We buy THHN, THWN and XHHW wire

THHN, THWN, THWN-2 and XHHW-2 are all 600-volt building wire, but the letters describe different insulation and jacket ratings, and that affects where the cable is permitted. THHN is a thermoplastic insulation with a nylon jacket, rated for dry locations at 90°C. THWN adds a wet-location rating at 75°C. THWN-2 carries the dual rating at 90°C in wet or dry locations.

XHHW uses a thermoset, cross-linked polyethylene insulation, and XHHW-2 adds the 90°C wet rating. It is common in industrial work, in feeders and where a tougher insulation is preferred. XHHW is also frequently specified in aluminum.

For buying purposes, all four are in scope. The distinction matters because a reel printed THHN only is not a substitute for THWN-2 in a wet location, so the print on the jacket should be photographed rather than assumed.

The printed legend on THHN repeats the type, size, voltage rating, temperature rating and listing marks. A single sharp photo along the cable answers most of the questions a buyer would otherwise ask.

On a box, photograph the end label and the printed flap. On a reel, photograph the flange tag and the loose end where the conductor is visible. If the reel has been re-wrapped with black stretch film, peel back a corner rather than unwinding it.

For partial reels, the remaining footage is the number that changes the quote most. If it is not marked, give us the flange diameter and the number of wraps and we will estimate together.