We Buy Surplus Tray Cable and VFD Cable in Ohio
Tray cable runs in open cable trays through plants and warehouses, and VFD cable carries the output of a variable-frequency drive with shielding that keeps electrical noise contained. We buy surplus TC, TC-ER and VFD cable from Ohio businesses in full reels, partial reels and cut lengths. Send the reel tag and the footage.
TC and TC-ER are not the same rating
TC is tray cable: a multiconductor assembly rated for use in cable trays, in the 600-volt class for the common constructions. TC-ER adds an exposed-run rating, so the cable can leave the tray and travel to the equipment without being enclosed for that portion of the route.
That one suffix changes where the cable can be used, and it changes how a reel is read. If the print says TC only, describe it as TC only. If it says TC-ER, photograph that line on the jacket. Sunlight resistance and direct-burial markings are separate print items, so read the whole legend rather than the first few letters. Tray cable jackets normally also carry the temperature rating and the manufacturer name, which helps confirm a reel whose tag is gone.
Why VFD cable looks different inside
VFD cable is built for variable-frequency drive circuits. The usual construction has three symmetrical grounds, a foil shield, a braid shield or both, and XLPE insulation. The symmetrical grounds and the shield control the high-frequency noise and reflected voltage that drive output creates over a long run. That construction is why VFD cable feels heavier and stiffer than tray cable of the same conductor size.
Voltage class on VFD cable often sits above the 600-volt building standard, and the jacket print will say so. Shield type matters: foil alone, braid alone, or foil over braid with a drain wire. A shielded reel and an unshielded one are different lots, so note which one you have.
Details that decide whether a reel fits
Conductor count and size come first: 3 conductor, 4 conductor, with or without ground, in AWG or kcmil. Then the voltage class, the shield, and the overall jacket material. Tray cable jackets are commonly PVC or a nylon-jacketed construction, and the print states which.
Then footage and condition. Full factory reels with the tag intact are the easiest to review. Partial reels need the remaining length and a note on whether the end is sealed. Cut lengths need a count and an approximate length for each piece. If a reel was opened and rewound, say so, since a rewound reel is harder to measure accurately. Add the Ohio city where the material sits.
Quote this material
This form is routed with the category already noted, so the buyer knows what they are looking at before opening the photos.
Full reels, partial reels, coils and cartons are all reviewed. Condition changes the number, not the eligibility.
Quote Tray Cable / VFD Cable
Tell us what you have and attach photos of the reels, tags and jacket legends. Fields marked * are required.
Tray Cable / VFD Cable questions
What does the ER in TC-ER mean?
ER stands for exposed run. TC-ER cable is rated to run exposed outside a cable tray for part of its route, which plain TC cable is not.
How do I identify VFD cable on a reel?
Look for VFD, drive or shielded wording in the jacket print, a foil or braid shield under the jacket, and three symmetrical grounds. The reel tag usually names the shield type.
Are partial tray cable reels of interest?
Yes, partials are reviewed. Remaining footage, conductor count and whether the jacket and shield are intact decide how a reel is handled.
Selling tray cable / vfd cable?
Send the wire type, footage, condition and photos of the reels and tags. We review it and come back with pricing and pickup logistics.