Quality Characteristics of Kalas Flexible Cord

Flexible Cord – also known as Flexible Cable, high-flex or continuous flex cable, or Flex Cord is one of the less understood cables in our product catalog and can require a lot of technical knowledge to know which kind and what options to select. That could be because the use for Flex Cords is vast and the need for selecting the right type is high lest you run a safety hazard. That’s why we wanted to offer this article to provide some education about our Flexible Cord products and how Kalas is a superior choice to supply your flexible cord needs.  

What is Flexible Cord? 

To put it simply, flexible cords are often the cable used to take power from a source directly to its end-use application. Examples of that could be for use in lighting fixtures, small and large appliances, vacuum cleaners, and more. At Kalas, we manufacture three cables in our Flex Cord category – they are our Extra Hard Service Cord, which we understand is a deceiving title since “Extra-Hard” and “Flexible Cord” seem to be contradictions which we will explain, Hard Service Cord, and our SVT/SVTO cords. The reason the first two products listed have the word “Hard” in their title while technically being Flexible Cords, is that term signifies their jacketing is up to withstanding “hard” use. These two cords, our 600V Extra Hard Service Flexible Cord and our 300V Hard Service Cord, are supremely jacketed to safely distribute power and withstand the often-significant bend radius required when using or installing Flexible Cords. 

For example, think through a common service cord like one that plugs in a small appliance in your home – that cord may be used over and over, and you may bend it into a tight space to fit into your outlet. Therefore, it would be important that your cord is constructed safely enough that the copper stranding and insulation within it is built properly so it will not fray and will be able to stay as good–as–new over the life of the appliance. That’s what our “hard” flexible Cords provide.  Below we will describe the unique qualities and variety of Flexible Cords we offer so you can better determine which would suit your application the best. 

Extra Hard Service 600 Volt PVC & TPE Flexible Cord 

First, we will talk through our Extra Hard Service 600 Volt PVC & TPE Flexible Cord. This cord is one of the products with the most selection when it comes to choosing your gauge and various options. That means with Kalas you can create the exact small or large enough cord to power and withstand the use your application reqiures.

We offer 18/2, 18/3 18/4, 18/5, 16/2, 16/3, 16/4, 14/2, 14/3, 14/4, 12/2, 12/3, 12/4, 10/2, 10/3, 10/4, 8/3, 8/4, 6/3, 6/4 , 6/3, 8/1, 4/3, 4/4 gauges and special stranding upon request. You can also select bare or tinned copper as your conductor which can give you an option that is able to withstand corrosion or soldering to a higher degree. Lastly, we also offer our customers the option of jacketing with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) material which can give you a little more assurance of resistance to abrasion as well as chemicals. 

So depending on your use, you can create the exact 600 Volt Flexible Cord you’ll need. Each cord is insulated with PVC, meets the UL and CSA requirements for your selected construction so you can be confident in the quality, safety, and reliability of the cord you receive. We can manufacture each cord to your liking to be ST, STO, STOO, STW, STOW, STOOW, SE, SEO, SEOO, SEW, SEOW, or SEOOW. We realize that’s a lot of information and can be confusing – all that to say, we are here for you, knowledgeable, and able to create the exact 600 Volt Flexible Service Cord you need. 

300 Volt Hard Service Cord 

Second, we would like to highlight our 300 Volt Hard Service Cord which is also available with your choice of a bare or tinned copper conductor and with PVC or TPE jacketing, insulated with PVC and constructed to meet UL & CSA requirements. This product we can manufacture for you in gauge 10-18 with 2, 3, or 4 conductors. The reason you would select this cord over our 600 Volt really depends on your job. We highly recommend viewing and understanding the NEC (National Electric Code) which goes into detail as to what cord you need, but typically our 300 Volt Flexible Service Cord is placed in small appliances like space heaters, electric fans, and similar small electric devices. The benefit of ordering flexible cord from Kalas, is that you get expertise and options. We can manufacture your cord to be SJT, SJTO, SJTOO, SJTW, SJTOW, SJTOOW, SJE, SJEO, SJEOO, SJEW, SJEOW, SJEOOW, SJT-R, SJTO-R, SJTOO-R, SJTW-R, SJTOW-R or SJTOOW-R or 18/3, 16/3 and 14/3 fillerless cord – all of which will be manufactured with the same excellence that comes from our 60-year history in manufacturing copper wire & cable and our vast team of highly specialized engineers. Quality you receive when you buy from Kalas which other companies may not be able to.  

Both of our 600 V and 300 V Flexible Cords can be customized to have special stranding, non-wicking polypropylene, reinforced paper, or jute fillers and customizable inkjet print legend or PermaPrint™ indent print that will last the lifetime of the cable. Simply reach out and let us know what you need and we can make your cord a reality. 

SVT & SVTO Cords 

Lastly, we want to highlight our SVT & SVTO Cords. SVT stands for Service Vacuum Thermoplastic and SVTO stands for Service Vacuum Thermoplastic with Oil Resistant Jacketing. This cord is used in Vacuum Cleaners, Food processors, or Office Equipment for the most part. It comes with a bare copper conductor insulated and jacketed with PVC with an operating temperature of -40°C to 105°C.

You can order this cord in 18/2, 18/3, 17/3, 16/2, or 16/3 gauge all of which will be manufactured to meet the UL Standard 62 for Flexible Cord and CSA requirements give you the reliability and assurance you need to assure end-users of safety. The 18/2 and 18/3 gauges can be fillerless enhanced with a micro-poly strength member for mechanical strength. 

The composition of this cable provides excellence in durability because the conductors within are twisted with or without fillers. This twisting of the strands offers a tensile strength that can withstand high usage and bending – a perfect construction for something like a vacuum cord which needs to remain safe and reliable when frequently yanked and turned every which way! We also offer this with non-wicking polypropylene, reinforced paper, or jute fillers and custom print.  

Conclusion 

We hope this article has helped to increase your understanding of our Flexible Cord selection, why we call them “Hard” Service Cords and helps anyone in the market for these types of cables to see the superior construction, customization, and support ordering from Kalas provides. We can handle any question you may have regarding our Flexible Cords and have highly attentive, informed, and educated customer service representatives that help make your experience of creating and ordering Flexible Cord from Kalas a positive experience. 

So, if you’re confused or just want to talk through options for any of these cables, reach out today. We would love to provide the answers you need or if you’re ready, we can give you quotes and lead times right away.  

Thank you for choosing to research your cable before buying. Safety is of the highest priority with these cables and we want to help everyone receive the quality they need when ordering and using Flexible Service Cords!  

Kalas Flex Cord 600V Wire and Cable

Kalas Extra Hard Service 600 Volt Flexible Cord

Bare or tinned stranded copper conductor insulated with PVC and jacketed with PVC or TPE to conform to UL and CSA. PVC available 105°C. TPE available 90°C or 105°C. ST STO STOO STW STOW STOOW / SE SEO SEOO SEW SEOW SEOOW and over 20 gauge options.

Kalas Flex Cord 300V Wire and Cable

Kalas Hard Service 300 Volt Flexible Cord

Bare or tinned stranded copper conductor insulated with PVC and jacketed with PVC or TPE to conform to UL and CSA. PVC available 60°C or 105°C. TPE available 90°C or 105°C. SJT SJTO SJTOO SJTW SJTOW SJTOOW / SJE SJEO SJEOO SJEW SJEOW SJEOOW SJT-R SJTO-R SJTOO-R SJTW-R SJTOW-R SJTOOW-R and 10-18 gauge with 2, 3 or 4 conductors.

Kalas Flex Cord 300V Wire and Cable

Kalas SVT & SVTO Cords

Bare copper conductor insulated with 105C PVC, twisted with or without fillers, and jacketed with 105C PVC to conform to UL and CSA. Rated for 300V. *18/2 and 18/3 fillerless enhanced with a micro poly strength member for mechanical strength.

Why Kalas GenFlex™ Type W is the Power Cable You Want

At Kalas, we understand that choosing a Power Cable for your heavy-duty applications is a serious decision. Whether you are powering generators for disaster relief, equipment for mining, large outdoor productions, active facilities, or other high-stakes situations that require consistent reliable power, there’s a lot on the line if your power fails. Your power cables and systems need to be able to withstand environmental factors and extreme use. Before selecting the type or brand of cable you choose to power your end-use, you need to find a cable you can trust with all you put it through.

That’s where Kalas GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable comes in. Let us explain why we believe our Type W Cable is the brand you want when making your selection for purchase.

What is Type W Power Cable?

Before we get too deep into why you would choose Kalas’ Type W Power Cable over the rest, we don’t want to assume you know the ins and outs of Type W Power Cable. Type W Power Cable is basically a heavy-duty cable. What makes it different than other Industrial Power Cables and Cords is its ability to power extreme uses. Type W Power Cable generally consists of bare copper conductor core insulated with Ethylene Propylene (EP) and jacketed with Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) which results in a cable that is flexible, durable and can maintain it’s properties in extreme temps, weather and compression. Perhaps this isn’t new information and you already are familiar with Type W Power Cable and what it’s generally used for. If that’s the case, all we need to share is why would you choose Kalas’ GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable before it’s the competition? We’re glad you asked.

Why Choose Kalas GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable?

When it comes to Kalas’ Type W Power Cable, we give you not only the basics of reliable construction but peace of mind as you can trust you’re receiving a quality that outlasts the competition.

Complete Quality Control

First, we make every one of our wires & cables from scratch in-house. That means from the very start we get to control the quality of your cable and can vouch for each inch of it. We order our own copper rod and draw it to the precise stranding your cable requires all while assuring it to be defect-free and as conductive as possible. Next we go through extensive quality testing before selecting insulation and jacketing suppliers to assure our customers will receive a product that lives up to and exceeds expectations with which it’s purchased.

Tested and Proven for Durability

Before rolling out any product, we put it through extreme testing. Our GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable has been tested and proven to meet the requirements of UL Subject 1650; CSA PPC 22.2 – 96 and the MSHA Flame Test. It’s tested and proven to be rated for use in accordance with National Electrical Code (NEC) article 400 and NFPA 70 such as used in generator leads, battery leads or motor leads, heavy-duty, or temporary power supplies and light to medium duty mining applications. When you buy Kalas’ GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable, you also buy assurance that your cable will hold up to and resist abrasion, sunlight, chemicals, oil, and water offering you superior cable life in the harshest environments. Because of the quality of our Type W cable, it’s also rated to temperatures of -40°C (-40°F) to 90°C (194°F wet or dry), so even in extreme temperatures, you’ll be able to rely on our Type W remaining consistent and flexible to move with ease without compromising conductivity.

Trusted history

At Kalas, we come backed by a 60+ year history in cable manufacturing. It’s not something we rest our laurels on either. It’s a 6+ decade history of excellence, continuous improvement, and reliable partnerships with each and every customer. When you buy Kalas, it is our commitment that you know you also buy quality and expertise. Our engineers and production associates are highly trained and backed by vetted experience which directly goes into the quality of the cable you buy. Quality and expertise matter – especially when your need to rely on power in critical situations as with Type W Power Cable.

Customization & Options 

One of the huge perks of buying from Kalas is the number of capabilities you can choose because we are a fully integrated manufacturer with facilities that can do it all. With GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable, you have the choice of ordering 4/0 – #8 gauge which comes sequentially printed with our PermaPrint™ indent print that remains visible & lasts a lifetime even with extreme use. Our GenFlex™ Type W Cable we stock 4/0, 2/0, 1/0, and #2 on 2,000’ put-ups making your order in that quantity ready to ship out the door fast while we also offer custom lengths to suit your exact needs. Simply as for made to order when you contact us. 

Conclusion 

If you’re still reading, that means you’re probably in the market for Type W Power Cable or will be someday and are taking your decision of where to purchase seriously. We fully respect and value that, believing reliable, quality power should be what everyone receives when they purchase power cable. Sadly, we know that’s not always the case. So we are here to assure you that it is possible to buy a Type W Power Cable that is reliable, durable, and a cut above the rest in purely sending power where you need it to go. If you have any questions at all about GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable please reach out so one of our kind informed customer support team members can ease your mind and help you more fully understand how our cable can support your work. If you’re ready to begin your journey of buying the highest quality cable while receiving excellent service, you can fill out our request a quote form today.  

Visit our GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable web page to read deeper into features and specifications.  

For related products and information you can visit:

We look forward to serving you and providing you a better cable for your heavy-duty power needs! Be prepared for the next storm, gig, power outrage, mining job, and more by starting your ordering or inquiry today. 

Type W Portable Power Cable

GenFlex™ Type W Cable Gauges

We manufacture 4/0 – #8 gauge so you can order the gauge that suits your need. 

Type W Power Cable with Indent Print Sequentially Marked

PermaPrint™ Indent Print

GenFlex™ Type W Power Cable comes standard with our PermaPrint™ indent print that lasts a lifetime even in extreme use. 

Kalas Type W Sample Kit Cable

Request a Sample

As we said, we realize ordering Type W Cable is a big decision. Order a sample so you can see the quality up close. Ask us today. 

Kalas Foundation Donates Hand Sanitizer

The Kalas Foundation was established in 2009 to ensure a steady stream of financial assistance remained available – in good times and bad – to support the agencies throughout the communities in which the associates of Kalas Wire & Cable lived and worked. At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to prioritize our 2020 disbursements specifically to causes & people impacted by the virus and preventing its spread.

Most recently, we have purchased 500 gallons of hand sanitizer and filled 900 bottles for their distribution. Pictured below, is our recent donation to Declaration House and Real Life Ministries, who were grateful to have the ability to safely distribute food to families in need. The Kalas Foundation is honored to be able to partner for this very worthwhile community cause.

If you should have a request for hand sanitizer for a community organization in Lancaster or Berks counties, please email KYM at kcalabretta@kalaswire.come or RACHEL at rlheisey@kalaswire.com and together, we can improve the lives we touch!

The Kalas Foundation
Kalas Foundation donates hand sanitizer
Kalas Foundation donates hand sanitizer

Kalas Receives Bronze Level Supplier Quality Excellence Process Award from CAT

Kalas is honored to receive, from our valued partner Caterpillar, the Bronze Level Supplier Quality Excellence Process (SQEP) award in 2020. Kalas provides cable products that power Caterpillar equipment around the world and across a variety of vehicle platforms.

Caterpillar’s SQEP certification recognizes their supplier’s dedication to providing superior quality and is only awarded to companies that demonstrate measurable world-class performance on an ongoing basis. Each year, suppliers are evaluated with increasingly strict criteria for distinguishing outstanding supplier quality performance, exceptional service, delivery performance and continuous improvement.

We are grateful for the opportunity to service Caterpillar as a trusted member of their strategic supply plan, and it is with pride that we accept this prestigious award and commit to upholding the standards which achieved it.

Ready to learn more or start to order your superior quality cable products?

Visit our Bulk Wire & Cable Products to learn more about each industry we serve with bulk wire & cable. Visit our Terminated Battery Cables section of our website to learn the capabilities we offer. The options are endless. We are able to create the exact cables you need with the quality that gives you peace of mind and the customer service that helps every step of the way.

Questions? Reach out through our Contact Us form. If you’d like to inquire about specific products and receive a quote, fill out our Request a Quote Form. We look forward to serving all of our customers as thoroughly as we serve CAT while consistently improving for better and better service! 

Do You Have Questions About Kalas or Our Products? We'd love to help.

Let us know what you need & how we can serve you best. We love new challenges and are able to create the wire or cable product you need. Reach out today!

Contact Kalas

Foundation Makes Masks for All Associates Possible

The Kalas Foundation is proud to share their latest initiative in response to the outbreak of Covid-19.  In an effort to ensure the safety & protect the health of our valued associates, the Foundation has partnered with the local Lancaster Unit of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) to offer free, handmade masks to all Kalas employees. The team of 20 volunteers from MDS has been producing 21,000 masks every 72 hours – and all complete while safely practicing social distancing!

The Kalas Foundation began distributing the masks Wednesday, April 15, right before the statewide announcement that face coverings would be mandatory to all Kalas facilities throughout Lancaster and Denver, PA. We are grateful for the prompt response and call to action of all the MDS volunteers: cutting fabric, sewing masks, collating orders and delivering masks to nursing homes, daycare centers, hospitals, businesses and private households.

Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network that responds to provide relief to disaster events throughout the United States and Canada. The local Lancaster Unit is based out of their Lititz, PA location, but the mask effort extends throughout the country. For more information or to lend your support, visit https://mds.mennonite.net/covid-19-volunteers-in-action/

The Kalas Foundation is grateful to lend its support to MDS and extends HEARTFELT THANKS for the good work they are doing to keep people healthy!

Kalas Foundation Supports Girl Scout Junior Troop

The Girls Scouts is a global organization started in 1912 as an “inclusive, all-female environment…(that) creates a safe space where girls can try new things, develop a range of skills, take on leadership roles, and just be themselves.” The 1.7 million girls within its membership rely heavily on the annual Cookie Program, which funds the various programs, enrichment and experiences they plan each year.

The spread of Covid-19 created unforeseen challenges to the annual cookie sale. Cocalico Area Girl Scout Junior Troop 70514 received their allotment of cookies just as local business and retailers were being closed in compliance with state laws to keep residents at home and out of public spaces. Unfortunately, this also meant the Troop was left with more than eighty cases of cookies and no immediate outlet to sell them.

The Kalas Foundation saw the opportunity to lend support to a local agency in need. On Monday, April 6, they coordinated the purchase of (38) cases of cookies to distribute to their valued associates. This created a tasty solution to the cookie problem and satisfied customers on both sides of the deal! The Kalas Foundation is grateful to lend its support to Junior Troop 70514 and appreciates the investment the Girl Scout organization worldwide makes into building strong & confident female leaders for the next generation and beyond.

For anyone interested, you can lend your support to Girls Scout Council by visiting https://www.gshpa.org/