NEMA Standards Publication No.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC Standards Publication 201-2008
Binational Wire and Cable Packaging Standard

Published by
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
www.nema.org

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights including translation into
other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention or the
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American Copyright Conventions.

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
engaged in the development and approval of the document at the time it was developed. Consensus
does not necessarily mean that there is unanimous agreement among every person participating in the
development of this document.
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards and guideline publications, of which
the document contained herein is one, are developed through a voluntary consensus standards
development process. This process brings together volunteers and/or seeks out the views of persons
who have an interest in the topic covered by this publication. While NEMA administers the process and
establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not write the document
and it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy or completeness of any information or
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additional views or information not covered by this publication.
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certifier or maker of the statement.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC 201-2008
Page i
CONTENTS
Page

Foreword ...................................................................................................................................iii
Section 1
1.1
1.2
Section 2
2.1

GENERAL ................................................................................................................................. 1
Scope......................................................................................................................................... 1
Definitions .................................................................................................................................. 1
CONSTRUCTION OF PACKAGE TYPES ............................................................................... 2
Returnable Reels....................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Gas-Tight Returnable Steel Shipping Reels ................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Steel Fluted Reels ......................................................................................................... 2
2.1.3 Engineered Plastic Reels .............................................................................................. 2
2.1.4 Extra Heavy Duty Wood Reels...................................................................................... 2
2.2
Reusable Wood Reels............................................................................................................... 2
2.2.1 Wood Reels................................................................................................................... 3
2.3
Nonreturnable Reels.................................................................................................................. 3
2.3.1 Steel Reels .................................................................................................................... 3
2.3.2 Wood Reels................................................................................................................... 3
2.3.3 Engineered Plastic Reels .............................................................................................. 3
2.3.4 Plywood Reels and Spools ........................................................................................... 3
Section 3 MINIMUM DRUM DIAMETERS .............................................................................................. 13
Section 4 REEL COVERINGS ................................................................................................................ 15
4.1
Reel Coverings ........................................................................................................................ 15
Section 5 MARKING AND IDENTIFICATION......................................................................................... 18
Section 6
6.1
Section 7
7.1

7.2

HANDLING AND STORING OF CABLE REELS................................................................... 19

Handling Recommendations ................................................................................................... 19
CAPACITIES OF PACKAGE TYPES..................................................................................... 20
Calculation of Reel Capacity for Round Cables ...................................................................... 20
7.1.1 Reel Capacity in Feet.................................................................................................. 20
7.1.2 Reel Capacities in Meters ........................................................................................... 20
7.1.3 Reel Capacity Parameters .......................................................................................... 20
Non-round Cables ................................................................................................................... 20

Figures
2-1

Flat Bar Tire Fluted Steel ReelType RM................................................................................ 4

2-2

I-Beam Tire Fluted Steel ReelType RMT............................................................................... 5

Tables
2-1

Gas Tight Returnable Steel Shipping Reels for Pipe-Type Cable ............................................ 6

2-2

General Purpose Steel Fluted Returnable Reels for Wire and CablesClass 1 ..................... 7

2-3

Heavy Duty Steel Fluted Returnable Reels for Wire and CablesClass 2.............................. 8

2-4

General Purpose Reusable Wood ReelsClass 1 .................................................................. 9

2-5

Heavy Duty Reuseable Wood ReelsClass 2 ....................................................................... 10

2-6

Extra Heavy Duty Returnable Wood ReelsClass 3 ............................................................. 11

2-7

Plywood Reels and Spools...................................................................................................... 12

3-1

Minimum Drum Diameters of Reels for Cables ..................................................................... 14

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC 201-2008
Page ii
4-1

Recommended Product Level Protection................................................................................ 16

4-2

Recommended Packaging Materials ...................................................................................... 17

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC 201-2008
Page iii

Foreword
The purpose of this Standards Publication is to provide practical information concerning the packaging of
wire and cable for the North American wire and cable industry. There are, however, scores of different
sizes and types of wire and cable products; and the determination of the most desirable standard
packages for each, from both the manufacturer's and users' points of view, requires careful consideration
of the many variables.
The issuance or existence of these standards does not in any respect prevent or restrict any member
or nonmember of NEMA or EFC from supplying customers with reels or packages not in conformance
with these standards.
User input has been considered throughout the development of this Standards Publication.
This Standards Publication was developed by the Technical Harmonization Committee (THC) on Wire
and Cable Packaging which consists of representatives from the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers
Advisory Council (EEMAC), an affiliate of Electro-Federation Canada, and the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA). This standards publication will be reviewed periodically by THC and
revised as necessary to keep it current with advancing technology. Comments or proposed revisions are
welcomed and should be submitted to:
Vice President, Engineering
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
17th Street, Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209
United States
Vice President, EEMAC
Electro-Federation Canada Inc.
5800 Explorer Drive
Suite 200
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5K9
This Standards Publication was developed by the Building Wire and Cable Section and the Power and
Control Cable Section of NEMA. Section approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that all section
members voted for its approval or participated in its development. At the time it was approved, the sections
were composed of the following members:
AFC Cable SystemsNew Bedford, MA
Alcan CableAtlanta, GA
AmercableEl Dorado, AR
American Insulated Wire CorporationPawtucket, RI
AXA Cables-San Nicolas De Los Garza NL
Cable USADekoron Division, Houston, TX
Colonial Wire & Cable Co., Inc.Hauppauge, NY
Encore Wire CorporationMcKinney, TX
Essex Electric Inc., Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Furon CompanyAurora, OH
General CableHighland Heights, Kentucky
Hendrix Wire & Cable Co.Milford, NH

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC 201-2008
Page iv
Prysmian Power Cables & Systems USA, LLC
Service Wire CompanyCulloden, WV
Southwire CompanyCarrollton, GA
The Kerite CompanySeymour, CT
The Okonite CompanyRamsey, NJ
The Rockbestos-Surprenant Corporation -- East Granby, CT
United Copper IndustriesDenton, TX
This standard was developed in conjunction with EEMAC, the Electrical Equipment Manufacturers
Association of Canada, a Council within Electro-Federation Canada. EEMAC is composed of:
Alcan CableMississauga, ON
Alcatel Canada Wire, Inc.Markham, ON
Belden CDT (Canada) Inc. Cobourg, ON General Cable CorporationWest Nyack, NY
BIW Cable Systems, Ltd.Burlington, ON
Cable Tech., a Division of Noma, Inc.Stouffville, ON
Domtech Holdings, Inc.Trenton, ON
General CableToronto, ON
Nexans Canada, IncMarkham, ON
Noma Consumer ElectricalScarborough, ON
Prysmian Power Cables & Systems Canada Ltd.St. Jean-Sur-Richelieu, PQ
ShawflexEtobicoke, ON

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

WC 26-2008
EEMAC 201-2008
Page 1

Section 1
GENERAL
1.1

SCOPE

This standard covers uniform requirements for packaging electrical wire and cable and replaces the
following NEMA/EEMAC standards:
NEMA WC 26-2000
EEMAC 200-1-1996
EEMAC 201-2000

Wire and Cable Packaging

Returnable and Nonreturnable Reels
Wire and Cable Packaging

No longer active:
PC 1-1973
WC 6-1980
WC 20-1976
WC 21-1978
WC 22-1979
WC 25-1975
WC 26-1990
EEMAC 200-1-1995

1.2

Gas Tight Returnable Steel Shipping Reels for Pipe-type Cable

Minimum Drum Diameters of Reels for Cables
Dimensions and Capacities of Returnable Reels for Wires and Cables
Nonreturnable Reels for Wires and Cables
Construction of Steel Fluted Returnable Reels for Wires and Cables
Protective Coverings for Wire and Cable Reels
Wire and Cable Packaging (Rev 1-8-93)
Returnable and Nonreturnable Reels

DEFINITIONS

maximum overall width: The maximum overall width of the reel such that no portion of the reel exceeds
this value.
maximum strength capacity: Maximum capacity defines the total conductor or cable weight that can be
carried by a particular size and construction of reel or spool. The maximum capacity values listed in the
tables of this document have been determined to be typical values based on experience from users. It
should be noted that for all types of wood reels, over and above the thicknesses and number of tie rods
used, the maximum capacity can vary depending on factors such as wood species, assembly methods,
moisture content, and products that are tightly wounds such as ACSR, etc. Therefore, these values
should be used as a guide only.

Copyright 2008 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.