Material Safety Data Sheet

                                      Disclaimer

The products produced by Encore Wire Limited exhibit no specific hazard due to their

construction beyond the hazards associated with the components used in their

manufacture. This Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a compilation of the data

contained in the individual component MSDS sheets and as such is reliant on the

accuracy of those individual sheets. Under normal use there is no significant inherent

hazardous exposure opportunity from the construction materials.





                         Section 1 � Product Identification

This MSDS reflects the components used in the manufacture of:



                  Product                Normal Construction Components

                  � NM-B                 PVC, Nylon, Copper

                  � UF-B                 PVC, Nylon, Copper

                  � THHN                 PVC, Nylon, Copper

                  � SEU                  PVC, Nylon, Copper, Polyethylene, Aluminum

                  � SER                  PVC, Nylon, Copper, Polyethylene, Aluminum

                  � XHHW                 Polyethylene, Copper, Aluminum

                  � USE                  Polyethylene, Copper, Aluminum





                                Section 2 � Ingredients



The Components included are:



�   Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

�   Nylon

�   Copper

�   Polyethylene Compounds

�   Aluminum





                               Section 3 � Physical Data



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Specific Gravity: 1.1 to 1.6

Melting Point: 350° to 400° Fahrenheit



Nylon

Specific Gravity: 1.05 to 1.25

Decomposition Temperature: 300° Centigrade

Copper

Specific Gravity: 8.96

Melting Point: 1083° Centigrade



Cross-Link Polyethylene

Vinyltrimethoxysilane - Specific Gravity: 0.92 � 0.96

Dibutyltindilaurate/Antimony Trioxide mix - Specific Gravity: 1.72



Aluminum

Specific Gravity: 2.5 to 2.9

Melting Point: 900° to 1200° Fahrenheit





                           Section 4 � Fire and Explosion Data



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Extinguishing media: Water spray, CO2 or dry chemical fire extinguisher



Nylon

Flash point - 400° Centigrade

Fire extinguishing media: Water fog, foam, CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher

Fire personnel should wear fire protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus



Cross-Link Polyethylene

Flash point - 650° Centigrade

Extinguishing media: Water spray, CO2 or dry chemical fire extinguisher

Dense smoke emitted when burned without sufficient oxygen. Possible dust explosion if

fines accumulate.

Fire personnel should wear standard fire fighting attire.



Aluminum

Halogen acids and sodium hydroxide in contact with aluminum may generate explosive

mixtures of hydrogen. Fines will form explosive mixtures in the air and in contact with

bromides, iodates or ammonium nitrates. Strong oxidizers cause violent reactions with

considerable heat generation. Burning aluminum may generate carbon monoxide, carbon

dioxide and ozone nitrogen oxides.





                                Section 5 � Health Effects



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Polyvinyl Chloride Resin � 30 to 60%

Inert fillers � 0 to 30% (CaCO3 , Clay)

Heat Stabilizers � 0 to 5% (Organometallic compounds of Lead, Calcium and/or Zinc)

Plasticizer � 20 to 40% (High Molecular Weight Esters)

Flame Retardant � 0 to 5% (Antimony Trioxide)

PVC compounds evolve hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide and other hazardous byproducts

when thermally degraded, exposure should be avoided. Exposure during handling should be

controlled by wearing gloves. Washing the exposed surfaces can control the effects of contact

with the material. Effort should be made to control nuisance dust and personal exposure to

unavoidable nuisance dust limited by the use of respirators.



Nylon

Routes of entry for solids and liquids include eye and skin contact, ingestion and inhalation.

Routes of entry for gases include inhalation and eye contact. Skin contact may be a route of entry

for liquefied gases.



Acute Overexposure Effects:

Caprolactam vapor may be released during processing. Dusts generated from mechanical

processing may cause irritation to the eyes, skin or respiratory tract. The OSHA TWA

and the ACGIH TLV for caprolactam vapor are 5 ppm.



First Aid Procedures:

Skin: Wash affected area with soap and water. Remove and launder contaminated

clothing before reuse.

Eyes: Rinse eyes with running water for 15 minutes.

Inhalation: Move to fresh air.

Seek Medical attention if symptoms appear more than casual.



Copper

Acute Overexposure:

Inhalation of fumes may cause irritation of the respiratory tract and metal fume fever with

symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, chest tightness or metallic taste. Ingestion of metallic

copper could be moderately irritating to the gastrointestinal tract.



Chronic Overexposure:

Long-term overexposure to dust or fume may cause skin irritation or discoloration of the

skin and hair.



Affected Medical Conditions:

Persons with Wilson’s Disease could be affected by copper exposure.



First Aid Procedures:

Inhalation: Remove from exposure; place under the care of a physician.

Ingestion: Induce vomiting in a conscious individual and call a physician.

Skin or Eyes: Flush with plenty of water. If symptoms develop, consult a physician.



Cross-Link Polyethylene

Eyes: Flush for 15 minutes with water, get medical attention.

If swallowed: Induce vomiting.

Aluminum

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air; if condition continues, consult a physician.

Eyes: Flush thoroughly with running water to remove particulate; obtain medical

attention.

Skin contact: Remove particles by washing thoroughly with soap and water. Seek

medical attention if condition persists.

Ingestion: If significant amounts of metal are ingested, consult a physician.





                                Section 6 � Reactive Data



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Thermal degradation of this material produces Hydrogen Chloride, Carbon Monoxide

and other common hazardous byproducts of combustion.



Nylon

Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, acids and bases. Avoid prolonged exposure to

extreme heat, dust accumulation and moisture during storage. Overheating may cause

decomposition and the release of Hydrogen Cyanide, CO and Ammonia.



Copper

Contact with >52% hydrogen peroxide may cause a violent reaction, contact with

acetylene may form unstable acetylides, copper foil burns spontaneously in gaseous

chlorines and finely divided copper with finely divided halogenates may explode with

heat, percussion or light friction. Hazardous oxide fines may evolve at temperatures

above the melting point.



Cross-Link Polyethylene

Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents. Decomposition generates Carbon dioxide,

carbon monoxide, hydrogen bromide, methanol, oxides of antimony and trace volatile

organics.



Aluminum

Halogen acids and sodium hydroxide in contact with aluminum may generate explosive

mixtures of hydrogen. Fines will form explosive mixtures in the air and in contact with

bromates, iodates or ammonium nitrate. Strong oxidizers cause violent reaction with

considerable heat generation.





                             Section 7 � Personal Protection



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Respiratory Protection: If dust is generated by handling.

Gloves and other protective clothing: avo id direct contact with lead stabilized

compounds

Nylon

Gloves and apron to prevent contact during processing. When processing vapors are not

adequately controlled, wear a NIOSH/MSHA approved organic vapor cartridge

respirator. For excessive dust, wear a NIOSH/MSHA approved dust respirator. Use

local exhaust to control the accumulation of dust or vapor during processing.



Copper

Local exhaust ventilation is recommended for dust and/or fume generating operations.

Avoid inhalation or ingestion by practicing good housekeeping and personal hygiene

procedures. Where airborne exposures may exceed OSHA/ACGIH permissible air

concentrations, the minimum respiratory protection recommended is negative pressure air

purifying respirator with cartridges that are NIOSH/MSHA approved against dust, fumes

and mists having a TWA not less than 0.05 mg/cu m. Protective clothing is

recommended for jobs with heavy dust exposure to prevent skin irritation. Contaminated

clothing should be removed before leaving the plant premises.



Cross-Link Polyethylene

An approved respirator may be needed in areas with a high accumulation of fines.



Aluminum

Appropriate dust/mist/fume respirator should be used to avoid excessive inhalation of

particulates. Safety glasses should be worn when cutting and glove worn when handling.





                        Section 8 � Spill / Leak / Environmental



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Dispose of the THHN insulating material utilizing the correct procedures as required by

EPA and DOT due to its Lead and Antimony Trioxide content.



Nylon

This material is not regulated by RCRA or CERCLA. Incinerate or bury in a licensed

facility. Do not discharge into waterways or sewer systems without proper authority.



Copper

The LC50 for copper is the fathead minnow is 12 mg/L and is 3.5 mg/kg for a mouse.

Acid solutions promote mobility and solubility of copper. Any method that keeps dust to

a minimum is acceptable, do not use compressed air for cleaning.



Waste Disposal: If hazardous under 40 CFR 261, subparts B and C, material must be

treated or disposed in a facility meeting the requirements of 40 CFR 264 or 265. If non-

hazardous, material should be disposed if in a facility meeting requirements of 40 CFR

257. If discarded in an unaltered form, material should be tested to determine if it must

be classified as a hazardous waste for disposal purposes.



Cross-Link Polyethylene

Dispose of in accordance with local, state or federal regulations.

                           Section 9 –Storage and Handling



General storage procedures acceptable. Keep away from heat or flame.





                          Section 10 � Regulatory Information



Polyvinyl Chloride Compounds

Only the THHN insulating material contains EPA regulated materials (Lead and

Antimony Trioxide).



Nylon

This material is not regulated by RCRA or CERCLA. CAS: 25038-54-4



Copper

This material is not regulated by DOT but is by SARA title III, sections 311, 312 & 313.

RQ=5000lbs. CAS: 7440-50-8.



Cross-Link Polyethylene



Vinyltrimethoxysilane � CAS: 2768-02-7

Dibutyltindilaurate � 77-58-7

Antimony Trioxide � 1309-64-4



                       Section 11 � Transportation Information



All products are considered “Articles� and as such require no special transportation

requirements.