Comparing cable types
TC vs PLTC: tray cable voltage classes
Both are tray cable: multi-conductor cable designed to be supported in cable trays without conduit. The difference is what they are allowed to carry.
TC is 600-volt tray cable used for power and control circuits. PLTC is 300-volt power-limited tray cable, used for Class 2 and Class 3 circuits such as instrumentation, signaling and low-power control. They are not interchangeable, and the print on the jacket says which is which.
Why the distinction matters
A 600-volt TC cable can be used in applications where PLTC is specified, but not the reverse. Installing PLTC on a 480-volt circuit is a code violation, which is exactly why a buyer checks the marking before making an offer.
For surplus sellers, this is the difference between a reel that moves quickly and one that sits: PLTC has a narrower market because its use is limited to power-limited circuits.
Related tray-rated constructions
ITC is instrumentation tray cable, used for industrial instrumentation and control. VFD cable is a shielded tray-rated cable designed for variable frequency drive output, usually 1 kV. Both appear in plant surplus and both are identified by the jacket print rather than the reel color.
| TC | PLTC | |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 600 V | 300 V |
| Circuits | Power and control | Class 2 and 3 power-limited |
| Typical use | Plant power, motor control, tray runs | Instrumentation, signaling, low-power control |
| Identification | Print reads TC or TC-ER | Print reads PLTC |
Questions about this
What does the -ER suffix mean?
Exposed run: the cable is rated for a length of exposed run outside a tray or raceway, subject to the listing conditions on the print.
Is VFD cable a type of tray cable?
It is often tray-rated, but it is a distinct construction with shielding for drive output. Quote it as VFD cable, not generic TC.
Can PLTC be used for power?
No. It is limited to power-limited circuits at 300 volts; using it on power circuits is a code violation.