NEC "Small Conductor" rule (NEC 240.4(D)), which mandates that the ultimate overcurrent protection device (the circuit breaker) cannot exceed 20 Amps under standard branch circuit constraints. Because the multi-conductor heat constraints choke the actual calculated ampacity down to 15.0 Amps, you cannot use a standard 20-Amp breaker if those lines are carrying continuous maximum loads simultaneously.

CABLE TYPE: 12 AWG / 16-Conductor Stranded Round THHN/PVC Type TC Tray Cable (No Ground)

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Large-scale industrial control pathways, tray layouts, and machinery connections must strictly adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC), local building structures, and relevant industrial safety parameters. Always cross-reference the official product submittal data sheet from the chosen manufacturer prior to finalizing physical system designs or cutting structural cable lengths.

General Shipping Information

In-stock orders placed before 3pm EST typically ship within 1-2 business days. Our business days are Monday through Friday; we do not process orders on Saturday, Sunday, or major US Holidays.

You will receive an e-mail with a tracking number within 1-2 business days from the time its shipped. You will also be able to view your order status and tracking numbers in your account order history.

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipments are delivered Monday-Friday except on US Holidays. The order must be placed before 12pm CST to ship same day ( Mon-Fri Only).

Returns

You have 30 days from the day you receive the item to contact us for a return. Returns are subject to a 30% Restocking Fee.

Please contact us at help@wireamerica.com to request a return authorization. Have your order number or name the order was placed with ready and we will email you an RMA (return) number and instructions for return. Currently, we do not offer exchanges. A new order must be placed if you need a different item. If you provide the new order number at the time of your return request, the restocking fee may be lowered.

Orders on any items with a material value of $50 or less are non-returnable.