Re: [FWDLK] Wiring vs. insulation quality vs. fire hazard

["Paul Schmidt" <shmitato@xxxxxxx>]

I am pretty sure that most of that wire is a TW or THW insulation, that is a
soft covering but only good for low temp.. Low temp. insulation also reduces
the ampacity of the wire[ amount of current].
         Paul A. Schmidt
-----Original Message-----
From: Lars Larson 56 Plymouth <LARSPAINTR@xxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 3:10 PM
Subject: [FWDLK] Wiring vs. insulation quality vs. fire hazard


>Ever do some of that patchup wiring and run down to the hardware  store or
>discount auto store and get a roll of that nice plastic covered no name no
>labeling wire in any one of a dozen colors, and guage?  Me too.
>But no more!
>I rewired the entire front end of my 56 wagon with Rhode island wiring
kits.
>Beautiful in appearance and fit.  And in some odds N ends underdash decided
I
>needed another wire from A to B and used that fine plastic coated stuff.
>Think it was in that aftermarket Sanyo radio installation.
>Well
>I did not recheck where I connected it to and turned on the ignition and
wife
>said "Do I smell something burning"  Of course I said NO but an instant
later
>I saw black smoke from under dash!!!!! Well off goes the ignition and
somehow
>I managed to keep the entire car from going up.  Naturally it was the
plastic
>coated stuff, it burned with a flame and scorched some of the RI wiring
very
>close by. BUT the RI stuff did not catch fire.  If it was that no name no
>label plastic it would have.
>Reason?
>The cotton fabric covering on the RI wiring is fire retardant material, a
far
>cry from that plastic that is combustible.
>After that I ordered several rolls in various colors and guages from RI
>wiring, eliminating that problem.
>As usual, cheap is almost never cheap.
>Hopefully other LOOK folks can learn from my potentially expensive
experience.
>Just FYI.
>L.
>
>PS- I am sure we must have an EE or Electrician in the group that can tell
us
>what wire stamped designation DOES have a fire resistant rating in the
>plastic wire.  And of course it will have to have the UL designation
besides,
>just like your appliance cords.
>