1 Technical Specifications
| General Information | |
| Product Type | SOOW — Service Cord, Oil-Resistant Insulation & Jacket, Weather-Resistant |
| Standard | UL 62, CSA C22.2 No. 49 |
| Cable Size | 12 AWG × 3 Conductors (12/3) |
| Rated Voltage | 600V AC |
| Ampacity | 25 Amps |
| Flame Test | Passes MSHA Flame Test (P-136-29) |
| Conductor | |
| Conductor Material | Bare Copper, fully annealed per ASTM B-174 |
| Conductor Type | Class K — flexible rope-stranded |
| Conductor Stranding (12 AWG) | 65 strands × 30 AWG |
| Insulation | |
| Insulation Material | EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) Rubber |
| Insulation Thickness | 0.045 in (1.14 mm) |
| Color Code | Black, White, Green (ground) |
| Jacket | |
| Jacket Material | CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene) — oil, solvent, ozone, UV & weather-resistant |
| Jacket Color | Black (standard) |
| Jacket Thickness | 0.095 in (2.41 mm) |
| Nominal Outer Diameter | 0.595 in (15.1 mm) |
| Approx. Weight | 0.223 lbs/ft (332 kg/km) |
| Electrical & Environmental | |
| Test Voltage | 2500V (conductor-to-conductor, 60 Hz, 1 min) |
| Min. Bend Radius (flexible) | 10 × OD |
| Min. Bend Radius (fixed) | 6 × OD |
| Temperature Range (installation/flexing) | -20°C to +90°C |
| Temperature Range (storage/stationary) | -40°C to +90°C |
| Oil Resistance | Yes — per UL 62 / CSA C22.2 |
| Water / Moisture Resistance | Yes — weather-resistant jacket |
| Ozone / UV Resistance | Yes — CPE jacket formulation |
| Abrasion / Tear Resistance | Excellent — heavy-duty rubber jacket |
| Packaging & Logistics | |
| Packaging | Wooden drum / coil / cut-length spool |
| Standard Length | 250 ft / 500 ft / 1000 ft per reel (customizable) |
| MOQ | 1,000 ft (sample cut length negotiable) |
| Lead Time | 5-15 working days (stock: 3-5 days) |
2 Product Overview
The SOOW 12/3 portable cord is a UL62-listed, heavy-duty rubber portable cable designed for power supply to portable tools, industrial equipment, and temporary power distribution in demanding environments. The SOOW designation stands for Service cord, Oil-resistant insulation, Oil-resistant jacket, and Weather-resistant — a specification that has been the North American standard for flexible portable power since its introduction.
This 12 AWG 3-conductor cable uses fully annealed bare copper strands (65 × 30 AWG, Class K stranding per ASTM B-174), delivering the flexibility needed for repeated coiling and tight routing while maintaining full conductive capacity at 25 Amps rated ampacity.
The EPDM rubber insulation provides excellent dielectric strength at 600V, while the thick CPE (Chlorinated Polyethylene) jacket resists oil, solvents, ozone, UV radiation, moisture, and physical abrasion — all critical for construction sites, industrial plants, mining operations, and marine environments where continuous flexing and harsh conditions are the norm.
Every production batch is tested at 2500V conductor-to-conductor for dielectric integrity. Each reel is UL-listed and third-party factory-inspected to meet UL 62 and CSA C22.2 No. 49 standards. Manufactured under the quality management system of SORIVO. For detailed company information, please visit sorivocable.com/about-us/.
3 Key Features
UL 62 & CSA Certified
Listed to UL 62 and CSA C22.2 No. 49 — accepted by electrical inspectors, specifiers, and MRO buyers across North America.
Flexible Rope-Stranded Conductor
Class K stranding (65 × 30 AWG) delivers exceptional flexibility for frequent coiling, bending, and routing in tight spaces.
EPDM Rubber Insulation
Heat, moisture, and oil-resistant EPDM provides reliable dielectric performance at 600V over the full -40°C to +90°C range.
CPE Jacket — Extreme Durability
Chlorinated Polyethylene jacket resists oil, solvents, ozone, UV, moisture, and mechanical abrasion — built for the harshest job sites.
Full 600V Rating
Rated for 600V AC service, suitable for portable equipment, temporary power, welding leads, motor leads, and industrial machinery.
MSHA Flame Test Approved
Passes MSHA flame test (P-136-29) — approved for use in underground mining and other safety-critical environments.
Weather & UV Resistant
Jacket formulation resists sunlight degradation, ozone cracking, and extreme weather — suitable for continuous outdoor service.
Wide Temperature Range
Operates from -40°C to +90°C (stationary) and -20°C to +90°C (flexing), covering arctic winters to desert summer conditions.
4 Applications
SOOW portable cords are used wherever flexible, oil-resistant, weather-proof power supply is needed:
5 FAQ
Q: What does SOOW stand for?
A: SOOW stands for Service cord, Oil-resistant insulation, Oil-resistant jacket, and Weather-resistant. It is the standard portable cord specification under UL 62 for heavy-duty flexible power applications in North America.
Q: What is the difference between SOOW and SJOOW?
A: SOOW is rated 600V with thicker insulation and jacket, designed for heavy-duty industrial use. SJOOW is rated 300V (Junior service) with a thinner construction, suitable for lighter-duty applications. SOOW is the preferred choice when 600V rating or maximum durability is required.
Q: What is the ampacity of 12/3 SOOW cable?
A: 12 AWG SOOW cable has a rated ampacity of 25 Amps. For derating in high-temperature environments or multiple conductor bundling, refer to NEC Table 400.5(A) for portable cables.
Q: Can SOOW cable be used outdoors or underground?
A: Yes. The CPE jacket is UV, ozone, and weather-resistant, making SOOW suitable for continuous outdoor use. It is also moisture-resistant but is not rated for direct burial. For underground applications, use type W or direct-burial rated cables.
Q: Is SOOW cable oil and chemical resistant?
A: Yes. The EPDM insulation and CPE jacket are formulated for oil resistance per UL 62. The jacket also resists solvents, acids, alkalis, and greases commonly found in industrial environments. Always verify chemical compatibility with specific exposure conditions.