What Is UL1672 Wire? Uses, Limits & OEM Guide

Abstract: UL1672 is a single-conductor XLPE-insulated AWM wire rated 125°C and 600V. It is common in power supplies, control boards, and transformers. But it is not suitable for drag chains, continuous flexing, oil immersion, or outdoor use. This guide explains UL1672 certification scope, applications, limitations, and how it compares with UL1007 and UL1569.

UL1672 is one of the most widely used internal wiring materials in electronic equipment. Many engineers confuse it with UL1007, UL1569, or other AWM wires. Choosing the wrong wire can lead to insulation cracking, short circuits, or even safety failures. This guide explains what UL1672 is, where it can be used, where it must not be used, and how to select it correctly for OEM projects.

1. What Is UL1672 Wire? Definition and Certification Scope

UL1672 belongs to the UL AWM (Appliance Wiring Material) series. It is a single-conductor, solid or stranded, XLPE-insulated electronic wire. The standard category is AWM internal appliance wiring. It is not an external power cable, and it is not a building wire.

Key specifications:

• Insulation material: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE)

• Rated temperature: 125°C

• Rated voltage: 600V

• Conductor: Solid or stranded copper, bare or tinned

• Flame rating: UL AWM basic flame retardant; VW-1 optional

• Certification scope: Internal fixed wiring only

The UL1672 certification covers the wire’s insulation, electrical performance, temperature resistance, and compression resistance. However, AWM certification does not mean the wire can be used outdoors, in drag chains, or in moving applications. It is a common misunderstanding that a UL mark automatically qualifies a wire for all conditions. In reality, UL1672 is tested for static internal wiring, not for dynamic flexing or harsh environmental exposure.

2. Where UL1672 Wire Can Be Used

UL1672 is recommended for the following environments:

• Internal fixed wiring in electrical equipment, industrial control boards, power adapters, switching power supplies, and transformers.

• Static wiring inside enclosures and cabinets, with almost no reciprocating bending or continuous movement.

• Local high-temperature areas inside equipment, with a maximum continuous ambient temperature of 125°C.

• Areas subject to compression or deformation, where the wire may be squeezed by housings or brackets during assembly.

• Dry indoor environments with normal air. Short-term exposure to light oil mist may be acceptable.

In these applications, UL1672 performs well because its XLPE insulation is hard, tough, and resistant to compression. It maintains stable insulation resistance at high temperatures. It is also low smoke zero halogen (LSZH), meaning it does not contain halogens and produces less smoke and corrosive gas when burned. This makes it suitable for equipment where fire safety and clean combustion are important.

3. Where UL1672 Wire Should Not Be Used

UL1672 has clear limitations. It must not be used in the following conditions:

• Drag chains, robotic arms, AGVs, and other continuous reciprocating bending applications. XLPE insulation is relatively stiff. Repeated bending can cause cracking. UL1672 is not a high-flex drag chain cable.

• Long-term oil or chemical immersion. XLPE has only limited resistance to mineral oil. Long-term contact with hydraulic oil or synthetic oil can cause aging and cracking.

• Outdoor, rainy, humid, or condensation-prone environments. UL1672 is not a waterproof construction. It is not suitable for underwater use.

• Moving harnesses with large torsion or frequent bending. After repeated bending, the insulation can crack, creating a short circuit risk.

• Building walls, cable trays, or permanent power wiring. AWM wire does not meet building cable codes.

These limitations are critical. Many field failures occur because engineers assume that a high-temperature rating means the wire can handle any condition. In reality, high temperature and repeated bending together are especially dangerous for XLPE. The insulation may crack even if the temperature is within the rating. Similarly, a wire that passes a static insulation test may fail quickly in a dynamic drag chain.

4. Key Performance Features of UL1672

UL1672 offers several important performance advantages:

• 125°C high-temperature rating: Better than ordinary PVC-insulated UL1007, which is rated at 80°C. This makes UL1672 suitable for power supplies, transformers, and other heat-generating areas.

• XLPE cross-linked polyethylene insulation: High hardness, compression resistance, and deformation resistance. During assembly, the insulation does not easily become thin, and insulation stability is good.

• Low smoke zero halogen: XLPE contains no halogens. When burned, it produces less smoke and no large amount of corrosive halide gas.

• Excellent electrical performance: High insulation resistance, stable withstand voltage, and 600V rated voltage. It meets the internal high and low voltage wiring needs of most equipment.

However, UL1672 also has weaknesses. The insulation is stiff, so flexibility is poor. Bending fatigue resistance is weak. Abrasion resistance is only moderate, and friction can easily produce cracks. Therefore, UL1672 should be used only in static, fixed wiring applications where movement is minimal.

5. UL1672 vs. UL1007 vs. UL1569

Model	Insulation Material	Rated Temperature / Voltage	Flexibility	Typical Applications
UL1672	XLPE	125°C / 600V	Relatively stiff	Internal high-temperature static wiring, compression resistant
UL1007	PVC	80°C / 300V	Medium	Ordinary internal room-temperature wiring
UL1569	XLPE	105°C / 600V	Relatively stiff	Motor and transformer lead wires, slightly better solvent resistance than UL1672

 

UL1007 is the most common general-purpose internal wire. It is flexible and low cost, but it cannot handle high temperatures. UL1569 is similar to UL1672 but with a lower temperature rating and slightly different chemical resistance. UL1672 is the best choice among the three for high-temperature, compression-resistant static wiring. None of them are suitable for drag chains or continuous flexing.

6. Common Selection Mistakes

❌ Mistake: UL certification means it is suitable for all conditions. UL1672 is an AWM internal wiring certification. It is tested under static conditions and does not undergo million-cycle bending fatigue testing. It cannot be directly used in drag chains.

❌ Mistake: 125°C means it can handle long-term 125°C plus repeated bending. High temperature combined with bending makes XLPE insulation extremely prone to cracking and failure.

❌ Mistake: XLPE is an oil-resistant material. UL1672’s XLPE has only limited oil resistance. It is not suitable for long-term oil immersion.

❌ Mistake: AWM cable can be used for building wiring. AWM certification applies to internal appliance wiring only. It cannot replace building cable.

These mistakes are common because engineers often focus on one or two parameters, such as temperature or voltage, and ignore the mechanical and environmental requirements. A wire that works perfectly in a static control cabinet may fail quickly in a moving robot joint. Always match the wire to the actual application.

7. Aichie Tech Wires UL1672 Supply

Guangdong Aichie Tech Wires Co., Ltd. supplies a full range of UL1672 AWM electronic wires.

• Conductor options: bare copper or tinned copper, solid or stranded, full AWG range.

• XLPE insulation meeting UL1672 standard. UL certificate available. VW-1 flame rating optional.

• Suitable for internal static wiring in power supplies, industrial control, transformers, and home appliances.

• IATF16949, UL, and CE certified. Samples available for reliability validation.

• Samples delivered in 7–10 days, with one-item-one-code full-process traceability.

Aichie Tech Wires helps OEMs confirm whether UL1672 is the right choice for their specific application. If the application involves dynamic bending, oil exposure, or outdoor use, the engineering team can recommend alternative high-flex or oil-resistant cables, such as TPU or TPE drag chain cables. This prevents field failures caused by using the wrong wire type.

8. Summary

UL1672 is a 600V, 125°C, XLPE-insulated AWM internal electronic wire. It is suitable for dry, static, high-temperature internal wiring where compression resistance is needed. Its advantages are high temperature resistance, low smoke zero halogen, and compression resistance. Its limitations are stiff insulation, poor bending fatigue, and limited oil resistance. It must not be used directly in drag chains, continuous reciprocating moving harnesses, long-term oil immersion, or outdoor rain conditions.

When selecting wire, pay attention to the boundaries of UL AWM certification. For dynamic bending applications, choose TPU or TPE insulated high-flex drag chain cables instead of UL1672. For static internal high-temperature wiring, UL1672 is a reliable and cost-effective choice.