12 AWG Extra High-Strength Copper Clad Steel Tracer Wire PE-45

12 AWG Extra High Strength (EHS) Copper Clad Steel (CCS) PE-45 Tracer Wire is a high-tensile underground locating utility line engineered for directional drilling, micro-tunneling, and challenging open-trench utility installations. Combining the structural mechanics of a high-carbon steel core with the electrical conductivity of a concentric copper skin, this specialized wire features a 45-mil, high-density high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HDPE / HMWPE) insulation layer specifically designated under the industry standard PE-45 rating.

This asset is optimized for directional boring, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), and deep-depth municipal utility tracing. It provides an uninterrupted, highly localized electromagnetic path for standard utility line locating equipment to track non-metallic (PVC, HDPE, PE, fiberglass) underground water, natural gas, wastewater, and fiber optic pipelines without breaking or stretching under installation stress.

TENSILE BREAK LOAD PERFORMANCE

Unlike soft-drawn or hard-drawn pure copper wire, which stretches and snaps under the mechanical pulling force of underground boring rigs, EHS Copper Clad Steel is mechanically rated for extreme structural pulling forces:

• Extra High Strength (EHS) Rating: 1,150 LBS minimum break load This represents the maximum structural pulling threshold before mechanical failure occurs. This extreme tensile capacity allows the 12 AWG tracer wire to be bundled directly alongside heavy municipal pipe pull-backs during directional drilling passes without risking internal core breaks.

Key Features

• Extra High Strength (EHS) Carbon Steel Core: Engineered using a specialized high-carbon steel center that provides more than double the structural tensile strength of standard copper wires, effectively preventing line snapping caused by soil movement, root intrusion, or drilling rigs.

• Metallurgically Bonded Copper Clad Layer: Concentric bare copper skin is molecularly bonded to the steel core. Because high-frequency utility locating signals travel strictly along the outer surface of a conductor (The Skin Effect), the copper skin provides identical signal transmission performance to a solid copper wire while maintaining a steel backbone.

• Heavy-Duty 45-Mil PE-45 Insulation: Extruded with a thick 45-mil coating of high-density polyethylene. This specialized formulation provides exceptional resistance to sharp gravel scrapes, long-term water immersion, acid or alkaline soil chemistry, and voltage tracking failures.

• Optimal High-Frequency Traceability: Delivers excellent electrical conductivity at standard underground locating frequencies (such as 9.8 kHz, 33 kHz, and 83 kHz), ensuring long-range, crystal-clear signal paths for standard field receivers.

• Corrosion-Resistant Armor Skin: The non-degradable PE-45 jacket completely encapsulates the copper clad core, blocking moisture migration and preventing galvanic corrosion over the multi-decade lifespan of the buried pipe asset.

Common Applications

• Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD): Pulled simultaneously as a tracking helper with municipal gas lines, water mains, and heavy fiber conduits during directional under-boring operations.

• Open-Trench Excavation Locating: Placed directly over non-metallic utility pipes inside standard gravel backfill trenches to enable future top-side tracking.

• High-Density Municipal Infrastructure: Tracing deep-burial PVC water systems, automated wastewater mains, and high-capacity storm sewer tracks.

• Critical Hydrocarbon & Fiber Routes: Installed as a continuous locator line alongside high-density polyethylene (HDPE) natural gas distribution networks and telecommunication fiber optic rings.

Industry Standard APWA Color Code Guide

Tracer wire outer PE-45 insulation is color-coded to comply directly with the American Public Works Association (APWA) uniform color matrix for instant visual verification of the hidden asset below:

• Safety Precaution Blue: Designated strictly for Potable (Drinking) Water Systems.

• Safety Alert Orange: Used for Telecommunications, Fiber Optic Networks, and Traffic Signal loops.

• High Visibility Yellow: Reserved exclusively for Natural Gas, Petroleum, and other Gaseous or Hazardous Materials.

• Safety Public Works Green: Assigned to Sanitary Sewers, Force Mains, and Drain Lines.

• Safety Purple: Utilized for Reclaimed Water, Irrigation Systems, and Slurry Lines.

• Safety Alert Red: Deployed for Electric Power Distribution circuits and high-voltage Conduit Trunks.

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 12 AWG

• Conductor Type: Extra High Strength Copper Clad Steel (EHS-CCS)

• Steel Core Type: High-Carbon Steel

• Copper Clad Volume: 21% Conductivity (Minimum thickness matches ASTM B910 specifications)

• Insulation Material: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE / HMWPE - PE-45 Rating)

• Insulation Thickness: 45 Mils (1.14 mm)

• Tensile Strength: 1,150 lbs minimum break load

• Voltage Rating: 30 Volts (Locating signaling systems only)

• Operating Temperature: -40 degrees C to +80 degrees C Continuous Burial

• Compliance Standards: ASTM B910, ASTM D1248, APWA Color Code Compliant, Buy American Act Approved

Technical Note: To maintain an uninterrupted electromagnetic trace path, underground connections must never be wrapped with standard electrical tape or connected with non-watertight wire nuts. All 12 AWG EHS tracer wire splices must utilize fully sealed, moisture-proof directional drilling connectors (such as silicone-filled outer locking lugs).

Exposing the copper clad core to direct soil moisture or chemical trace acids will lead to localized oxidation and galvanic cell breakdown, which breaks the signal continuity and renders the entire downstream section invisible to locator tracking rigs.

CABLE TYPE: 12 AWG Single-Conductor Extra High Strength (EHS) Copper Clad Steel Tracer Wire (45-Mil PE-45 Insulation)

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Civil engineering profiles, underground excavation boundaries, and utility tracing loops must strictly adhere to the American Public Works Association (APWA) design parameters, National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA) provisions, and local municipal utility regulations. Always cross-reference the official product submittal data sheet from the chosen manufacturer prior to finalizing underground infrastructure layouts or specifying mechanical pulling loads.

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.