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Product

ASTM B869 CCS HMWPE utility tracer wireASTM B869 (21% IACS)30 / 45 mil HMWPEUp to 4,700 lbf HDD

CCS HMWPE Tracer WireASTM B869 21% IACS copper-clad steel 30/45 mil HMWPE direct-burial & HDD locator tracer

Direct-burial and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) underground utility locator tracer wire combining a 21 % IACS metallurgically clad carbon-steel conductor (ASTM B869, 14–8 AWG) with a 30 mil or 45 mil APWA colour-coded HMWPE/HDPE jacket (up to.

Water-resistant
Outdoor & humid
Ozone, UV & moisture
Approved
Order designation
TW-CCS-12AWG-EHS-45
Gauge & temper
12 AWG (2.05 mm) Extra-High-Strength
Jacket wall
45 (1.14) mil (mm)
Break load
1,150 (5,115) lbf (N)
Overall OD
4.34 (0.171″)
All sizes (12)
Request a quoteDatasheetWhatsApp
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Conductor
21% IACS CCS
ASTM B869 copper-clad steel (14–8 AWG)
Break load
280–4,700 lbf
1,245 N (14 AWG) to 20.9 kN (8 AWG EHS)
Jacket wall
30 or 45 mil
0.76 mm or 1.14 mm virgin HMWPE/HDPE
Voltage rating
30 V / 600 V
Direct-burial underground locator
APWA colours
Yellow/Blue/Grn
Gas, Water, Sewer, Reclaimed & Telecom
Theft value
Zero Scrap
Deters jobsite copper theft

Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM B869 / ASTM B910 / ASTM D1248 / ICEA S-95-658 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is CCS HMWPE Tracer Wire right for your machine?

Delivers up to 6× the tensile breaking strength of solid copper at lower weight and cost while carrying high-frequency locator tones identically to pure copper due to the skin effect.

Drilling jumbo & rotary mast feed

Suitable

Hard-drawn Extra-High-Strength (EHS) CCS with 45 mil HDPE/HMWPE jacket withstands 1,150–4,700 lbf Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD).

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

Virgin ASTM D1248 HMWPE insulation is impervious to groundwater, soil acids, humic compounds and cathodic protection currents.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Dead-soft Annealed (DSA) CCS variants bend and tie by hand just like solid copper in open-trench PE water, gas and sewer pipe laying.

Energy chain / drag chain

Not suitable

Solid conductor utility tracer wire is engineered for underground burial and trenchless pullback, not dynamic machine flexing.

Use 316SS 7x7 Tracer Wire
Typical machinesPE Natural Gas Distribution & Transmission MainsMunicipal Potable Water & Force-Main Sewer PipesHorizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) & Pipe BurstingReclaimed Water, Irrigation & Storm Drain NetworksFibre-Optic Microduct & Non-Metallic Conduit Locating

Construction

Layer by layer

Metallurgical bimetallic core: low-carbon steel (DSA open-trench grade) or AISI 1065 high-carbon steel (HS / EHS HDD grade) concentrically clad with ≥ 10 % copper by thickness (21 % IACS conductivity per ASTM B869) + 30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm) APWA colour-coded HMWPE/HDPE jacket.

123
Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
1High-strength carbon steel structural coreLow-carbon steel (Dead-Soft Annealed DSA for open trench) or high-carbon steel (Hard-Drawn HS / EHS for directional drilling)Provides 280 lbf to 4,700 lbf tensile break load so the wire never snaps during backfill compaction or HDD pullback
2Metallurgical oxygen-free copper cladding (21 % IACS)Continuous solid copper layer metallurgically diffusion-bonded to the steel core (≥ 3 % of wire radius thickness, 21 % IACS per ASTM B869)Carries 512 Hz to 83 kHz electromagnetic utility locator signals along the outer copper skin with zero galvanic delamination
330 mil or 45 mil HMWPE / HDPE direct-burial jacketExtruded virgin high-molecular-weight polyethylene (HMWPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ASTM D1248 Type I/III Class A/CResists rock impingement, directional-bore mud abrasion, moisture and 30 V / 600 V soil breakdown

CCS-DSA-30 (Open-Trench Annealed 30 mil HMWPE)

14, 12 or 10 AWG Dead-Soft Annealed (DSA) 21 % IACS CCS with 30 mil HMWPE jacket for open-cut water, gas and sewer trenches

CCS-EHS-45 (HDD Extra-High-Strength 45 mil HDPE/HMWPE)

12, 10 or 8 AWG Hard-Drawn Extra-High-Strength (EHS) 21 % IACS CCS with 45 mil HDPE/HMWPE jacket (1,150–4,700 lbf break load) for HDD

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM B869 / ASTM B910 / ASTM D1248 / ICEA S-95-658. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Conductivity
21 % IACS minimum at 20 °C (ASTM B869)
Rated voltage
30 V or 600 V direct burial (UL / ICEA S-95-658)
In-line DC / AC spark test
7.5 kV AC / 10 kV DC 100 % spark tested
Insulation resistance
≥ 25,000 MΩ·km at 20 °C

Thermal

Direct-burial temperature rating
−55 °C to +75 °C wet/dry
Installation & storage temperature
−40 °C to +70 °C

Mechanical

Gauge range
14 AWG (1.63 mm), 12 AWG (2.05 mm), 10 AWG (2.59 mm), 8 AWG (3.26 mm)
Break load (12 AWG DSA / HS / EHS)
300 lbf (1.33 kN) DSA · 680 lbf (3.02 kN) HS · 1,150 lbf (5.12 kN) EHS
Break load (10 AWG / 8 AWG EHS)
2,030 lbf (9.03 kN) 10 AWG EHS · 2,800–4,700 lbf 8 AWG / 7×EHS
Jacket wall thickness
30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm)

Resistance

Environmental stress crack (ESCR)
ASTM D1693 > 1,000 h zero failures
Chemical & soil immunity
Resistant to H2S, methane, chlorides, acids & bentonite drilling mud

Reference standards

Conductor standard
ASTM B869 (Annealed) · ASTM B910 / ASTM B452 (Hard-Drawn)
Insulation & colour standard
ASTM D1248 · ICEA S-95-658 · APWA Uniform Color Code

Identification

APWA jacket colours
Yellow (Gas), Blue (Water), Green (Sewer), Purple (Reclaimed), Orange (Telecom), Red (Electric)
Surface legend
TEBAOFLEX [AWG] CCS 21% ASTM B869 [30/45 MIL] HMWPE TRACER WIRE [LBF]
Customs tariff (HS)
8544.49 / 7217.30

Sizes

12 standard CCS HMWPE direct-burial & HDD utility locator tracer wire configurations

Covers Open-Trench Dead-Soft Annealed (DSA, 30 mil), High-Strength (HS, 30/45 mil) and HDD Extra-High-Strength (EHS, 45 mil) grades.

AWG size, temper, break load & jacket wall
Order designationConductor Size & TemperWall
mil (mm)		Break Load
lbf (N)		DC Res @20°C
Ω/km		Overall OD
mm (in)		Weight
kg/km		Enquiry
Open-Trench & Light Bore Grades — Annealed (DSA) & High-Strength (HS) 30 mil HMWPE
TW-CCS-14AWG-DSA-3014 AWG (1.63 mm) DSA Annealed30 (0.76)205 (912)39.23.15 (0.124″)21.5
TW-CCS-12AWG-DSA-3012 AWG (2.05 mm) DSA Annealed30 (0.76)300 (1,334)24.63.58 (0.141″)31.8
TW-CCS-10AWG-DSA-3010 AWG (2.59 mm) DSA Annealed30 (0.76)475 (2,113)15.54.11 (0.162″)48.2
TW-CCS-14AWG-HS-3014 AWG (1.63 mm) High-Strength30 (0.76)425 (1,890)39.83.15 (0.124″)21.5
TW-CCS-12AWG-HS-3012 AWG (2.05 mm) High-Strength30 (0.76)680 (3,025)25.03.58 (0.141″)31.8
TW-CCS-12AWG-HS-4512 AWG (2.05 mm) High-Strength45 (1.14)680 (3,025)25.04.34 (0.171″)36.5
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) & Pipe-Bursting Grades — EHS 45 mil HMWPE/HDPE
TW-CCS-12AWG-EHS-4512 AWG (2.05 mm) Extra-High-Strength45 (1.14)1,150 (5,115)25.44.34 (0.171″)36.8
TW-CCS-10AWG-HS-4510 AWG (2.59 mm) High-Strength45 (1.14)1,100 (4,893)15.84.88 (0.192″)53.5
TW-CCS-10AWG-EHS-4510 AWG (2.59 mm) Extra-High-Strength45 (1.14)2,030 (9,030)16.04.88 (0.192″)54.0
TW-CCS-8AWG-EHS-458 AWG (3.26 mm) Extra-High-Strength45 (1.14)2,800 (12,455)10.15.54 (0.218″)81.5
TW-CCS-7X14-EHS-457×0.064″ Stranded EHS Pipe-Burst45 (1.14)4,700 (20,906)6.27.16 (0.282″)152.0
TW-CCS-12AWG-EHS-6012 AWG EHS Rock-Bore 60 mil60 (1.52)1,150 (5,115)25.45.10 (0.201″)42.5
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • All configurations are stocked in APWA Uniform Color Code jackets: Yellow (Gas), Blue (Potable Water), Green (Sanitary Sewer), Purple (Reclaimed Water), and Orange (Telecom).

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

  1. ConductorClass 5 stranding
  2. Spark test100 % in-line
  3. Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
  4. SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
  5. Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
  6. DimensionsOD, wall thickness
  7. Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch
Testing & inspectionTest value / referenceFrequency
Routine tests
100 % 7.5 kV AC / 10 kV DC spark & pinhole testZero jacket holidays across entire spool lengthEvery production spool
Tensile breaking load & elongation testVerify rated lbf breaking load (e.g. ≥ 1,150 lbf on 12 AWG EHS)Every master wire heat
Sample tests
Copper cladding thickness & 21 % IACS conductivity testMetallurgical cross-section ≥ 3 % radius & ≥ 21 % IACSProduction lot

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

ASTM B869 / ASTM B910 21% IACS CCS CompliantASTM D1248 / ICEA S-95-658 Direct-Burial Rated

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX [AWG] CCS 21% ASTM B869 [30/45 MIL] HMWPE DIRECT BURIAL TRACER WIRE [LBF]
Standard spools
500 ft (152 m), 1,000 ft (305 m) & 2,500 ft (762 m) plastic spools
APWA colours
Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, Red & Black
Splice accessories
Direct-burial silicone-filled waterproof wire nuts & magnesium ground anodes
Lead time
1–2 weeks ex-works

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFCCS HMWPE Tracer Wire – technical datasheet12 sizes · construction, technical data, approvalsXLSXCCS HMWPE Tracer Wire spec data (Excel)All 12 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation
Revision
2026-10-20
Updated
2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

Why does 21 % IACS Copper-Clad Steel (CCS) trace just as well as 100 % solid copper at utility locator frequencies?
Electromagnetic pipe and cable locators inject alternating audio/RF signals (typically 8 kHz, 33 kHz, or 83 kHz). Due to the AC skin effect, high-frequency current travels almost entirely in the outer copper cladding layer rather than the center of the wire. At 33–83 kHz, a 21 % IACS ASTM B869 CCS wire exhibits virtually identical signal propagation to solid copper while delivering up to 6× the tensile breaking strength.
When should I specify 12 AWG EHS (45 mil) vs 12 AWG DSA (30 mil) CCS tracer wire?
Use 12 AWG DSA (Dead-Soft Annealed, 300 lbf break load, 30 mil HMWPE) for open-trench excavation where installers hand-wrap and tie the wire along PVC/PE water or gas mains. Use 12 AWG EHS (Extra-High-Strength, 1,150 lbf break load, 45 mil HDPE/HMWPE) or 10/8 AWG EHS (2,030–2,800 lbf) for Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) where the wire is pulled back through the borehole alongside the PE pipe.
Can Copper-Clad Steel corrode internally if the copper layer is scratched?
Unlike thin electroplated steel wire, ASTM B869 CCS is manufactured by metallurgically cladding a solid copper billet onto a steel core (minimum copper thickness ≥ 3 % of the wire radius, or ~10 % of cross-section) and drawing them together into a monolithic bond that cannot flake or peel. The thick 30 mil or 45 mil virgin HMWPE jacket isolates the metal from soil moisture.
Why do municipalities prefer CCS over solid copper tracer wire on public works jobsites?
Because Copper-Clad Steel has a steel core that is magnetic and cannot be smelted at scrap yards as #1 or #2 copper, it has zero scrap-theft value, eliminating jobsite reel theft while cutting material cost by 30–50 %.

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