CIR®-2 Passes The Same Crush & Impact Testing Required by UL 2225 for Type MC-HL
CIR® vs Type MC
CIR®-2 is ideal for downstream/midstream facilities, well pads and land drilling operations where environmental conditions present unique challenges to a cable’s service life. CIR-2 is ideal for applications where you need a crush & impact rated cable but don’t want to deal with the complex requirements of Type MC installation. CIR-2 cables comply with UL 2225 requirements for hazardous location cables. This highly robust cable offers significant advantages over Type MC:
- Highly flexible for easier installation and can also be reused during an upgrade or retrofit.
- Insulated with GEXOL®
- Smaller bend radius (up to 40% smaller) and Reduced tray fill (up to 35% less) compared to Type MC
- Gas & vapor tight – impervious to water and air
- UL listed as TC-ER-HL – Suitable for Class 1, Div 1 and Zone 1 environments
- UL listed as TC-ER – Suitable for use in Class I, Div 2 and Zone 2 environments
- Glands for CIR-2 Cables cost up to 50% LESS than those for Type MC
- Lower total installed cable cost
“Two things contractors and engineers can’t stop raving about are the flexibility of the CIR cable and the easiness of prepping for terminations.” – Doug Miller
CIR®-2 Ratings & Approvals
- UL Listed as TC-ER-HL (E123629): Suitable for Class 1, Div 1 and Zone 1 environments
- UL Listed as Type TC-ER: Suitable for use in Class I, Div 2 and Zone 2 environments
- Severe cold durability:
– Exceeds CSA cold bend/cold impact (-40°C/-35°F).
– Brittlepoint as per ASTM D 7646-07 exceeds -65°C for Jacket and -75°C for insulation - 90°C temperature rating
- Flame Retardant – IEEE 1202
CIR does not expose cable installers to the sharp metal armor edges created during Type MC cable prep. CIR’s jacket and insulaton are easy to strip and its flexibility makes it easier to handle.
Type MC cable preps requires a complicated armor removal procedure. All it takes is a knife, plus a hacksaw, electric saw, tubing cutter, screwdriver, pliers & lengthy safety instructions.
To prep a CIR cable, all you need is a knife. It’s that simple!
Learn More About CIR-2 Cables!
Offshore Operation?
AmerCable CIR is designed to replace older-technology cables like Type MC. CIR has been successfully used globally since 2002 for mission-critical equipment operating in harsh environments.
- 90°C temperature rating
- UL Listed as Marine Shipboard Cable
- (E111461) n UL Listed as TC-ER-HL – suitable for Class 1, Div 1 and Zone 1 environments
- UL Listed as Type TC-ER – suitable for use in Class I, Div 2 and Zone 2 environments
- Flame Retardant – IEEE 1202
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) (99-BT5905-X)
Shortest Lead Times & Best at On-Time Delivery!
Frequently Asked Questions about CIR®
What is the difference between CIR®-2 and CIR®?
CIR was introduced in 2002 as a flexible alternative for Type MC cable. It was developed for installation on offshore oil & gas facility platforms and carries all required offshore certifications. CIR-2 was rolled out in 2018, with a modified construction designed for use in land-based operations. Click here to learn more about CIR cables for offshore applications.
When was CIR-2 first introduced?
2018. It was created to provide a flexible, crush and impact resistant cable for land-based operations.
Can CIR-2 be used in hazardous locations per UL 2225?
Yes. CIR-2 passes the rigorous crush and impact tests required by UL 2225 for Type MC-HL.
Is CIR-2 GEXOL® insulated?
Yes. AmerCable’s GEXOL insulation compound provides CIR-2 cables with superior flexibility, dielectric properties and field proven reliability in harsh operating environments. Learn more about GEXOL here.
How does CIR-2’s bend radius compare to Type MC?
CIR-2’s bend radius is up to 40% smaller compared to Type MC.
How does CIR-2’s tray fill compare to Type MC?
CIR-2 takes up less space in trays – up to 35% less when compared to Type MC.
Is CIR-2 suitable for extreme cold usage?
Yes. CIR-2 is excellent in extremely cold environments and exceeds CSA cold bend / cold impact (-40°C / -35°F). Its brittlepoint, per ASTM D 7646-07, exceeds -65°C for the jacket and -75°C for insulation.
Is CIR-2 a flexible cable?
Yes. CIR-2 is flexible for easier handling, faster installation and can be reused during an upgrade or retrofit. Type MC can’t make these claims.
Is CIR-2 gas and vapor tight?
Yes. CIR-2 is impervious to water and air.
What CIR-2 constructions are available?
Power cable (3- & 4-conductor), control cable (multi-conductor), instrumentation cable (individually shielded pairs or triads) & 3-conductor VFD power cable.
Is CIR-2 easier to prep and install when compared to Type MC?
CIR-2 is the fastest, safest crush and impact resistant cable to install. Metal clad cable is much more complex, with an installation procedure that requires a specially trained installer, an expensive box of tools and a complicated, multi-step procedure for jacket removal. With CIR, the jacket is easy to score and strip back. Most installers only need a knife to prep for termination.
Are glands more expensive for CIR-2 compared to Type MC?
No. Cable glands are mechanical entry devices used to securely attach, seal and terminate the end of an electrical cable to equipment, junction boxes or control panels. Glands for CIR-2 cables cost up to 50% less than those for Type MC.
Is CIR-2 ABS approved?
No. It is not approved for use in offshore environments.
Does CIR-2 have UL listings?
Yes. CIR-2 has the following UL Listings:
- UL Listed as TC-ER-HL – suitable for Class 1, Div 1 and Zone 1 environments
- UL Listed as Type TC-ER – suitable for use in Class I, Div 2 and Zone 2 environments
What is CIR’s temperature rating?
90°C
Does CIR-2 come standard with a flame-retardant jacket?
Yes – the standard CIR-2 jacket meets IEEE 1202.
What do installers like about CIR-2?
The two things that contractors and engineers rave about are:
- The flexibility of the CIR-2 cable, and
- How easy it is to strip the jacket to prep for terminations.
What should I know about CIR-2’s jacket?
In addition to being crush and impact resistant per UL 2225, CIR-2’s black jacket is made of a flame retardant, oil-, abrasion-, chemical- and sunlight-resistant thermoset compound meeting the requirements of UL 1277.
Why should I purchase CIR-2 over Type MC cables?
CIR-2 is flexible, so much easier to handle and install. It’s also GEXOL insulated for superior electrical properties and does not need aspecially trained installer. CIR can provide significant overall savings, as shown below:
Is CIR-2 Made in the USA?
Like all AmerCable cables, CIR-2 is manufactured in El Dorado, Arkansas USA.
Is CIR-2 UL listed as TC-ER-HL (E123629)?
Yes. CIR-2 is suitable for use in Class 1, Div 1 and Zone 1 environments.
Is CIR-2 UL listed as TC-ER?
Yes. It is suitable for Class I, Div 2 and Zone 2 environments.