{"product_id":"18-awg-high-strength-ccs-tracer-wire-pe-45","title":"18 AWG High-Strength Copper Clad Steel Tracer Wire PE-45","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e18 AWG High Strength (HS) Copper Clad Steel (CCS) PE-45 Tracer Wire\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003cb\u003e45-mil, high-density high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HDPE \/ HMWPE) insulation layer\u003c\/b\u003e specifically designated under the industry standard \u003cb\u003ePE-45\u003c\/b\u003e rating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTENSILE BREAK LOAD PERFORMANCE\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh Strength (HS) Rating: 100 LBS minimum break load\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh Strength (HS) Carbon Steel Core:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMetallurgically Bonded Copper Clad Layer:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeavy-Duty 45-Mil PE-45 Insulation:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOptimal High-Frequency Traceability:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrosion-Resistant Armor Skin:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCommon Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eResidential Gas Service Lines \u0026amp; Drops:\u003c\/b\u003e Running down lateral gas paths connecting the main neighborhood distribution line to the property meter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Lateral Connections:\u003c\/b\u003e Locating small-diameter water lines, irrigation lines, and residential supply pipes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTelecommunication Service Drops:\u003c\/b\u003e Installed alongside or pulled through micro-ducts for tracking buried fiber optic lines and cable bundles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight Open-Trench Excavation:\u003c\/b\u003e Placed directly over shallow non-metallic utility lines inside standard backfill trenches to enable future top-side tracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIndustry Standard APWA Color Code Guide\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTracer 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Precaution Blue:\u003c\/b\u003e Designated strictly for Potable (Drinking) Water Systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Alert Orange:\u003c\/b\u003e Used for Telecommunications, Fiber Optic Networks, and Traffic Signal loops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh Visibility Yellow:\u003c\/b\u003e Reserved exclusively for Natural Gas, Petroleum, and other Gaseous or Hazardous Materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Public Works Green:\u003c\/b\u003e Assigned to Sanitary Sewers, Force Mains, and Drain Lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Purple:\u003c\/b\u003e Utilized for Reclaimed Water, Irrigation Systems, and Slurry Lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSafety Alert Red:\u003c\/b\u003e Deployed for Electric Power Distribution circuits and high-voltage Conduit Trunks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConductor Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 18 AWG\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConductor Type:\u003c\/b\u003e High Strength Copper Clad Steel (HS-CCS)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSteel Core Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Carbon Steel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCopper Clad Volume:\u003c\/b\u003e 21% Conductivity (Minimum thickness matches ASTM B910 specifications)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInsulation Material:\u003c\/b\u003e High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE \/ HMWPE - PE-45 Rating)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInsulation Thickness:\u003c\/b\u003e 45 Mils (1.14 mm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTensile Strength:\u003c\/b\u003e 100 lbs minimum break load\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVoltage Rating:\u003c\/b\u003e 30 Volts (Locating signaling systems only)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOperating Temperature:\u003c\/b\u003e -40 degrees C to +80 degrees C Continuous Burial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCompliance Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e ASTM B910, ASTM D1248, APWA Color Code Compliant, Buy American Act Approved\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Note:\u003c\/b\u003e To maintain an uninterrupted electromagnetic trace path, underground connections \u003cb\u003emust never be wrapped with standard electrical tape or connected with non-watertight wire nuts\u003c\/b\u003e. 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExposing 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCABLE TYPE:\u003c\/b\u003e 18 AWG Single-Conductor High Strength (HS) Copper Clad Steel Tracer Wire (45-Mil PE-45 Insulation)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDISCLAIMER:\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wire America","offers":[{"title":"Blue \/ 500 ft. Spool","offer_id":53626185384250,"sku":"18TRWHS45-500-BL","price":133.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blue \/ 1000 ft. Spool","offer_id":53626185417018,"sku":"18TRWHS45-1K-BL","price":264.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blue \/ 2500 ft. 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