What the THHN and THWN-2 markings tell us
THHN is single-conductor building wire with thermoplastic insulation and a nylon outer covering. It is commonly used for branch circuits and feeders in conduit. Many reels carry both THHN and THWN-2 listings, but the second listing must be present.
| Marking or construction | What it means for identification | What to show us |
|---|---|---|
| THHN | Rated for dry locations up to 90°C | Complete type marking, not just the first four letters |
| THHN/THWN-2 copper | Copper conductor, PVC insulation and nylon covering; THWN-2 allows wet or dry locations up to 90°C | Copper identification, both type listings and voltage |
| THHN/THWN-2 aluminum | Aluminum conductor with PVC insulation and nylon covering; modern products can use compact-stranded 8000-series alloy | Aluminum or alloy marking and compact-stranding information |
| Additional MTW, T90 or CT markings | Separate ratings or uses that depend on the product and construction | The full legend and original tag, including any restrictions |
We review 600-volt THHN/THWN-2 building wire. The manufacturer specifications reference UL 83 for thermoplastic-insulated wire. A 90°C insulation rating is not an unrestricted installation ampacity, so report the marked rating rather than a breaker size.
If the print says XHHW-2 instead, list it as XHHW-2 feeder wire. Keep complete MC cable coils separate from loose THHN conductors. Our wire and cable buying categories cover those products individually.
Sizes, metals and colors to list
Our overall buying range is 14 AWG to 1000 kcmil, with copper and aluminum reviewed by their actual type and size. This does not mean both metals are commonly manufactured in every size. Copper THHN/THWN-2 is available across that range. The aluminum specification cited here starts at 6 AWG and extends to 1000 kcmil.
Copper in 14, 12 and 10 AWG can be solid or stranded. Larger copper building-wire sizes are typically stranded. Modern aluminum THHN/THWN-2 feeders commonly use compact-stranded conductors, so outside diameter alone is not a reliable size comparison.
| Size group | Details to include in your inventory |
|---|---|
| 14, 12 and 10 AWG | Copper, solid or stranded, color, coil or reel quantity |
| 8 AWG through 1 AWG | Exact AWG size, metal, stranding and continuous length |
| 1/0 through 4/0 AWG | Full size including the slash, metal and footage for each conductor |
| 250 through 500 kcmil | Exact kcmil size, reel count and matching lengths |
| 600 through 1000 kcmil | Individual reel identification, metal and documented balance |
For size-specific details, see 14, 12 and 10 AWG wire, 250 to 500 kcmil reels and 600 to 1000 kcmil wire.
List black, red, blue, brown, orange, yellow, white, gray and green reels separately. Include other colors or factory stripes exactly as they appear. Color helps describe the lot, but it does not prove the conductor metal, size or voltage rating. Do not omit a neutral or grounding-conductor reel when showing a group of leftover feeder conductors.
Read the print line and reel tag together
Look along an accessible section of the nylon covering for the repeating print. Photograph enough of it to capture the manufacturer, THHN and any THWN-2 designation, AWG or kcmil size, conductor identification, voltage and temperature markings. Include UL listing indications and any sunlight-resistance or cable-tray markings. Fields and wording vary by manufacturer and size; not every legend states them in the same order.
A date or production code may appear in the legend or on the tag. Photograph it without guessing how to decode it. On the reel tag, look for the product description, catalog number, color, conductor metal, original length, reel identifier and production information. Our reel-tag and jacket-print guide explains how those details work together.
The original tag describes what was supplied, not necessarily what remains. A reel reused for a different size or color needs extra care: compare its tag with the wire print. Footage marks are not present on every product. Where sequential marks exist, send the accessible readings and explain how you calculated the remaining continuous length.
Photos that make a THHN lot clear
Use real photos of your material, not catalog pictures. A readable tag alone cannot show how much wire remains or whether the outer wraps are damaged.
- Photograph the entire lot so we can count reels and see colors.
- Take a straight-on tag photo for each different size, metal or product.
- Capture a complete print sequence close enough to read without glare.
- Show the outer wraps, reel flanges and any loose coils or cut lengths.
- Photograph an existing exposed end if it safely shows solid or stranded construction. Do not remove insulation just for a photo.
- Show cracks, flattened sections, damaged nylon or signs of outdoor exposure rather than hiding them behind the tag.
Label each reel in your inventory and use the same identifier with its photos. Note footage as measured, estimated or original unopened quantity. Submit that record through Get an Offer, along with the Arizona pickup location.
What helps or hurts the offer
Full reels and long continuous balances give us more to review than many short pieces. Matching size, metal, listing and usable lengths can help describe a feeder group. List each color's balance separately; a group is not matched just because the reels look equally full.
Readable markings, intact packaging and clear ownership records support the review. Keep invoices, purchase orders or job closeout paperwork tied to the lot. Company-owned material must be released by someone authorized to sell it.
Missing tags, uncertain lengths and mixed products make an offer harder to assess. Sun exposure, water exposure, damaged flanges and worn outer wraps also matter. Keep leftover reels protected from Arizona sun while preserving the original labels. A sunlight-resistant marking does not make damaged insulation acceptable.
We do not buy burned or damaged wire, material chopped into short pieces, or wire you cannot show you own. There is no universal minimum quantity. Type, footage, condition and current demand all affect whether a THHN lot qualifies for a written offer.
Arizona jobs that can leave unused building wire
Branch-circuit changes, revised feeder routes and canceled equipment connections can leave unused THHN reels after commercial or industrial work. Electrical contractors with surplus inventory should separate untouched stock from wire already installed or pulled out of service.
In Chandler, Intel describes building two factories and modernizing an existing fab at its Ocotillo campus. For a contractor doing factory construction or equipment-support work, unused building-wire balances can remain when circuit schedules or installation quantities change.
Goodyear's Vantage AZ1 is another relevant example. Southland describes the data-center campus as under development with completion scheduled for 2028. Data-hall fit-outs and support systems are the kinds of work where sellers may have leftover branch-circuit and feeder reels. Keep those building-wire balances distinct from other data-center surplus cable, especially medium-voltage and specialty products.
These are project contexts, not claims that either company sells wire to us. Your reel markings and closeout records establish what is in your lot. We pick up anywhere in Arizona.
Mistakes to avoid before offering your reels
Do not describe all nylon-covered wire as dual-rated THHN/THWN-2. Read the complete type legend. Likewise, do not advertise an unmarked reel as sunlight resistant based on its color or on another reel's tag.
Keep unused cut lengths separate and report each continuous piece. Do not add their footage together and present the total as a single pull length. Preserve larger feeder balances on their reels instead of cutting them into smaller pieces for handling.
Do not relabel an estimate as verified footage. If the tag and print disagree, show both and explain the mismatch.