What Is MG Wire?
MG wire is a high-temperature wire suitable for use in applications up to 450 degrees Celsius. The wire features heat-resistant insulation and a fiberglass braid outer jacket. If exposed to fire, the wire has minimal smoke generation. The high temp mica tape insulation does not melt or soften except at very high temperatures. You can use MG wire for high-temperature industrial applications like smelters, ovens, and kilns. It has good chemical resistance.
MG Wire Design
Allied Wire and Cable (AWC) MG lead wire has a single conductor core. The wire meets UL requirements for a multitude of specifications including UL 5107, UL 5128, UL 5359, and UL 5360. Technical features include:
Conductor Materials
The most common conductor is 27% stranded nickel-plated annealed copper. This material withstands temperatures up to 750ºC. It resists corrosion especially at high temperatures and welds easily. Alternative conductor materials are solid nickel and nickel-coated iron. Available conductor sizes are from 22 American Wire Gauge (AWG) to 500 AWG.
Insulation Materials
The wire insulation comprises mica tapes made from high-grade phlogopite mica paper that’s been impregnated with a high-temperature resin and backed by fiberglass. Mica paper retains its electrical insulating properties even at very high temperatures.
Jacket Material
The wire has a woven fiberglass braid jacket. The glass-reinforced jacket typically has a specially formulated silicone or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) high-temperature finish.
MG Wire Applications
MG high-temperature wire is suitable for use as lead wire in high heat applications. These include smelters and arc furnaces as well as industrial ovens and cement kilns. While the UL maximum temperature rating is 450ºC, most types will withstand 1000 degrees Fahrenheit or 538ºC. Other applications include steel rolling mills, glass manufacturing, and cooking appliances. Voltage ratings include 300 volts and 600 volts.
MG Wire Limitations
Although MG has excellent high-temperature and chemical resistance characteristics, its construction does not withstand constant flexing and you should protect it from mechanical damage. Consider Teflon Glass Glass Teflon (TGGT) wire for flexing applications.
MG Wire Certifications
AWC MG wire passes the IEEE 383 Vertical Flame Test (70,000 British thermal units or BTUs per hour for 20 minutes) and The Insulated Cable Engineers Association ICEA T-29-520 210,000 BTUs per hour vertical flame test. Specific certifications include:
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UL5107: Mica tape or mica composite insulated wire with braid for internal wiring up to 600 volts on high-temperature equipment (200ºC and 450ºC) that's not subject to repeated flexing.
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UL5128: Mica tape or mica composite insulated wire for internal wiring up to 300 volts on high-temperature equipment (450ºC) that's not subject to repeated flexing.
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UL5359: Mica tape or mica composite insulated wire with braid treated with silicon varnish or PTFE for internal wiring up to 600 volts on high-temperature equipment (200ºC and 450ºC) that's not subject to repeated flexing.
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UL5360: Mica tape or mica composite insulated wire with braid for internal wiring up to 300 volts on high-temperature equipment (200ºC and 450ºC) that's not subject to repeated flexing.
Most types of AWC MG wire conform to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) AWM I A/B FT1 specification. Contact us for more information on these high-temperature lead wires.