18 AWG High-Strength Copper Clad Steel Tracer Wire PE-45

18 AWG High Strength (HS) Copper Clad Steel (CCS) PE-45 Tracer Wire is a precision-engineered, light-gauge underground locating utility line optimized for localized gas service drops, residential water lateral connections, and telecommunication micro-duct tracing. Combining the mechanical durability of a solid steel core with the electrical conductivity of a concentric copper skin, this compact tracer 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 engineered specifically for applications where space inside conduits or tight open trenches is limited, but premium mechanical strength is still required. It provides an uninterrupted, highly localized electromagnetic path for utility line locating equipment to track non-metallic (PVC, HDPE, PE, fiberglass) underground pipes without breaking or stretching under installation and backfill stresses.

TENSILE BREAK LOAD PERFORMANCE

Unlike standard soft-drawn or hard-drawn pure copper wire, which stretches, narrows, and snaps under the mechanical settling forces of soil and backfill equipment, High Strength Copper Clad Steel is mechanically rated for excellent structural durability in a highly compact profile:

• High Strength (HS) Rating: 100 LBS minimum break load This represents the structural pulling threshold before mechanical failure occurs. While it is the lightest gauge in the high-strength family, the 100 lb rating provides roughly double the tensile strength of a standard 18 AWG solid copper wire. This allows the wire to easily handle standard soil compaction, settling, and trench backfill impact without risking internal core breaks.

Key Features

• High Strength (HS) Carbon Steel Core: Engineered using a specialized carbon steel center that provides superior structural tensile strength compared to standard copper wires, effectively preventing line snapping caused by soil settlement, stone impacts, or root intrusion.

• Metallurgically Bonded Copper Clad Layer: A continuous, 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 tough 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 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

• Residential Gas Service Lines & Drops: Running down lateral gas paths connecting the main neighborhood distribution line to the property meter.

• Water Lateral Connections: Locating small-diameter water lines, irrigation lines, and residential supply pipes.

• Telecommunication Service Drops: Installed alongside or pulled through micro-ducts for tracking buried fiber optic lines and cable bundles.

• Light Open-Trench Excavation: Placed directly over shallow non-metallic utility lines inside standard backfill trenches to enable future top-side tracking.

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: 18 AWG

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

• Steel Core Type: 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: 100 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. Because 18 AWG is a thinner gauge, it is even more susceptible to localized corrosion if left unprotected. All 18 AWG HS tracer wire splices must utilize fully sealed, moisture-proof 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: 18 AWG Single-Conductor High Strength (HS) 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.

⚠️ The applications listed below are for informational and educational purposes only. Electrical code requirements vary significantly by region. Always consult a licensed electrician and your local building authority to verify compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC®) for your specific project before purchasing or installing cable.

Common 18 AWG HS-CCS PE-45 Use Cases Open-Cut & Open-Trench Utility Installations: Laid alongside non-metallic pipes or conduits during traditional excavation and backfilling where the wire must survive the mechanical stress of shifting rocks and compacting soil.

Gas & Liquid Pipeline Locating: Placed adjacent to buried polyethylene natural gas, petroleum, or hazardous chemical lines to provide a highly conductive path for future location signal tracing from the surface.

Water & Sewer Infrastructure Mapping: Deployed extensively with underground PVC water mains, sanitary sewer lines, storm drains, and reclaimed water networks to ensure non-metallic infrastructure remains detectable.

Irrigation & Sprinkler Systems: Utilized on commercial properties and golf courses alongside underground watering line networks for immediate mapping and protection against accidental shovel or excavator punctures.

Telecom & Fiber Optic Duct Tracing: Tied to underground fiber-optic conduits, cable television lines, and communication ducts so that precision frequency transmitters can map empty or full non-metallic paths.

High-Stress Ground Shifting Protection: Features an engineered fully annealed, high-carbon steel core that stretches up to 15 percent, preventing line breakage under heavy freeze-thaw cycles or settling soil.

Who Relies on 18 AWG HS-CCS PE-45? Target Industries Municipal Water & Public Works: Implemented by municipal utility districts to prevent " unlocatable " pipe systems and drastically reduce accidental line strikes during roadwork.

Civil & Underground Utility Construction: Relied upon heavily during master-planned development excavation, trenching, and utility plowing projects.

Oil & Gas Distribution: Selected by energy companies to safeguard critical non-metallic fuel pipelines with long-lasting, code-compliant tracing capabilities.

Commercial Landscaping & Irrigation: Used across expansive commercial farms, sports complexes, and golf courses for complex underground water infrastructure mapping.

Core Professionals & Buyers Excavation & Trenching Contractors: Installers who choose high-strength copper-clad steel (HS-CCS) over soft copper because it provides twice the tensile breaking strength (107 lbs break load), preventing costly snap-breaks during backfilling.

Utility Locating Technicians: Field specialists who rely on the metallurgical bond of the copper cladding to transmit precise locating signals with standard electromagnetic equipment.

Project Estimators & Procurement Managers: Buyers tracking project overhead who leverage CCS to achieve the exact signal conductivity of copper at a more stable, cost-effective price point with zero scrap-theft appeal.

Civil Engineers & Inspectors: Asset management professionals who mandate heavy-duty 45 mil high-density polyethylene (HDPE) insulation (PE-45) to pass rigorous direct-burial impact, chemical, and moisture specifications.

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.