12/3 VNTC Tray Cable Type TC-ER (THHN PVC 600V)

12 AWG 3-Conductor VNTC (Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable) without Ground (Black/Blue/Red Conductors) is a highly versatile, multi-conductor industrial power, branch circuit, and machinery control cable engineered for installation in open cable trays, structural conduits, and commercial wireways. Comprising three standalone 12 AWG stranded bare copper conductors twisted into a balanced round core, this Type TC (Tray Cable) assembly utilizes high-performance THHN/THWN-2 insulation cores wrapped in a rugged, flame-retardant, and sunlight-resistant Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) outer jacket.

This specific variation utilizes Black, Blue, and Red insulation for explicit line-to-line identification in 3-phase systems. It provides a compact, moisture-resistant wiring system optimized for routing ungrounded 3-phase machinery feeds, delta transformer connections, fractional horsepower motor loops, and industrial control tracks where a separate structural grounding path is provided.

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 most standard modern terminal blocks, motor starters, and electrical distribution equipment, as most modern industrial termination lugs are rated for 75°C constraints.

• 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 tightly packed industrial raceways.

Key Features

• 3-Phase Circuit Identification: Features one Black, one Blue, and one Red conductor. This color scheme explicitly indicates a 3-phase line-to-line configuration without a neutral, preventing installation errors and speeding up phase tracing during termination.

• Industrial Round Profile Construction: Wires are twisted inside the jacket into a nested round layout, maximizing physical symmetry. This structural design 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

• 3-Phase Industrial Motor Feeds: Supplying continuous ungrounded power directly to small 3-phase field motors, industrial exhaust fans, pumps, and automated conveyor drives.

• Commercial & Industrial Lighting Networks: Sizing high-voltage, 3-phase multi-wire branch lighting circuits, automated facility overhead lighting runs, and industrial LED banks.

• Control & Signaling Pathways: Routing continuous line-to-line control signals, heavy-duty safety interlock loops, and machinery contactor coils.

• Utility Feeder & Branch Distribution: Pulling branch 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: Black/Blue/Red Color Code

• Conductor 1: Black Insulation (Phase A / Line 1)

• Conductor 2: Red Insulation (Phase B / Line 2)

• Conductor 3: Blue Insulation (Phase C / Line 3)

• Note: Surface tracking information is continuously printed on the black outer PVC jacket for compliance auditing.

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 12 AWG

• Number of Wires: 3

• Cable Geometry: Round (Twisted Core)

• Conductor Type: Stranded Bare Copper

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

• 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 tray cable, the installer must account for the NEC "Small Conductor" rule (NEC 240.4(D)). Even though the physical 90°C thermal threshold of a 12 AWG copper conductor allows it to carry 30 Amps safely, the electrical code mandates that the overcurrent protection device (the circuit breaker) cannot exceed 20 Amps under standard branch circuit conditions. However, the higher 30-Amp rating remains highly useful as a mathematical starting point when calculating derating penalties per NEC Article 310.15(C)(1) if multiple cables are bundled tightly together or routed through high ambient thermal paths inside industrial processing facilities.

CABLE TYPE: 12 AWG / 3-Conductor Stranded Round THHN/PVC Type TC Tray Cable (Black/Red/Blue, No Ground)

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Large-scale industrial control pathways, lighting grids, and tray layouts 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.