A portable power lead is pulled, coiled and handled in ways that fixed building wire is not. SOOW is an extra-hard-usage flexible cord family for demanding portable equipment. When sourcing it from Vietnam, the buyer should define the complete cord duty and finished assembly, not just the AWG size.
Inside the cable
SOOW uses flexible stranded conductors, individual insulation and a tough overall thermoset cord jacket. The selected black-jacket reference uses bare copper conductors with EPDM insulation and CPE outer jacket. The OO designation concerns oil resistance of both insulation and jacket; W concerns outdoor/water-resistant performance within the applicable rating. Material formulations, core colours and permissible temperatures must still be checked for the particular product.
Where it is used
Typical enquiries include portable tools, industrial equipment, power extensions and temporary equipment supplies. The cable may be supplied in bulk reels or prepared for a defined cord assembly. A three-conductor power cord and a four-conductor arrangement serve different equipment configurations; neither the outer diameter nor the black jacket identifies the required electrical system.
Ratings and selection points
SOOW is the 600 V extra-hard-usage family; SJOOW is the 300 V junior family. This difference does not make either cable a general substitute for fixed building wiring. Resistance to oil or weather also does not establish permanent immersion, continuous cable-chain duty or compatibility with every chemical. Check flexing conditions, strain relief, connector voltage/current rating and the permitted cable diameter at the connector.
A clearer factory RFQ
A portable-equipment RFQ should list AWG, conductor count, voltage, length and expected handling conditions. If plugs or moulded ends are required, attach their drawings and pin assignment, and state strain-relief and finished-cord tests. For bulk reels, identify cut-length needs and packaging suitable for subsequent assembly.
Compare the TGS SOOW configurations for the available reference size tables. State the required conductor resistance, nominal dimensions, test documents and marking for the exact order. Reference tables and illustrations guide the enquiry; the agreed drawing and approved specification define production.
Manufacturing in Vietnam with TGS
TGS Cable Industrial is a large manufacturing group producing wire and cable in Vietnam. The group has served Costco, Walmart, Target and many other customers for more than five years. That company-wide experience informs our work with importers, distributors and retail supply programmes. For your SOOW enquiry, our factory team reviews the construction, destination requirements, quantities and packing before confirming the order.
Explore our Vietnam factory production capability, or send your cable specification to discuss a factory quotation. Product approvals and customer-specific requirements are reviewed for the selected construction and programme.
Frequently asked questions
What does the difference between SOOW and SJOOW mean?
SOOW is the 600 V extra-hard-usage cord family; SJOOW is the 300 V junior family. Select by the equipment and duty requirements rather than jacket appearance.
Does flexible mean suitable for a cable chain?
No. Ordinary flexibility does not establish repeated-motion life. Continuous-flex service needs a cable specifically evaluated for that movement and installation.
Technical references
Manufacturer references explain the representative cable family and construction. They do not certify a TGS product. The agreed order drawing, product marking and applicable approval documents define the supplied cable.