Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables

Summary: Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables

Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables – Low-Voltage SmartWire

Windy City Wire manufactures petroleum resistant shielded cables designed for demanding low-voltage control, signal, and instrumentation in fuel dispensing, tank monitoring, leak detection, refinery and chemical facility environments. These SmartWire cables use materials and constructions intended to stand up to oils, gasoline, solvents, and moisture while maintaining electrical performance and signal integrity.

Why choose Windy City Wire for petroleum resistant shielded cable?

• Built for harsh petroleum environments: Fluoropolymer (FEP) insulation and jackets on select constructions deliver strong resistance to hydrocarbons, chemicals, and sunlight exposure while supporting plenum applications where required.
• Shielding options to control noise: Choose overall foil shields for general EMI/RFI reduction or each-pair shielded (EPS) constructions for higher signal fidelity on sensitive, multi-pair circuits.
• Reliable materials and workmanship: Stranded copper and tinned copper conductors, dedicated drain wires where applicable, and consistent geometry for dependable terminations and long service life.
• Smoother pulls, less effort: SmartWire Glide Technology lubrication is applied during manufacturing to help reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, contributing to faster, cleaner installations.
• Low-voltage, code-forward solutions: Plenum-rated options support installations in return air spaces, and select constructions are suited for wet locations and gas/vapor-tight needs. RoHS compliant offerings are available.
• Made in the USA: SmartWire is manufactured in the United States to support quality, availability, and consistency across projects.

How our petroleum resistant shielded cables add value

Contractors, integrators, and facility teams turn to Windy City Wire for dependable low-voltage petroleum cable that helps control installation time and lifecycle costs. Our petroleum resistant shielded cable lineup pairs appropriate shielding with robust FEP materials on select items to maintain signal integrity in electrically noisy, oil-rich, and wet environments. With SmartWire Glide lubrication included on all stock SmartWire cables, pulls are more predictable and rework is minimized—supporting your schedule and your budget across fuel systems, automation, safety, and monitoring applications.

Common applications

• Fuel dispensers, level sensors, and leak detection systems
• Tank farm monitoring, pump control, and valve actuation
• SCADA, controls, and instrumentation signals
• Alarm, access control, and general low-voltage communications in petroleum facilities

Available options at a glance

• AWGs: 18, 22, 24
• Shielding: Overall shielded and EPS (each-pair shielded)
• Lengths: 1000, 2500, and 5000 ft
• Standard jacket/color details: Red outer jacket on select items; black/red pair color code on applicable pair constructions

Available constructions

1. 18 AWG 3 Conductor Stranded Copper FEP Insulation Low-Voltage (Class 2/power-limited): Overall foil shielded control cable for general petroleum environments where robust chemical and oil resistance is needed. Suitable for pump control and power-limited circuits requiring EMI/RFI reduction.
2. 22 AWG 9 Conductor Stranded Tinned Copper FEP Insulation Low-Voltage (Class 2/power-limited): Each pair is twisted and individually shielded (EPS) with 100% coverage and a 24 AWG tinned copper drain; FEP jacket supports plenum use and petroleum exposure. Ideal for multi-signal instrumentation where crosstalk control and noise immunity are critical.
3. 24 AWG 1 Pair Stranded Tinned Copper FEP Insulation Low-Voltage (Class 2/power-limited): O/A foil shielded, compact plenum-rated pair with black/red color code and nominal OD of 0.106". Well-suited for sensors, serial communications, and point-to-point signal runs in oil and gas facilities.

Trust SmartWire on your next petroleum project

When the environment is harsh and uptime matters, SmartWire petroleum resistant shielded cable delivers stability, clean signals, and installation efficiency. From single-pair sensor lines to multi-conductor EPS constructions, Windy City Wire offers products and solutions that align with petroleum facility requirements and help your crew finish on time. Ask our team about customizing jacket and stripe colors to standardize identification across sites and make future service faster.

Solutions: Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables

Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables for Low-Voltage Petroleum Applications

Windy City Wire petroleum resistant shielded cables are engineered for low-voltage control, monitoring, and communication circuits installed in environments where fuels, oils, and harsh solvents are present. These constructions pair petroleum-resistant materials with electrical noise mitigation to help protect critical signals in busy fueling sites and industrial facilities. Stranded tinned copper conductors, robust FEP insulation and jacket options, twisted pairs, and foil shielding work together to deliver long-term reliability in conduits, sumps, and equipment enclosures common to oil and gas operations.

Where these cables are used

• Retail fueling and convenience stores: Dispenser-to-controller I/O, card reader and POS communications (e.g., RS-485 style links), tank gauge probes, overfill prevention, interstitial leak detection sensors, sump and spill bucket monitoring, price sign control (low-voltage), E-Stop control loops, intercom and site security device wiring.
• Bulk plants, terminals, and tank farms: Level, temperature, and pressure transmitters, flow meter pulse circuits, valve position feedback, PLC/SCADA I/O, load rack monitoring, overfill alarm circuits, vapor recovery system controls.
• Pipelines and midstream facilities: RTU/PLC signaling, cathodic protection monitoring circuits, block valve station control wiring, leak and intrusion detection sensors.
• Refineries, process skids, and blending systems: 4–20 mA instrumentation loops, discrete I/O, device interlocks, analyzer and sensor communications in areas exposed to oils and solvents.
• Aviation and marine fueling: Dockside and ramp sensor wiring, interlocks, and monitoring runs exposed to fuels and cleaning agents.
• Backup generators and day tanks: Level sensors, leak detection, and control wiring associated with diesel storage and transfer.

Why shielded petroleum cable matters

• Signal integrity near electrical noise: Dispensers, VFDs, and motor starters generate interference. An overall foil shield with a tinned copper drain wire helps shunt noise to ground, while each-pair shielded (EPS) constructions reduce crosstalk between sensitive circuits.
• Chemical resistance and durability: FEP insulation and jacket options withstand contact with gasoline, diesel, ethanol blends, solvents, and lubricants, helping to maintain cable performance over time.
• Flexible, corrosion-resistant conductors: Stranded, tinned copper improves flexibility for pulls through conduit and offers better corrosion resistance than bare copper in damp or oily environments.
• Clear identification and faster terminations: Common constructions include a red outer jacket for easy circuit identification and black/red color-coded pairs that simplify sensor hookups.

Constructions available in this category

• Multiple gauges to match the application: 18 AWG for power-limited control or longer runs, 22 AWG for general control and sensor circuits, and 24 AWG 1-pair options for low-current, point-to-point signals.
• Conductor counts to reduce home runs: 1-pair for single devices, 3-conductor for simple control loops, and 9-conductor options for multi-signal pulls between dispensers, probes, and controllers.
• Shielding configurations: Overall aluminum/Mylar foil shield with drain for broad noise protection, and EPS designs (individually shielded pairs) for high-accuracy sensors and data circuits.
• Plenum-rated options: For runs that transition through environmental air spaces in retail or office areas connected to fueling facilities.

Common systems and device integrations

• Tank gauging and environmental monitoring: Probe and float wiring, temperature inputs, interstitial and sump leak sensors, overfill alarms, and inventory management connections.
• Forecourt control and POS links: Dispenser communications, payment device harnesses, price sign low-voltage control, and forecourt controller I/O.
• Instrumentation and PLC I/O: 4–20 mA loops, discrete alarms, redundant sensor pairs, and serial communications within process areas.
• Security and site systems: Access control points, gate operators, intercom stations, cameras, and ancillary low-voltage circuits that must resist fuel and solvent exposure.

How THHN, TFN, and TFFN fit alongside shielded petroleum cable

• THHN/TFN/TFFN petroleum-resistant wires: Often selected for branch circuits, feeders, and control panel wiring in conduit when you need petroleum-resistant insulation but not shielding. These are typically used to power pumps, lighting contactors, or equipment where noise immunity is not a concern.
• Petroleum resistant shielded cables: Best for low-voltage control, sensor, and data lines that benefit from twisted pairs and foil shields to protect against EMI/RFI and crosstalk—ideal near drives, motors, and switching equipment.
• Typical pairing in the field: Use THHN/TFN/TFFN for power and high-current control; use shielded petroleum cable for instrumentation, communication, and sensitive control signals running in the same or adjacent pathways.

Selecting the right cable

• Match gauge to distance and load: 24 AWG for short, low-current sensor runs; 22 AWG as a general-purpose choice; 18 AWG for longer runs and higher current requirements in power-limited control circuits.
• Choose the shielding level: Overall shield for general noise protection; each-pair shielded for precise sensors, serial communications, or when multiple signal types share a single cable.
• Plan conductor count: Multi-conductor cables (e.g., 9-conductor) can reduce conduit fill and installation time by combining several circuits into one pull.
• Consider route requirements: Use plenum-rated constructions when cable pathways enter environmental air spaces; otherwise, choose standard petroleum-resistant constructions for conduits, sumps, and equipment enclosures.

Installation and service advantages

• Fewer callbacks: Shielding and twisted pairs help maintain clean signals, reducing intermittent faults caused by electrical noise.
• Faster terminations: Black/red pair color coding and stranded conductors simplify device hookups and enclosure work.
• Reliable performance in harsh areas: FEP materials and tinned copper construction help cables stand up to fuel splash, vapors, and cleaning solvents.

Lengths

Standard 1000 FT lengths support continuous runs and multiple device drops on a single reel, helping streamline planning and installation.

Get application support

Not sure which shield configuration, gauge, or conductor count best fits your petroleum project? Contact Windy City Wire for help mapping cable selections to tank gauging, dispenser control, POS communications, and environmental monitoring requirements. Our team can help you balance signal performance, conduit fill, and installation efficiency for retail fueling, terminals, pipelines, and process facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables cable?

  SmartWire® Petroleum Resistant Shielded Cables are available in 18 AWG, 22 AWG, and 24 AWG options.

• What other colors are these SmartWire Petroleum Resistant Shielded cables available in?

  In addition to a red jacket offering, this category includes a Black/Red option for easy identification.

• Are these SmartWire Petroleum Resistant Shielded cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  These cables use stranded, tinned copper conductors for flexibility and durability (e.g., 22 AWG 7x30 and 24 AWG 7x32 constructions).

• What length are these SmartWire Petroleum Resistant Shielded cables sold in?

  At Windy City Wire, we manufacture and stock SmartWire® Petroleum cable in 1,000 ft as our standard length. Additional lengths of 2,500 ft and 5,000 ft are also available.

• How is your SmartWire low-voltage Petroleum cables sold on spools or in boxes?

  Our SmartWire® Petroleum wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton as part of our complete field systems solution that helps improve safety, boost efficiency, and reduce labor on every project. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

• What is the main difference between THHN, TFFN, and TFN Petroleum wires?

  THHN: A 600 V building wire with PVC insulation and a nylon jacket, typically rated 90°C dry (often dual-rated THWN-2 for 90°C wet). Common in raceways, control wiring, and industrial environments—frequently chosen where abrasion and chemical resistance are needed.
  TFFN: A 300 V flexible fixture wire (stranded) with thin-wall PVC insulation and a nylon jacket for abrasion and petroleum resistance. Designed for internal wiring of fixtures, control cabinets, and appliances in dry locations—great where flexibility is needed.
  TFN: Similar to TFFN but typically with a solid conductor (less flexible), 300 V, 90°C dry. Used inside fixtures, panels, and equipment in dry locations where a solid conductor is acceptable.
  Note: Petroleum (oil/gasoline) resistance depends on the specific listing and nylon-jacket construction—always verify the cable’s published ratings for your application and environment.

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