Hi, all:

We have an MLW S-3 that needs its control circuits rewired through next year. She's starting to have random electrical issues due to old, crumbling wire and insuation.

To ensure the new work will survive another fifty years of service, I want to be sure the guys are using wire of sufficient quality.

To those of you involved in rewiring locomotives, can you recommend suitable modern specs for the wire, insulation, etc.?

Thanks!

Steve Hunter

http://www.electrowire.com/products/exane/

Product specification sheets are available on the website.

PC

Use first quality (read USA/Canada made) wiring terminations such as those made by AMP, Burndy, etc along with the appropriate crimping tools. Items indicated as MILSPEC are acceptable.

Most of the terminals and crimping tools that are sold in the mass market stores are JUNK.

Another detail to remember-the anvil of the crimping tool should come down on the part of the terminal barrel that does NOT have the seam. I've seen too many many sloppy crimps that result in all kinds of faults.

Dave

I favor the Polyrad XT. A google search comes up with multiple vendors. I have spools that have an EMD part number.

Dale Grice

Polyrad XT is made by GCCC. The jacket/insulation is a thermoplastic converted to a thermoset via irradiating the material.

Last time I bought from Electrowire, they distributed locomotive wire and cable manufactured by Surprenant Wire and Cable.

EMD and GE have used either, as both meet the AAR specs. for same. (S-502 ?)


Dave

Exane, hands down. I had reels of it and used nothing else for locomotive wiring. I went to look for a link but then came back and saw that Preston already posted it... so...

Specs for Polyrad XT

http://www.awcwire.com/part.aspx?partname=157565-18

Specs for Exane

http://www.awcwire.com/part.aspx?partna ... 0-125-600v

Dave

Thanks, everybody!

I've passed all the info on to the volunteer who is leading the effort. He's an electrical engineer, so the work will be in good hands.

Steve Hunter