18/4 VNTC Control Tray Cable Type TC-ER (TFFN PVC 600V)

Parent SKU :  TCTFN18-4

SKU :  TCTFN18-4-250

VNTC TYPE TC-ER. SUNIGHT RESISTANT & DIRECT BURIAL RATED.
Wire Size 18 AWG
Conductor Type Stranded
Outer Diameter 0.310 in. / 7.87 mm
Conductor Count 4
Voltage Rating 600V
Ampacity Rating 8
Temperature Rating 90ºC

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"An industrial-grade solution for low-voltage power distribution, complex automation arrays, multi-point control loops, and specialized signaling systems. Engineered as a flexible, multi-conductor Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable (VNTC), this unshielded 18 AWG 4-conductor line carries a Type TC-ER rating—allowing you to drop the heavy material overhead and intensive installation labor of traditional conduit piping runs."

Why Installers Choose 18/4 VNTC Tray Cable

This 18 AWG 4-conductor cable is the field standard for balancing reliability with fast installation in automated environments. The 4-conductor layout is ideal for wiring setups requiring a dedicated power leg, neutral, ground, and signal line all bundled under a single rugged jacket.

Built with 7-strand compressed bare copper cores, it features heat- and moisture-resistant TFFN insulation enclosed in a flame-retardant, UV-resistant black PVC jacket. Engineered to pass strict field inspections, it maintains a continuous 90°C dry thermal limit and provides rugged defense against industrial chemical washdowns, oils, and grease.

  • Labor-Saving Exposed Run (ER) Rating: Engineered and tested to meet the exact structural crush and physical impact thresholds of metal-clad (MC) armor cable. This code compliance allows installers to drop the cable out of overhead trays directly to field equipment without secondary conduit pipe housing.

  • Flexible TFFN Core Construction: The internal 18-gauge bare copper conductors feature tight Class B stranding to drastically increase bending flexibility, making long pulls through tight bends, raceways, and wire channels effortless.

  • Superior Fire & Smoke Suppression: Fully certified under rigorous vertical tray flame simulations. The self-extinguishing PVC outer jacket prevents fire from climbing floor-to-floor while maintaining incredibly low smoke-release metrics during an emergency.

  • Seamless Indoor-to-Outdoor Transitions: Carries certified Direct Burial and Sunlight Resistant print legends, meaning the exact same line can run from an indoor control panel, drop into an outdoor dirt trench, or sit exposed in open sunlight without degrading.

Technical Specifications: 18 AWG 4-Conductor VNTC Tray Cable

  • Conductor Configuration: 4 Conductors (Unshielded)

  • Conductor Size: 18 AWG

  • Conductor Material: Fully Annealed Stranded Bare Copper (ASTM B3 & B8)

  • Conductor Stranding: 7 Strands (Class B compressed)

  • Conductor Color Code: Black, Red, Blue, and Orange

  • Insulation Profile: PVC with a slick Polyamide (Nylon) skin (Type TFFN / TFN)

  • Insulation Thickness: 0.015" PVC + 0.004" Nylon

  • Outer Jacket Material: Heavy-Duty, Lead-Free, Flame-Retardant Black PVC

  • Jacket Thickness: 0.045"

  • Nominal Outer Diameter (OD): 0.310 inches

  • Net Cable Weight: 56 lbs per 1,000 feet

  • Minimum Bending Radius: 2.17 inches (7 x nominal OD)

  • Voltage Rating: 600 Volts

  • Temperature Limits: 90°C Dry / 75°C Wet

  • Ampacity: 6 Amps

  • Compliance & Certifications: UL Listed Standard 1277 (Type TC or TC-ER-JP), UL 66 (TFN/TFFN), UL 83, UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire Propagation, Flame Rated FT4 / IEEE 1202 (70,000 BTU/HR), NEC Article 336, Article 501, and Article 725 for Class 1 control circuits.

Common Applications for 18/4 Unshielded Tray Cable

The 18/4 configuration is highly versatile and frequently utilized across commercial, industrial, and heavy residential control networks:

  • 3-Phase Low-Voltage Controls: Perfect for wiring up low-horsepower 3-phase motor starters, relays, and industrial push-button stations.

  • Building Automation Systems (BAS): Ideal for advanced HVAC control networks requiring separate lines for power, common, send, and receive signals.

  • Commercial Lighting & Relays: Routinely used to link multi-zone architectural lighting control panels and low-voltage relays.

  • Generator Control Interconnects: Excellent for routing the essential auxiliary, sensing, and battery charging lines between an automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a standby generator generator.



Technical Note: All values are nominal and subject to industry tolerances and manufacturer corrections. Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify that all materials meet the specific requirements of the project and comply with local electrical codes.


See Full Specifications

See Full Specifications

Physical Specifications

Wire Size (AWG/MCM) 18 AWG
Conductor Material Copper
Conductor Type Stranded
Strand Count 16
Outer Diameter (OD) (in/mm) 0.310 in. / 7.87 mm
Jacket Type (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride
Conductor Count 4
Shield Unshielded
Insulation Type (PVC) TFN
UL Listing Numbers UL 66, UL 83, UL1277, UL 1685

Technical Specifications

Voltage Rating 600V
Ampacity Rating 8
Direct Burial Rating Yes
Submersible No
Sunlight Resistance Rating Yes
Temperature Rating 90ºC
Standards UL 66, UL 83, UL1277
UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test
Approved as Type TC or TC-ER-JP, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial
ASTM B3, ASTM B8
NEC Article 336, Article 501, Article 725 for class 1 circuits.
Miscellaneous Information All values are nominal and subject to correction. Flat Construction is NOT TC-ER rated. Pair cables are Black, Red and numbered. Triad cables are Black, Red, Blue and numbered. Colors repeats after 36 conductors. There are no Green or White conductors or stripes

Usage & Installation

Primary ApplicationsIndustrial Power and Control Systems, Building Automation and Energy Management, Utility and Substation Wiring, Instrumentation and Process Control, Cable Tray Installations, Outdoor and Direct Burial.
Common Uses
  • Control circuits for motors
  • machinery
  • automated equipment
  • connecting sensors
  • actuators
  • and controllers for HVAC
  • lighting
  • and security systems.

Packaging & Dimensions:

Weight per Foot 0.056 lb

Shipping and Returns

Shipping and Returns

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.

18/4 VNTC Control Tray Cable Type TC-ER (TFFN PVC 600V)

Parent SKU :  TCTFN18-4

SKU :  TCTFN18-4-250

VNTC TYPE TC-ER. SUNIGHT RESISTANT & DIRECT BURIAL RATED.
In Stock
Ships in 1-2 days

Parent SKU :  TCTFN18-4

SKU :  TCTFN18-4-250

$120/ea.
$240/ea.
$480/ea.
$1,200/ea.
$2,400/ea.
$0.48/ft.
Please select an option
Min: 250 ft., Max: 10,000 ft.
Spool (250 ft.)
$120.00
Please select an option
Maximum reached, contact us for custom orders
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Get Product Details

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"An industrial-grade solution for low-voltage power distribution, complex automation arrays, multi-point control loops, and specialized signaling systems. Engineered as a flexible, multi-conductor Vinyl Nylon Tray Cable (VNTC), this unshielded 18 AWG 4-conductor line carries a Type TC-ER rating—allowing you to drop the heavy material overhead and intensive installation labor of traditional conduit piping runs."

Why Installers Choose 18/4 VNTC Tray Cable

This 18 AWG 4-conductor cable is the field standard for balancing reliability with fast installation in automated environments. The 4-conductor layout is ideal for wiring setups requiring a dedicated power leg, neutral, ground, and signal line all bundled under a single rugged jacket.

Built with 7-strand compressed bare copper cores, it features heat- and moisture-resistant TFFN insulation enclosed in a flame-retardant, UV-resistant black PVC jacket. Engineered to pass strict field inspections, it maintains a continuous 90°C dry thermal limit and provides rugged defense against industrial chemical washdowns, oils, and grease.

  • Labor-Saving Exposed Run (ER) Rating: Engineered and tested to meet the exact structural crush and physical impact thresholds of metal-clad (MC) armor cable. This code compliance allows installers to drop the cable out of overhead trays directly to field equipment without secondary conduit pipe housing.

  • Flexible TFFN Core Construction: The internal 18-gauge bare copper conductors feature tight Class B stranding to drastically increase bending flexibility, making long pulls through tight bends, raceways, and wire channels effortless.

  • Superior Fire & Smoke Suppression: Fully certified under rigorous vertical tray flame simulations. The self-extinguishing PVC outer jacket prevents fire from climbing floor-to-floor while maintaining incredibly low smoke-release metrics during an emergency.

  • Seamless Indoor-to-Outdoor Transitions: Carries certified Direct Burial and Sunlight Resistant print legends, meaning the exact same line can run from an indoor control panel, drop into an outdoor dirt trench, or sit exposed in open sunlight without degrading.

Technical Specifications: 18 AWG 4-Conductor VNTC Tray Cable

  • Conductor Configuration: 4 Conductors (Unshielded)

  • Conductor Size: 18 AWG

  • Conductor Material: Fully Annealed Stranded Bare Copper (ASTM B3 & B8)

  • Conductor Stranding: 7 Strands (Class B compressed)

  • Conductor Color Code: Black, Red, Blue, and Orange

  • Insulation Profile: PVC with a slick Polyamide (Nylon) skin (Type TFFN / TFN)

  • Insulation Thickness: 0.015" PVC + 0.004" Nylon

  • Outer Jacket Material: Heavy-Duty, Lead-Free, Flame-Retardant Black PVC

  • Jacket Thickness: 0.045"

  • Nominal Outer Diameter (OD): 0.310 inches

  • Net Cable Weight: 56 lbs per 1,000 feet

  • Minimum Bending Radius: 2.17 inches (7 x nominal OD)

  • Voltage Rating: 600 Volts

  • Temperature Limits: 90°C Dry / 75°C Wet

  • Ampacity: 6 Amps

  • Compliance & Certifications: UL Listed Standard 1277 (Type TC or TC-ER-JP), UL 66 (TFN/TFFN), UL 83, UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire Propagation, Flame Rated FT4 / IEEE 1202 (70,000 BTU/HR), NEC Article 336, Article 501, and Article 725 for Class 1 control circuits.

Common Applications for 18/4 Unshielded Tray Cable

The 18/4 configuration is highly versatile and frequently utilized across commercial, industrial, and heavy residential control networks:

  • 3-Phase Low-Voltage Controls: Perfect for wiring up low-horsepower 3-phase motor starters, relays, and industrial push-button stations.

  • Building Automation Systems (BAS): Ideal for advanced HVAC control networks requiring separate lines for power, common, send, and receive signals.

  • Commercial Lighting & Relays: Routinely used to link multi-zone architectural lighting control panels and low-voltage relays.

  • Generator Control Interconnects: Excellent for routing the essential auxiliary, sensing, and battery charging lines between an automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a standby generator generator.



Technical Note: All values are nominal and subject to industry tolerances and manufacturer corrections. Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify that all materials meet the specific requirements of the project and comply with local electrical codes.


See Full Specifications

See Full Specifications

Physical Specifications

Wire Size (AWG/MCM) 18 AWG
Conductor Material Copper
Conductor Type Stranded
Strand Count 16
Outer Diameter (OD) (in/mm) 0.310 in. / 7.87 mm
Jacket Type (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride
Conductor Count 4
Shield Unshielded
Insulation Type (PVC) TFN
UL Listing Numbers UL 66, UL 83, UL1277, UL 1685

Technical Specifications

Voltage Rating 600V
Ampacity Rating 8
Direct Burial Rating Yes
Submersible No
Sunlight Resistance Rating Yes
Temperature Rating 90ºC
Standards UL 66, UL 83, UL1277
UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test
Approved as Type TC or TC-ER-JP, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial
ASTM B3, ASTM B8
NEC Article 336, Article 501, Article 725 for class 1 circuits.
Miscellaneous Information All values are nominal and subject to correction. Flat Construction is NOT TC-ER rated. Pair cables are Black, Red and numbered. Triad cables are Black, Red, Blue and numbered. Colors repeats after 36 conductors. There are no Green or White conductors or stripes

Usage & Installation

Primary ApplicationsIndustrial Power and Control Systems, Building Automation and Energy Management, Utility and Substation Wiring, Instrumentation and Process Control, Cable Tray Installations, Outdoor and Direct Burial.
Common Uses
  • Control circuits for motors
  • machinery
  • automated equipment
  • connecting sensors
  • actuators
  • and controllers for HVAC
  • lighting
  • and security systems.

Packaging & Dimensions:

Weight per Foot 0.056 lb

Shipping and Returns

Shipping and Returns

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.

Physical Specifications

Wire Size (AWG/MCM) 18 AWG
Conductor Material Copper
Conductor Type Stranded
Strand Count 16
Outer Diameter (OD) (in/mm) 0.310 in. / 7.87 mm
Jacket Type (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride
Conductor Count 4
Shield Unshielded
Insulation Type (PVC) TFN
UL Listing Numbers UL 66, UL 83, UL1277, UL 1685

Technical Specifications

Voltage Rating 600V
Ampacity Rating 8
Direct Burial Rating Yes
Submersible No
Sunlight Resistance Rating Yes
Temperature Rating 90ºC
Standards UL 66, UL 83, UL1277
UL 1685 Vertical-Tray Fire-Propagation and Smoke-Release Test
Approved as Type TC or TC-ER-JP, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial
ASTM B3, ASTM B8
NEC Article 336, Article 501, Article 725 for class 1 circuits.
Miscellaneous Information All values are nominal and subject to correction. Flat Construction is NOT TC-ER rated. Pair cables are Black, Red and numbered. Triad cables are Black, Red, Blue and numbered. Colors repeats after 36 conductors. There are no Green or White conductors or stripes

Usage & Installation:

Primary ApplicationsIndustrial Power and Control Systems, Building Automation and Energy Management, Utility and Substation Wiring, Instrumentation and Process Control, Cable Tray Installations, Outdoor and Direct Burial.
Common Uses
  • Control circuits for motors
  • machinery
  • automated equipment
  • connecting sensors
  • actuators
  • and controllers for HVAC
  • lighting
  • and security systems.

Packaging & Dimensions:

Weight per Foot 0.056 lb

Have Questions?

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Call Us.

(833) 268-8644

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18/4 Tray Cable is primarily used for transmitting low-amperage control, signal, and communication data rather than heavy main power. Common applications include:

  • Industrial Control Loops: Connecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), relays, and automated machinery panels.
  • Commercial Sign Loops & Intercoms: Wiring remote signal stations, telemetry devices, and facility intercom networks.
  • HVAC Systems: Running multi-stage thermostat controls and commercial heating/cooling sensors.
  • Traffic Control & Switching: Managing industrial switching pathways, relays, and localized municipal traffic signal hardware.

The -ER extension stands for Exposed Run. Per National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, this means the cable has passed strict UL crush and impact testing identical to armored metal cables. For installers, this is a major advantage: it legally allows you to transition the bare cable out of an overhead structural tray and drop it directly down to your machinery or equipment termination block without needing to run protective conduit piping up to 6 feet, drastically lowering labor and material costs.

Unshielded tray cables are the industry standard for general power, lighting, and basic digital control circuits where standard signaling is used. Because it lacks an internal aluminum foil barrier or drain wire, it is thinner, flexible, much easier to strip, and significantly cheaper.

You will need to step up to a shielded tray cable if you are worried about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) or running your lines directly alongside massive variable frequency drives (VFDs), heavy electrical motors, or high-voltage lines that throw off intense EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). If your installation environment doesn't have heavy, noisy equipment creating stray electrical signals, unshielded cable should get the job done flawlessly while keeping your project costs down.

Yes. The outer lead-free PVC jacket is fully UL-rated for Direct Burial and is mixed with highly resilient Sunlight Resistant (SUN RES) stabilizers. This means it can be trenched directly into subsurface earth without conduit, and it will not dry out, crack, or bake when exposed to harsh outdoor UV rays on industrial rooftops or open-air cable trays.

Wire America supplies an extensive inventory of both unshielded and shielded tray cable cut by the foot or on bulk reels. We ship directly from our regional hubs strategically located throughout the United States. We prioritize shipping tray cable from the warehouse nearest to your job site to keep transit times minimal. Orders typically arrive on site within 2-4 business days. Expedited shipping options are available at checkout for time-sensitive contractor deadlines.

This cable contains four fully annealed, stranded bare copper conductors. To protect the copper from physical wear, each conductor is insulated with a flame-retardant layer of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and finished with a clear Polyamide (Nylon) protective skin (often called VNTC or multi-conductor THHN/TFFN). Following standard industrial ICEA Method 1, Table E-2 guidelines, the conductors are cleanly color-coded for quick field identification:

  • Conductor 1: Black
  • Conductor 2: Red
  • Conductor 3: Blue
  • Conductor 4: Orange

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Call Us.

(833) 268-8644

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