Wire, Cable and Accessories

General Information and Selection

Different strain gage installation conditions and test
specifications often necessitate the use of different
types or sizes of leadwires. For accurate, reliable strain
measurements, it is important to use an appropriate type
of leadwire for each installation. Micro-Measurements
stocks a wide variety of wires and cables, cataloged in
tabular form on the following pages. All wires and cables
listed in the tables have been proven in the field to give
excellent sensor performance when properly used in the
specified environments. Special gage wiring problems may
require the use of wires not listed here. In such cases, our
Applications Engineering Department can recommend
appropriate wire types and can suggest suppliers.

WIRE AND CABLE CODING SYSTEM

3 26 — D F V
Number of Conductors
AWG (American Wire Gauge) Wire Size

Types of Wire Construction Insulation

A: Solid copper F: Flat cable E: Etched TFE Teflon®
B: Stranded copper J: Twisted cable with jacket F: Fiberglass braid
D: Tinned stranded copper S: Shielded/twisted with jacket K: Kapton® (polyimide) wrap
F: Silver-plated stranded T: Twisted cable without jacket N: Nylon/polyurethane enamel
G: Nickel-clad solid copper W: Round single wire P: Polyurethane enamel
H: Solid Manganin Q: Polyimide enamel
J: Solid Balco® T: TFE Teflon®
V: Vinyl (PVC)
Diameter Diameter
AWG (nominal) AWG (nominal)
in (mm) in (mm)
22 0.0253 0.643 34 0.0063 0.160
Balco is a Registered Trademark of W.B. Driver Company.
26 0.0159 0.404 36 0.0050 0.127 Teflon and Kapton are Registered Trademarks of DuPont.
27 0.0142 0.361 37 0.0045 0.114
30 0.0100 0.254 42 0.0025 0.064
*Solid core wire

RIBBON WIRE CODING SYSTEM

1 G L 64 001
Number of Conductors Thickness, in mils
Alloy Width
G: NiClad copper 64: 1/64 in (0.4 mm)
K: Nichrome V L: Uninsulated ribbon 16: 1/16 in (1.6 mm)
08: 1/8 in (3.2 mm)

The Wire and Cable Coding System shown above gives according to the number of conductors. All wires and
the unique designation of each wire type for ordering cables are supplied on spools for user convenience.
purposes. The leadwire and cabling selection charts Some styles may not be continuous length.
presented on the next three pages are organized

References:
Application Note: TT-601, Techniques for Bonding Leadwires to Surfaces Experiencing High Centrifugal Forces.
Application Note: TT-604, Leadwire Attachment Techniques for Obtaining Maximum Fatigue Life of Strain Gages.
Application Note: TT-608, Techniques for Attaching Leadwires to Unbonded Strain Gages.

Document No.: 11024 For technical questions, contact www.micro-measurements.com

Revision: 20-Nov-2017 mm@vpgsensors.com 1
Wire, Cable and Accessories

General Information and Selection

SINGLE-CONDUCTOR TYPES: SOLID WIRE

Packaging
Type Description
Foot (Meter)*
Solid copper wire, polyurethane enamel: General-purpose
134-AWP 500 ft (150 m) intragage hookup wire. Useful from –100° to +300°F (–75° to
136-AWP 500 ft (150 m) +150°C). Enamel coating easily removed by applying heat
from soldering iron.
Solid copper wire, nylon/polyurethane enamel: Identical
AWP AWN 127-AWN 500 ft (150 m) in use and specifications to Type AWP above, but with
130-AWN 500 ft (150 m) superior abrasion resistance and slightly reduced insulation
134-AWN 500 ft (150 m) resistance at elevated temperatures. 134-AWN and 136-AWN
136-AWN 500 ft (150 m) are available in four colors; specify: –R (red), –W (white), –B
(black), –G (green).
Solid copper wire, polyimide enamel: Intragage hookup
127-AWQ 500 ft (150 m) wire. Temperature range –452° to +600°F (–269° to +315°C)
130-AWQ 500 ft (150 m) short term. Enamel is extremely tough and abrasion resistant,
134-AWQ 500 ft (150 m) with excellent electrical properties; generally removed by
mechanical scraping or sanding.
Solid nickel-clad copper wire, fiberglass braid
AWQ GWF 126-GWF 100 ft (30 m) insulation: Useful from –452° to +900°F (–269° to +480°C).
126-GWF 1000 ft (300 m) Recommended for use with WK-Series gages when silver
solder is used for lead attachment.
Solid manganin wire, nylon/polyurethane enamel: Used for
bridge balance and span set in transducer circuits. Nominal
137-HWN 200 ft (60 m)
resistance: 14 ohms/ft (50 ohms/m). Temperature range: +10°
to +125°F (–10° to +50°C).
Solid Balco® wire, nylon/polyurethane enamel: Used
HWN JWN for bridge temperature compensation of zero shift or span.
142-JWN 500 ft (150 m) Nominal resistance: 19 ohms/ft (65 ohms/m). Temperature
coefficient of resistance: +0.25%/°F (+0.45%/°C). Temperature
range: +10° to +300°F (–10° to +150°C).
SINGLE-CONDUCTOR TYPES: STRANDED WIRE
Packaging
Type Description
Foot (Meter)*
Stranded tinned-copper wire, vinyl insulation: General-
purpose leadwire. Useful to +180°F (+80°C). Vinyl insulation
126-DWV 100 ft (30 m)
becomes brittle at low temperature; not normally used below
–60°F (–50°C). Specify red, white, black, or green.
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, Kapton® polyimide
insulation: High- performance. Recommended for unusually
126-FWK 25 ft (7.5 m) severe service from –452° to over +600°F (–269° to +315°C)
short term. Excellent resistance to abrasion, radiation, and
outgassing in high vacuum. Treated for bondability.
DWV FWK FWT Stranded silver-plated copper wire, Teflon® insulation:
Wide temperature range. Useful from –452° to +500°F (–269°
130-FWT 100 ft (30 m) to +260°C). When bonding to Teflon-insulated wire, insulation
must be treated with Tetra-Etch® compound (see “Special-
Purpose Materials.”) Specify red, white, black, or green.
*Some types may not be continuous length.

Balco is a Registered Trademark of W.B. Driver Company.

Kapton and Teflon are Registered Trademarks of DuPont.
TetraEtch is a Registered Trademark of W.L. Gore.

www.micro-measurements.com For technical questions, contact Document No.: 11024

2 mm@vpgsensors.com Revision: 20-Nov-2017
 Wire, Cable and Accessories

General Information and Selection

THREE-CONDUCTOR CABLE
Packaging
Type Description
Foot (Meter)*
Stranded tinned-copper wire, 3-conductor twisted cable,
chrome PVC vinyl jacket, vinyl insulation: Good choice for
322-DJV 500 ft (150 m)
use with EGP-Series Embedment Strain Gages. Color-coded
red/white/black.
326-DFV 100 ft (30 m) Stranded tinned-copper wire, 3-conductor flat cable, vinyl
326-DFV 1000 ft (300 m) insulation: Convenient general-purpose cable. For use from
DJV DFV 330-DFV 100 ft (30 m) –60° to +180°F (–50° to +80°C). Flat construction requires
330-DFV 1000 ft (300 m) minimum space. Color-coded red/white/black.

Stranded copper wire, 3-conductor twisted cable, PVC

326-BSV 100 ft (30 m)
insulated, braided shield: For use from –60° to 180°F (–50° to
326-BSV 1000 ft (300 m)
+80°C).

Stranded tinned-copper wire, 3-conductor twisted cable,

326-DTV 100 ft (30 m) vinyl insulation: Convenient general-purpose cable for low
326-DTV 1000 ft (300 m) electrical noise pickup. For use from –60° to +180°F (–50° to
+80°C). Color-coded red/white/black.

BSV DTV DSV Stranded tinned-copper wire, 3-conductor twisted cable,

vinyl insulation, braided shield, vinyl jacket: Special-
326-DSV 100 ft (30 m)
purpose cable to minimize electrical noise interference. Useful
326-DSV 1000 ft (300 m)
from –60° to +180°F (–50° to +80°C). Color-coded red/white/
black.

Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 3-conductor flat cable,

330-FFE 100 ft (30 m) etched Teflon® insulation: For use from –452°F to +500°F
330-FFE 1000 ft (300 m) (–269°C to +260°C). Color-coded red/white/black. Insulation
treated for bonding.

FFE
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 3-conductor twisted
cable, Teflon insulation, Teflon jacket: Small, flexible. For
330-FJT 100 ft (30 m) use from –452° to +392°F (–269° to +200°C). Color-coded
330-FJT 1000 ft (300 m) red/white/black. When bonding Teflon-insulated wire, insulation
must be treated with Tetra-Etch® compound (see “Special-
Purpose Materials.”)
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 3-conductor twisted
cable, etched Teflon insulation: Small, flexible cable. For
336-FTE 50 ft (15 m)
use from –452° to +500°F (–269° to +260°C). Color-coded red/
white/black. Insulation treated for bonding.
326-FTE 100 ft (30 m) Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 3-conductor twisted
326-FTE 500 ft (150 m) cable, etched Teflon insulation: For use from –452° to +500°F
330-FTE 100 ft (30 m) (–269° to +260°C). Color-coded red/white/black. Insulation
FJT FTE GJF 330-FTE 500 ft (150 m) treated for bonding.
Solid nickel-clad copper wire, 3-conductor twisted cable,
fiberglass braid insulation and jacket: For use from –452°
326-GJF 100 ft (30 m)
to +900°F (–269° to +480°C). Recommended for use with WK-
326-GJF 1000 ft (300 m)
Series gages when silver solder is used for lead attachment.
Color-coded red/white/black.
*Some types may not be continuous length.

Teflon is a Registered Trademark of DuPont.

TetraEtch is a Registered Trademark of W.L. Gore.

Document No.: 11024 For technical questions, contact www.micro-measurements.com

Revision: 20-Nov-2017 mm@vpgsensors.com 3
Wire, Cable and Accessories

General Information and Selection

FOUR-CONDUCTOR CABLE
Packaging
Type Description
Foot (Meter)*
Stranded copper wire, 4-conductor twisted cable, PVC
426-BSV 100 ft (30 m)
insulated braided shield: For use from –60° to +180°F (–50°C
426-BSV 1000 ft (300 m)
to +80°C).
426-DFV 100 ft (30 m) Stranded tinned-copper wire, 4-conductor flat cable, vinyl
BSV DFV 426-DFV 1000 ft (300 m) insulation: For use from –60° to +180°F (–50° to +80°C).
430-DFV 100 ft (30 m) Conductors easily separated for stripping and wiring. Color-
430-DFV 1000 ft (300 m) coded red/white/black/green.
422-DSV 100 ft (30 m) Stranded tinned-copper wire, 4-conductor polypropylene
422-DSV 1000 ft (300 m) insulated: Twisted shielded pairs (red/black and white/green)
424-DSV 100 ft (30 m) with a drain wire, PVC jacket. For use from –60° to +180°F
424-DSV 1000 ft (300 m) (–50°C to +80°C).
Stranded tinned-copper wire, 4-conductor twisted cable,
426-DTV 100 ft (30 m)
vinyl insulation: For use from –60° to +180°F (–50° to +80°C).
426-DTV 1000 ft (300 m)
Color-coded red/white/black/green.

DSV DTV Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 4-conductor twisted

cable, Teflon® insulation, braided shield, Teflon jacket:
Small, flexible cable. For use from –452° to +500°F (–269° to
430-FST 100 ft (30 m)
+260°C). Color-coded red/white/black/green. When bonding
430-FST 1000 ft (300 m)
Teflon-insulated wire, insulation must be treated with Tetra-
Etch® compound (see Special-Purpose Materials, document
number 11008).
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 4-conductor twisted
426-FTE 100 ft (30 m) cable, etched Teflon insulation: For use from –452° to
426-FTE 500 ft (150 m) +500°F (–269° to +260°C). Color-coded red/white/black/green.
Insulation treated for bonding.
FST FTE/FTT
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 4-conductor twisted
cable, Teflon® insulation: Small, flexible cable. For use from
436-FTT 100 ft (30 m) –452° to +500°F (–269° to +260°C). Color coded red, white,
436-FTT 500 ft (150 m) black, green. When bonding Teflon insulated wire, insulation
must be treated with Teflon etchant, such as TEC-1 (see
Special- Purpose Materials, document number 11008).
Stranded silver-plated copper wire, 4-conductor flat cable,
Teflon® insulation: For use from –452° to +500°F (–269° to
426-FFT 100 ft (30 m) +260°C). Color coded red, white, black, green. When bonding
426-FFT 500 ft (150 m) Teflon insulated wire, insulation must be treated with a Teflon
FFT
etchant, such as TEC-1 (see Special-Purpose Materials,
document number 11008).
FLAT RIBBON LEAD (UNINSULATED)
Packaging
Type Description
Foot (Meter)*
Uninsulated flat ni-clad copper ribbon: 1/64 in wide x
1-GL-64-001 50 ft (15 m) 0.001in thick (0.4 x 0.025 mm). For use from –452 to 900°F
(–269 to +480°C). Can be easily soldered or spot welded.

Uninsulated Nichrome V: 1/16 in wide x 0.002 in thick (1.6 x

1-KL-16-002 50 ft (15 m)
0.05 mm). For use from –452 to + 2000°F (–269 to +1100°C).

Uninsulated Nichrome V: 1/8 in wide x 0.003 in thick (3.2 x

1-KL-08-003 50 ft (15 m)
0.08 mm). For use from –452 to +2000°F (–269 to +1100°C).

Uninsulated Nichrome V: 1/8 in wide x 0.005 in thick (3.2 x

1-KL-08-005 50 ft (15 m)
0.127 mm). For use from –452 to +2000°F (–269 to +1100°C).

*Some types may not be continuous length.

Teflon is a Registered Trademark of DuPont.

TetraEtch is a Registered Trademark of W.L. Gore.

www.micro-measurements.com For technical questions, contact Document No.: 11024

4 mm@vpgsensors.com Revision: 20-Nov-2017
 Wire, Cable and Accessories

General Information and Selection

HST-1 HEAT-SHRINKABLE WIRE SPLICE SEALANT

Fast, easy-to-use method for protecting wire splice connections.

Constructed of irradiated polyolefin plastic tubing with a heat-
flowable inner liner sealant. Forms an immediate and tight seal
to splice connection at a shrink temperature of +275°F (+135°C).
Inside diameter before heating is 0.125 in (3.2 mm); after heating,
0.023 in (0.6 mm). Large range of shrinkage allows use with
leadwire insulation diameters from 0.03 to 0.11 in (0.75 to 2.8
mm). The operating temperature range is –65° to +230°F (–55° to
+110°C). Package of eight 6-in (150-mm) lengths.

THERMAL WIRE STRIPPER

The ease and simplicity of operation of the Thermal Wire Stripper

make it ideal for most strain gage leadwire stripping. The variable
heat control allows stripping of all thermoplastic insulations,
including Teflon®, in sizes No. 18 to No. 36 AWG (1 to 0.1 mm
diameter). The foot switch and tweezer hand- piece give excellent
operator control over the stripping operation. Includes power
unit and foot switch, both with 3-wire NEMA plugs, and tweezer
handpiece.
WTS-1: 110 Vac
WTS-2: 220 Vac (not CE rated)
WTS-A Replacement Elements: Set of two.

Teflon is a Registered Trademark of DuPont.

Document No.: 11024 For technical questions, contact www.micro-measurements.com

Revision: 20-Nov-2017 mm@vpgsensors.com 5