373 MCM Diesel Locomotive Cable, 2000V

373 MCM Diesel Locomotive Cable (DLO) is an industrial-grade, single-conductor portable power cable designed for high-capacity electrical setups, heavy infrastructure engineering, and extreme bulk power distribution networks. Rated for a maximum continuous electrical pressure of 2000 Volts, this heavy-duty power line is engineered to thrive under relentless physical vibration, severe environmental hazards, and continuous structural flexing.

While originally engineered to transmit raw energy from centralized diesel generator blocks to heavy traction wheel motors in locomotives, its exceptional durability makes it a top choice for industrial ecosystems. It functions as an ultra-flexible alternative to standard commercial building wire (such as THHN or XHHW-2) in complex installations where a tight bending radius or dynamic structural shifts make rigid wire impractical.

ELECTRICAL AMPACITY & PERFORMANCE DATA

Driven by its dense network of fine-drawn strands and a thick dual-layer insulation profile, 373 MCM DLO exhibits outstanding thermal dissipation properties and heavy-current handling limits:

• Maximum Current Capacity (30 degrees C Ambient Air): 545 AMPS This threshold is calculated using a continuous 90 degrees C conductor temperature operating as a single conductor in an open-air cable tray environment.

• National Electrical Code Adjustments: When grouping multiple single-conductor 373 MCM DLO lines inside a closed structural conduit, wire trough, or enclosed raceway, installers must apply standard NEC Article 310 derating adjustments based on ambient room temperatures and total enclosed conductor counts.

Key Features

• Extreme-Flexibility Class I Tinned Copper Conductor: Composed of approximately 925 individual strands of fully annealed tinned copper (typically a 925/24 layout configuration). This ultra-fine layout allows a massive 373,000 circular mil (MCM) core to bend smoothly around corners without kinking, while the outer tin layer neutralizes copper oxidation and simplifies lug terminations.

• Premium EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) Insulation: Shielded by a thick layer of high-dielectric EPR insulation. This thermoset compound handles extreme temperature swings without softening, cracking, or experiencing internal voltage tracking breakdowns under 2000V strains.

• Heavy-Duty CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene) Outer Jacket: Protected by an industrial-grade, abrasion-resistant black CPE jacket. It provides excellent defense against grease, fuel oils, petrochemical solvents, ozone, severe impacts, and continuous open-air sunlight exposure.

• Dual-Listed RHH/RHW-2 Standard Ratings: Certified under UL 44 as Type RHH/RHW-2, allowing code-compliant, permanent installation at 90 degrees C in both wet and dry architectural applications.

Common Applications

• Diesel-Electric Locomotive Infrastructure: Supplying core high-amp energy lines between central diesel generator blocks, dynamic braking grids, and heavy-duty traction wheel motors.

• Oil and Gas Drilling Rigs: Powering massive mud pumps, top drives, drawworks equipment, and offshore marine drilling platforms.

• Data Centers & Bulk Battery Storage Hubs: Interconnecting massive Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, utility-scale battery storage arrays, and high-voltage emergency backup setups.

• Industrial Motor & Generator Leads: Serving as flexible high-current feeder links on large manufacturing motors, mining machinery, and mobile generator sets.

• Shipboard & Marine Power Distribution: Supplying heavy-duty flexible power trunks across shipyards, commercial transport vessels, and marine docks.

Cable Layer Architecture (From Core to Jacket)

1. Central Conductor: 373 MCM rope-lay, bunch-stranded tinned copper core (approx. 925/24 configuration).

2. Separator Layer: Clear polyester or paper binding tape to prevent the fine copper strands from sticking to the primary insulation during high-heat stripping and termination operations.

3. Primary Insulation: Premium-grade Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR).

4. Outer Protective Armor: Rugged, thermoset, weather-proof Black Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) jacket.

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 373 MCM / 373.7 kcmil

• Conductor Stranding Count: Approx. 925 Strands (24 AWG individual strand size)

• Conductor Material: Tinned Annealed Copper

• Insulation Material: Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR)

• Jacket Material: Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)

• Nominal Outer Diameter: Approx. 1.06 inches (Varies slightly by manufacturer)

• Approximate Net Weight: Approx. 1,510 lbs per 1000 feet

• Voltage Rating: 2000 Volts Maximum

• Maximum Conductor Temperature: 90 degrees C (Continuous wet or dry)

• Compliance Standards: UL Listed Type RHH/RHW-2, Type RW90 (CSA), MSHA Approved (Mine Safety), ICEA S-95-658, NEMA WC-70, IEEE 1202/FT4 Flame Test Compliant, RoHS Compliant

Technical Note Regarding Lugs: Because 373 MCM DLO cable utilizes extra-fine Class I stranding, standard mechanical compression lugs or standard commercial building wire barrels must never be used. Attempting to force fine stranding into a standard building wire lug will tear the individual copper fibers and create a serious fire hazard from loose connections. Installers must exclusively use specialty chamfered compression lugs explicitly stamped and rated for "Flexible Strand, Class I, or DLO Cable" and secure them using calibrated crimping dies.

CABLE TYPE: 373 MCM Single-Conductor Flexible 2000V Diesel Locomotive Power Cable (Black CPE Jacket)

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Industrial high-voltage power networks and flexible cable trays must strictly comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC), local municipal safety enforcement mandates, and individual equipment installation datasheets. Always verify official product submittal listings and exact core metrics with your electrical component manufacturer prior to configuring terminal arrays or subjecting lines to high pulling forces.

⚠️ 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 373 MCM DLO 2000V Use Cases

• Locomotive Traction Motor & Generator Leads: Functions as the primary high-voltage, high-flexibility power lead supplying current from the main diesel generator to the traction motor blocks on commercial locomotives and mass transit rolling stock.
• Oil & Gas Rig Power Feeders: Deployed extensively on onshore and offshore drilling platforms to supply 2000V electricity to mud pumps, top drives, drawworks, and localized hazardous-area distribution panels.
• Data Center UPS & Battery System Trunks: Serves as a heavy-duty, high-ampacity distribution trunk cable connecting emergency backup generator plants and central uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery rooms to primary power grid frames.
• Heavy Mining Machinery Articulation: Routes raw electrical loads across the highly dynamic pivot joints and moving components of continuous miners, draglines, and large electric shovels operating in aggressive environments.
• Shipyard & Marine Vessel Propelling Leads: Deployed as heavy-duty shore-power lines, marine shipboard distribution cables, and shipyard fabrication grid feeders due to its high salt-spray and moisture resistance.
• Industrial Utility Substation Jumpers: Utilized by utility providers as highly flexible, heavy-duty temporary bypass cabling or permanent grounding transformer leads inside high-voltage substations.

Who Relies on 373 MCM DLO 2000V?

Target Industries

• Railroad & Mass Transit Engineering: Required by major locomotive builders and regional rail transit authorities for heavy freight and high-speed passenger train overhauls.
• Offshore Energy & Marine Infrastructure: Extensively utilized by marine engineering firms, oilfield operators, and deep-sea drilling platforms.
• Enterprise Cloud & Telecom Infrastructure: Integrated into hyperscale data center designs to handle bulk power distribution for massive server blocks.
• Heavy Industrial Mills & Processing Foundries: Selected by mining operators, steel factories, and heavy manufacturing foundries for high-power machinery leads.

Core Professionals & Buyers

• Industrial & Marine Electrical Engineers: Field specialists who specify 373 MCM Diesel Locomotive Cable (DLO) because its fine Class I tinned copper stranding (consisting of 925 individual 24 AWG strands) allows an ultra-thick cable to flex smoothly into tight radius layouts.
• Data Center Facility Architects: Procurement managers who rely on DLO's premium Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) insulation to provide unmatched 2000V dielectric protection and heat handling in dense spaces.
• Industrial Project Estimators: Procurement officers tracking long-term maintenance cycles who count on the heavy Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) thermoset jacket to resist oil, chemicals, acids, and ozone without cracking.
• Safety & Code Compliance Inspectors: Field regulatory officers who look for Dual-Rated RHH/RHW-2 attributes and MSHA flame-retardant listings to approve hazardous location or open cable tray wire configurations.

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.