When working on electrical and industrial installations in Canada, two popular armored cables often come up: TECK90 and ACWU90. While both cables are CSA-certified and designed for tough environments, there are key differences in construction, application, and international compatibility-especially for projects involving UL compliance or exports to the U.S.
We will explore the technical differences between TECK90 and ACWU90 cables, including CSA and UL standards, cable structure, typical uses, and how to choose the right one for your project.
🔍 Overview Table: TECK90 vs ACWU90
| Feature | TECK90 Cable | ACWU90 Cable |
|---|---|---|
| CSA Standard | CSA C22.2 No. 131 / 174 / 38 / 2556 | CSA C22.2 No. 51 / 174 / 38 / 2556 |
| UL Equivalent Standard | UL 1569 (Metal-Clad Cable, MC) | UL 44 (Thermoset Insulated Cable), UL 1569 (optional) |
| Voltage Rating | 600V / 1000V | 600V |
| Environment | Dry, wet, direct burial, outdoors, industrial | Dry, damp, wet locations, residential/commercial |
| Hazardous Locations | HL-rated for Class I, II, III (explosive areas) | HL-rated only for multi-conductor cables |
| Armour Type | Galvanized Steel Interlocked Armour (GSIA) | Aluminum Interlocked Armour |
| Outer Jacket | Thick PVC, UV & oil resistant | Thin PVC, UV & moisture resistant |
| Typical Use | Mines, factories, oil & gas, underground utilities | Commercial buildings, wet basements, residential wiring |
| Installation Temp | -40°C | -40°C |
| Operating Temp | 90°C (wet/dry) | 90°C (wet/dry) |
| UL File Numbers (example) | E123659 / E128295 (varies by manufacturer) | E137604 / E137698 (varies by manufacturer) |
🔧 Construction Comparison：teck90 & acwu90
Let's take an example of a 3-conductor, 10 AWG copper cable to compare the physical differences:
| Parameter | TECK90 | ACWU90 |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Stranded Copper | Stranded Copper |
| Insulation | XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) | XLPE (Cross-linked Polyethylene) |
| Inner Jacket | PVC | PVC |
| Armour | Galvanized Steel | Aluminum |
| Outer Jacket | Heavy-duty PVC, oil and UV resistant | Standard PVC, moisture and UV resistant |
| Approx. Diameter | ~22.8 mm | ~20 mm |
| Approx. Weight | ~446 kg/km | ~300 kg/km |
| Flame Rating | CSA FT4 | CSA FT4 |
Note: Steel armour in TECK90 offers better mechanical protection, while aluminum in ACWU90 is lighter and easier to handle.
🌎 CSA & UL Certifications
✅ TECK90 Cable:
CSA: Complies with Canadian standards C22.2 No. 131 and No. 174.
UL: Often certified under UL 1569 as a Metal-Clad (MC) Cable.
North American Equivalence: Considered a Canadian equivalent to U.S. Type MC Cable.
Hazardous Locations: Suitable for Class I, II, and III Division 1/2 when HL rated.
✅ ACWU90 Cable:
CSA: Complies with C22.2 No. 51 and No. 174.
UL: May comply with UL 44 and partially with UL 1569.
North American Equivalence: Comparable to Type AC or wet-rated MC Cable.
Hazardous Locations: HL rated only for multi-conductor variants, not single-conductor.
📎 UL File Numbers vary by manufacturer. You can check the specific UL listing using UL's online certification database or request certificates from cable manufacturers like Northern Cables, Nexans, Southwire Canada, or Prysmian.
🛠 Application Scenarios
| Use Case | TECK90 Cable ✔️ | ACWU90 Cable ✔️ |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Earth Burial | ✅ Recommended | ✅ Acceptable (with care) |
| Outdoor Exposure (UV, oil) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Good |
| Industrial Heavy-Duty Use | ✅ Strongly Recommended | ⛔ Not Ideal |
| Commercial or Residential Wiring | ✅ Acceptable | ✅ Recommended |
| Damp or Wet Environments | ✅ Fully Resistant | ✅ Fully Resistant |
| Explosive / Hazardous Areas | ✅ HL, Class I/II/III Ready | ⛔ Only for multi-conductor |
✅ Final Recommendation: Which One Should You Choose?
| Scenario | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Underground industrial wiring | TECK90 |
| Hazardous area (oil & gas, mines) | TECK90 |
| Residential or commercial building wiring | ACWU90 |
| Wet basements or above ceilings | ACWU90 |
| High mechanical strength required | TECK90 |
| Lightweight and cost-effective installation |
ACWU90 |
If you're sourcing armored cable for industrial, residential, or hazardous locations in Canada or the U.S., understanding the difference between TECK90 and ACWU90 can help ensure compliance, safety, and cost-efficiency.
Need help selecting a cable? Contact us for advice and technical documentation.
✅ UL & cUL Certified Wire & Cable Manufacturer
Your Trusted Partner for North American Markets
Welcome to Dongguan Greater Wire & Cable Co., Ltd., a professional manufacturer of UL and cUL listed wires and cables, proudly serving global clients with top-quality electrical products that meet USA and Canada compliance standards.
🔹 Why Choose Us?
✅ UL & cUL Certified
All our cables comply with UL 83, UL 758, UL 62, UL 1015, and other major standards, ensuring guaranteed safety and market access to North America.
✅ Direct Factory Supply
We are not a trading company. You are dealing directly with the manufacturer, saving time and cost.
✅ OEM / ODM Available
Custom insulation, jacket colors, striping, and packaging services are available.
✅ Fast Production & Delivery
Standard stock ships in 3–5 days. Urgent orders supported!
✅ Industry Applications
THHN, MTW, AWM, TEW, SIS, ACWU90, TECK90, and more – used in construction, appliances, EV chargers, industrial automation, and HVAC.
🔧 Common Products We Manufacture:
THHN / THWN / THWN-2 Copper Wire
NMD90/NM-B Copper Wire
XHHW/ RHH / RW90 Wire
MTW / AWM / UL1015 Hook-up Wires
TECK90 / ACWU90 Armored Cables
Flexible Silicone Cables / XLPE Insulated Wires
EV Charger Wires / Solar PV Wires
MV-105 / MV-90
📦 Export-Ready for USA & Canada
Whether you are an importer, contractor, or OEM, our products are pre-tested and certified to meet North American standards. We offer export packaging, UL labels, and full technical support.
📞 Contact Us Now!
Dongguan Greater Wire & Cable Co., Ltd.
📱 WhatsApp / Tel:
+86 135 1078 4550
+86 136 6257 9592
📧 Email: manager01@greaterwire.com
🌐 Website: www.greaterwire.com