1 / 5

Product

Solid copper HMWPE utility tracer wire100 % IACS Pure Cu14 / 12 / 10 / 8 AWG30 mil & 45 mil HMWPE

Copper HMWPE Tracer WireASTM B3 / B1 solid & stranded 100 % IACS copper direct-burial utility locator wire with

Pure solid or 7-strand bare copper underground utility locator and cathodic protection wire (Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire) to ASTM B3 (soft-annealed) and ASTM B1 (hard-drawn) in 14, 12, 10 and 8 AWG, insulated with 30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm) APWA.

Water-resistant

Ozone, UV & moisture

Outdoor & humid

Approved

Copper Tracer Wire Size

Order designation: TW-CU-SOFT-12AWG-45MIL
HMWPE wall: 45 (1.14) mil (mm)
Break load: 890 N (200 lbf)
Max DC R20: 5.21 Ω/km
Overall OD: 4.33 mm

All sizes (12)

Request a quote Datasheet WhatsApp

Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum

Conductor: 100% IACS PureCu
Sizes: 14 to 8 AWG
HMWPE wall: 30 mil or 45 mil
Voltage rating: 30 V / 600 V
Operating temp: −55 to +75 °C
APWA colours: APWA 7 Colours

Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM B3 / ASTM B1 / ASTM D1248 / ICEA S-70-547 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire right for your machine?

Selected by municipal utilities that mandate 100 % IACS pure copper conductivity for long-distance RF locating or combined cathodic protection test leads.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Ideal for open-cut trench lay-in alongside PE gas mains, PVC water pipes, gravity sewers and fibre-optic ducts.

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

45 mil HMWPE exhibits < 0.01 % water absorption and resists acidic/alkaline groundwater and cathodic disbondment.

Trailing & towing

With conditions

Hard-drawn ASTM B1 10/8 AWG handles light plough-in; for high-tension directional boring use CCS or 316 SS tracer wire.

Use CCS HMWPE Tracer Wire

Energy chain / drag chain

Not suitable

Solid underground utility tracer wire is strictly for static burial, not repetitive flexing.

Use CCS HMWPE Tracer Wire

Typical machinesOpen-Cut Municipal Natural Gas & Propane Polyethylene MainsPotable Water, Fire-Main & Reclaimed Water PVC PipelinesSanitary Sewer, Storm Drain & Force-Main LocatingCathodic Protection Anode Header & Test-Station LeadsUnderground Fibre-Optic & Street-Lighting Duct Banks

Construction

Layer by layer

Representative open-trench build: 1 × 12 AWG (2.05 mm) or 10 AWG (2.59 mm) solid soft-drawn ASTM B3 or hard-drawn ASTM B1 bare copper conductor (100 % IACS) + 30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm) virgin High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE) direct-burial insulation in APWA Uniform Color Code.

Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data

#	Layer	Material & reference
1	100 % IACS solid or 7-strand bare copper (ASTM B3 / B1)	High-conductivity electrolytic tough-pitch (ETP) copper available in Soft-Annealed (ASTM B3) for easy splice-box termination, Hard-Drawn (ASTM B1) for higher pull strength, or 7-strand (ASTM B8) for cathodic leadsProvides the lowest possible DC loop resistance (5.21 Ω/km on 12 AWG, 3.28 Ω/km on 10 AWG) for multi-kilometre RF signal propagation
2	Primary HMWPE direct-burial moisture & dielectric barrier	Virgin High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene per ASTM D1248 Type I/III Class A/C Category 4/5 rated 30 V or 600 V direct burialInsulates the locating tone from wet soil and protects the copper core against rocks, backfill settlement and chemical corrosion
3	30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm) HMWPE direct-burial jacket	APWA colour-stabilized abrasion, rock-impingement and soil-chemical resistant outer jacketProtects underground locating signal against soil moisture, rocks and trench backfill

CU-SOFT-HMWPE (ASTM B3 Soft-Annealed Open-Trench Grade)

Dead-soft annealed solid copper with 30 mil or 45 mil HMWPE for hand-laid open trenches, valve boxes and tight pedestal bends

CU-HARD-HMWPE (ASTM B1 Hard-Drawn High-Strength Grade)

Cold-drawn hard temper solid copper (~2× higher tensile break load than soft copper) with 45 mil HMWPE for vibratory plough-in

CU-STR-HMWPE (ASTM B8 7-Strand Cathodic / Locator Grade)

Flexible 7-strand bare copper with 45 mil or 60 mil HMWPE for combined tracer wire and cathodic protection test-station leads

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on ASTM B3 / ASTM B1 / ASTM D1248 / ICEA S-70-547. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated voltage: 30 V (30 mil wall) · 600 V (45 mil heavy wall)
DC conductivity: 100 % IACS min. (ASTM B3 soft) · 96.2 % IACS min. (ASTM B1 hard)
Max DC resistance (20 °C): 14 AWG: 8.28 Ω/km · 12 AWG: 5.21 Ω/km · 10 AWG: 3.28 Ω/km · 8 AWG: 2.06 Ω/km
Dielectric spark test: 5.0 kV to 7.5 kV AC in-line 100 % spark test
Locating frequency range: 512 Hz, 8 kHz, 33 kHz, 82 kHz + DC continuity

Thermal

Operating temperature: −55 °C to +75 °C (wet or dry direct burial)
Installation & storage temperature: −40 °C to +70 °C

Mechanical

Conductor sizes: 14 AWG (2.08 mm²), 12 AWG (3.31 mm²), 10 AWG (5.26 mm²), 8 AWG (8.37 mm²)
Nominal break load (Soft B3): 14 AWG: 560 N · 12 AWG: 890 N · 10 AWG: 1,400 N · 8 AWG: 2,220 N
Nominal break load (Hard B1): 14 AWG: 950 N · 12 AWG: 1,500 N · 10 AWG: 2,350 N · 8 AWG: 3,650 N
HMWPE wall thickness: 30 mil (0.76 mm) or 45 mil (1.14 mm)

Resistance

Soil & chemical resistance: Impervious to humic acid, alkalis, methane & chlorides
Environmental stress crack: ASTM D1693 ESCR F0 > 1,000 h

Reference standards

Conductor standards: ASTM B3 (Soft) · ASTM B1 (Hard-Drawn) · ASTM B8 (7-Strand)
Insulation standards: ASTM D1248 · ICEA S-70-547 · UL 83 / UF-B direct burial

Identification

APWA Uniform Color Code: Yellow (Gas) · Blue (Water) · Green (Sewer) · Purple (Reclaimed) · Orange (Telecom) · Red (Electric) · Black
Surface legend: TEBAOFLEX [AWG] SOLID COPPER [SOFT/HARD] [30/45 MIL] HMWPE TRACER WIRE DIRECT BURIAL
Customs tariff (HS): 8544.49

Sizes

12 standard Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire open-trench, hard-drawn & 7-strand builds

Covers 14, 12, 10 and 8 AWG in Soft-Annealed (ASTM B3), Hard-Drawn (ASTM B1) and 7-Strand (ASTM B8) with 30 mil and 45 mil HMWPE walls.

AWG size, copper temper, break load & DC resistance
Order designation	Size & Temper	HMWPE Wall mil (mm)	Cu OD mm	Overall OD mm	Break Load N (lbf)	Max R20 Ω/km	Weight kg/km
ASTM B3 Soft-Annealed Solid Copper Tracer Wire (Open-Cut Trench Lay-In)
TW-CU-SOFT-14AWG-30MIL	14 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	30 (0.76)	1.63	3.15	560 N (126 lbf)	8.28	24.0
TW-CU-SOFT-14AWG-45MIL	14 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	45 (1.14)	1.63	3.91	560 N (126 lbf)	8.28	27.5
TW-CU-SOFT-12AWG-30MIL	12 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	30 (0.76)	2.05	3.57	890 N (200 lbf)	5.21	36.2
TW-CU-SOFT-12AWG-45MIL	12 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	45 (1.14)	2.05	4.33	890 N (200 lbf)	5.21	40.5
TW-CU-SOFT-10AWG-30MIL	10 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	30 (0.76)	2.59	4.11	1,400 N (315 lbf)	3.28	55.4
TW-CU-SOFT-10AWG-45MIL	10 AWG Solid Soft (B3)	45 (1.14)	2.59	4.87	1,400 N (315 lbf)	3.28	60.5
ASTM B1 Hard-Drawn Solid & ASTM B8 7-Strand Copper Tracer / Cathodic Wire
TW-CU-HARD-12AWG-30MIL	12 AWG Solid Hard (B1)	30 (0.76)	2.05	3.57	1,500 N (337 lbf)	5.38	36.2
TW-CU-HARD-12AWG-45MIL	12 AWG Solid Hard (B1)	45 (1.14)	2.05	4.33	1,500 N (337 lbf)	5.38	40.5
TW-CU-HARD-10AWG-45MIL	10 AWG Solid Hard (B1)	45 (1.14)	2.59	4.87	2,350 N (528 lbf)	3.39	60.5
TW-CU-HARD-8AWG-45MIL	8 AWG Solid Hard (B1)	45 (1.14)	3.26	5.54	3,650 N (820 lbf)	2.13	92.0
TW-CU-7STR-12AWG-45MIL	12 AWG 7-Strand Cu (B8)	45 (1.14)	2.32	4.60	920 N (207 lbf)	5.32	42.0
TW-CU-7STR-10AWG-45MIL	10 AWG 7-Strand Cu (B8)	45 (1.14)	2.95	5.23	1,450 N (326 lbf)	3.35	62.8

Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
All builds are stocked in APWA Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, Red and Black on 500 ft, 1,000 ft and 2,500 ft spools.

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.

ConductorClass 5 stranding
Spark test100 % in-line
Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
DimensionsOD, wall thickness
Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch

Testing & inspection	Test value / reference	Frequency
Routine tests
DC conductor resistance & tensile elongation test	Verify 100 % IACS conductivity and soft (ASTM B3) or hard-drawn (ASTM B1) tensile properties	Every master spool
100 % in-line 7.5 kV AC HMWPE spark test	Ensure zero pinholes across the entire 30 mil or 45 mil direct-burial polyethylene wall	100 % of wire length
Sample tests
Wet insulation resistance & ESCR environmental stress crack	Verify insulation resistance in +50 °C water and > 1,000 h ESCR per ASTM D1693	Production lot

Inspection certificate

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

Product approvals

ASTM B3 (Soft) / ASTM B1 (Hard) / ASTM B8 (Stranded) CopperASTM D1248 30/45 mil Direct-Burial HMWPE

Company certificates

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

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX [AWG] SOLID COPPER [30/45 MIL] HMWPE TRACER WIRE 600V DIRECT BURIAL

Delivery form: 500 ft (152 m), 1,000 ft (305 m) & 2,500 ft (762 m) contractor spools
Colour range: Full APWA Uniform Color Code (Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple, Orange, Red, Black)
Lead time: Stock to 2 weeks ex-works

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFCopper HMWPE Tracer Wire – technical datasheet12 sizes · construction, technical data, approvals XLSXCopper 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.

When should a utility specify solid 100 % copper tracer wire instead of Copper-Clad Steel (CCS) tracer wire?

Solid 100 % copper (ASTM B3/B1) has nearly 5× lower DC loop resistance than 21 % IACS CCS (5.21 Ω/km vs 24.5 Ω/km on 12 AWG). Choose pure solid or 7-strand copper when municipal specifications mandate 100 % copper, when locating runs exceed several kilometres between test stations using low-frequency (512 Hz) signals, or when the wire doubles as a DC cathodic protection header or anode test lead.

What is the difference between Soft-Annealed (ASTM B3) and Hard-Drawn (ASTM B1) copper tracer wire?

Soft-annealed copper (ASTM B3) has 30–35 % elongation and bends effortlessly by hand inside valve boxes and waterproof splice capsules. Hard-drawn copper (ASTM B1) is cold-worked to roughly 1.7× the tensile break load of soft copper (e.g. 1,500 N vs 890 N on 12 AWG), resisting stretch during vibratory plough-in and heavy trench backfilling.

Should I specify a 30 mil or 45 mil HMWPE insulation wall for direct burial?

Specify 30 mil (0.76 mm, rated 30 V) for shallow sand-bedded open trenches and turf irrigation. Specify 45 mil (1.14 mm, rated 600 V) for deep municipal water, sewer and gas mains where stony backfill or long-term soil settlement requires heavy mechanical puncture resistance.

Why must underground copper tracer wire joints be sealed with waterproof silicone-gel connectors?

If a bare wire-nut splice is buried directly in wet soil, the locating transmitter's AC signal bleeds straight into the ground at the splice, causing a false dead-end reading downstream and accelerating electrolytic corrosion of the copper conductor.

Request a quote

Get an engineering quote for Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire

Your selection and application details are copied into the enquiry form below.

01Selected sizes

Use + Add next to a size or configuration.

02Reel & motion

Add your operating conditions here to include them in your enquiry.

Reel typeDrum core diameter (mm)Cable length on drum (m)Travel speed (m/min)Max. accelerationCycles per hourLength and quantityAmbient temperatureExposure (outdoor, water, oil, abrasion)Destination countryEquipment and operating conditions

03Message for our engineers

Copper HMWPE Tracer Wire

Selected sizes:


Reel & motion:
- Reel type: 
- Drum core diameter (mm): 
- Cable length on drum (m): 
- Travel speed (m/min): 
- Max. acceleration: 
- Cycles per hour: 
- Length and quantity: 
- Ambient temperature: 
- Exposure (outdoor, water, oil, abrasion): 
- Destination country: 
- Equipment and operating conditions:

Send via WhatsApp

Datasheet Request a quote