What is the Best Insulation for Waterproof Wires in Marine Environments?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on identifying suitable insulation for 10-awg wire intended for use in marine environments, specifically focusing on waterproofing and corrosion resistance. Participants explore various insulation materials and their effectiveness in submerged applications, considering both short-term and long-term exposure to water.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the best type of insulation for 10-awg wire that can be submerged in water without corroding.
  • Another suggests PVC insulation but questions its suitability for prolonged submersion, proposing the use of medical grade silicone tubing for added protection.
  • Some participants assert that most PVC-insulated wire can withstand water for extended periods, asking for specifics about the water conditions and duration of exposure.
  • A participant mentions the need for wire that can be submerged for years but currently only requires it to last for a few hours or days in flowing freshwater.
  • There is a consideration of using silicone rubber, with one participant questioning whether it is excessive for the application due to its cost.
  • Another participant notes that wire designed for submersible pump applications may be suitable for this purpose.
  • Concerns are raised about the severity of the marine environment, suggesting that rugged coatings may be necessary to protect against physical damage from underwater elements.
  • One participant asks for clarification on the length of wire needed to be submerged and whether a single wire or multiple conductors are required.
  • A suggestion is made to check marine supply stores for appropriate wire options that perform well in wet conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best insulation materials, with no consensus reached on a single solution. Multiple competing views on the suitability of different materials and their effectiveness in specific conditions remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of understanding the specific environmental conditions, such as water type and duration of exposure, which may affect the choice of insulation. There are also considerations regarding the physical movement of the wire underwater and potential damage from aquatic life.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals involved in marine applications, electrical engineering, or DIY projects requiring waterproof wiring solutions.

HydroGuy
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I need simple 10-awg insulated wire that can be passed through water and not corrode. I'm having trouble finding types of insulation to use. What would be my best bet?
 
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PVC seems OK but I'm not sure if it is guaranteed for submerged application.

One possibility would be to use PVC wire but pass it through medical grade silicone tubing. Make sure that any connections are made above water.
 
Most PVC-insulated wire will withstand water for a long, long time. How long do you need it to last? What kind of water is it being put into? Is it still, fresh water?
 
Thanks for the quick responses. Eventually we'll need wire that can be submerged for years at a time, but for now it needs to only hold up for a couple hours, or days at most. The water is freshwater and flowing at river speeds.

Would Silicone Rubber work well? Is it overkill for this application? It is pretty expensive.
 
Wire is already made for this in submersible pump applications for wells.
 
You would have to judge how severe the environment is.

There is a type of silicone rubber tubing used as the elastic element in spearguns and this would be cheaper than medical grade, but still not cheap. Probably not an overkill if the application is important.

You can get normal plastic tubing made of polythene. This is meant to carry liquids so it must be waterproof. Good hardware stores would have this.

The other consideration is if the wire can move underwater, it might rub against a rock or get bitten by a fish or a crab claw, so a rugged coating could be needed.
 
HydroGuy said:
I need simple 10-awg insulated wire that can be passed through water and not corrode. I'm having trouble finding types of insulation to use. What would be my best bet?

Some of the other posters may be making a few assumptions here, so how long of a segment do you need to pass under water? Are we talking just a few feet (at which point, why not just route it around the outside of whatever this is), a few meters, or long distances, here?

Also, are you looking for a single wire, or for several conductors?
 
Marine store like WestMarine has suitable wire that holds up pretty well in damp/wet environments.
 

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