MWS Wire /
Magnet wire, also known as winding wire or enameled wire, is a copper or aluminum wire coated with a thin insulation and is a principal component of transformers, inductors, motors, and other electrical devices.
The enamel is typically a polymer film that provides a tough continuous layer of insulation. Resins used in the development of enamels are designed with wire properties in mind like abrasion resistance, solderability, and thermal rating.
Enameled wires are engineered to meet temperature classes from 105 to 240°C and a service life at rated temperature for 20,000 hours, per NEMA MW 1000 specification.
MWS offers thousands of magnet wire sizes and types to meet your application and production requirements. While magnet wire is traditionally either copper or aluminum, we can insulate any alloy for special applications. Contact us for more information.
Round Magnet Wire
Technical Data
Need more info about Round Magnet Wire?
See the Data Sheet in our Tech Book.
Magnet Wire Calculator
To use it, please select the AWG size and insulation options in the drop-down menus, below.
- The tool provides data for Single, Heavy, Triple, and Quad insulation builds per NEMA MW 1000-2015.
- Values not covered under NEMA 1000-2015 have been derived from MWS Wire Internal Standards.
- Diameters shown do not include those for Quad Build NEMA MW 1000-2015 MW16C.
If you do not see exactly what you are looking for, please contact us.
Product Spotlight
High Temperature
Polyimide - ML* (ML)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW16
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-46
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/ 15
Film composed of aromatic polyimide resin with high cut through, exceptional chemical resistance, and minimal outgassing
• capable of continuous operation at 240°C
• Operation in extremely harsh environments with high and low temperatures
Applications: Cryogenics, high temperature continuous duty coils, hermetically sealed relays, fractional and integral HP motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
Product Spotlight
Polyimide ML
Polyimide ML is a durable high-temperature (thermal class 240°C) heat resistant insulation offering protection from external and internal heat sources and allowing wire products to withstand bakeout temperatures. This insulation is frequently used in high-temperature continuous duty coils, hermetically sealed relays, and fractional and integral HP motors.
Because of its thermal insulation and radiation resistance properties, Polyimide (ML) is used to wind coils on satellites, spacecraft and launch vehicles. Other uses include avionics, navigation, flight controls, wing movement, and collision avoidance.
Electronic applications - Polyimide (ML) film is ideal for high heat environments, such as wheel speed sensors, brake control systems and for the majority of applications in all Aerospace market segments.
Technology Focus
Heat Resistant Polyimide Insulation
This resin not only has excellent heat stability, but also great mechanical and electrical characteristics and reliability, thus achieving a long history of use and popularity. These applications are continuously expanding to include use in insulated covers for heat-resistant wires, as well as parts used in airplane production and industrial equipment.
Top Features of the Polyimide ML Heat Membrane:
- High strength and elasticity
- Heat and cold resistance
- Can be used at a wide range of temperatures: between -269°C and 240°C
- High-voltage insulation properties
- Chemical resistance / Oil resistance
- Resistance to radiation
- Dimensional stability
- Nonflammable
* Registered trademark of Industrial Summit Technology
Solderable Insulations
Polyurethane -155 (P155)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW79
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-20
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/41
Solderable film composed of modified polyurethane resins designed for fine wire applications
- Excellent resistance to moisture and most solvents
Applications: Fluid filled coils, relays, high frequency coils and transformers, solenoids, small motors
Polyurethane Nylon-155 (PN155)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW80
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-21
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/42
Solderable dual film composed of modified polyurethane resins with a polyamide (nylon) overcoat
- Provides improved lubricity for ease of winding.
- Lower soldering temperature (390°C) compared to solderable polyester
Applications: Appliance motors, relays, toroidal coils, fractional HP motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Blue, Yellow, Black, Violet, Orange, White, Brown
Polyurethane -180 (P180)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW82
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-51
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: NONE
Polyurethane film designed for applications requiring high thermal resistance and low soldering temperature
Applications: Fluid filled coils, relays, ignition coils, solenoids, small Transformers
Polyurethane Nylon 180 (PN180)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW83
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-55
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: NONE
Polyurethane with polyamide (nylon) overcoat
- Good for applications requiring high thermal properties
- and chemical resistance
- Lower soldering temperature (390°C) compared to solderable polyester
Applications: Relays, pulse transformers, small appliance motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Blue, Yellow, Black, Violet, Orange, White, Brown
Polyester - 180 (SPT) Solderable
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW77
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-23
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/ 39
Film insulation composed of modified polyesterimide resins designed to solder at 470°C
- Generally made at 24 AWG and finer sizes
- More durable than polyurethane insulations
Applications: High temperature relays, transformers, automotive coils
Solderable Polyester Nylon (SPTN)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW78
IEC STANDARD (60317): NONE
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/ 40
Dual film composed of modified polyesterimide resins with nylon overcoat
- Superior performance where winding stresses may be severe
- Designed to solder at 470°C
- Generally made in heavier gauge sizes
Applications: Transformers, automotive coils, appliance motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Blue, Yellow, Black, Violet, Orange, White, Brown
Polyesters Non Solderable
Polyesterimide-180 (PT)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW30
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-8
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JR 1177/ 12
Film insulation composed of modified polyester resins with excellent chemical resistance.
Applications: Solenoids, servo motors, small appliance motors
Polyester - Nylon (PTN)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW76
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-22
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JR 1177/38
Adds a nylon overcoat for continuous 180°C operating temperature and low coefficient of friction for superior winding and insertion properties.
Applications: Motor stators, fractional HP motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
Polyester- 200 (PT200)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW74
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-42
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/43
A dual coat system composed of THEIC modified polyester, combined with a corona resistant shield coat of polyamideimide (A/I) overcoat designed to withstand severe voltage stresses.
Applications: High voltage motors and high temperature applications
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
Polyesteramideimide-200 (APT)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW35
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-13
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: JW 1177/ 14
A dual coat system composed of THEIC modified polyester, combined with a corona resistant shield coat of polyamideimide (A/I) overcoat designed to withstand severe voltage stresses.
Applications: High voltage motors and high temperature applications
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
Polyester A/I Inverter Grade (APTIG)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW73
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-13
FEDERAL SPECIFICATION: NONE
A dual coat system composed of THEIC modified polyester, combined with a corona resistant shield coat of polyamideimide (A/I) overcoat designed to withstand severe voltage stresses.
Applications: Inverter duty motors
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
High Dielectric Constant
Plain Enamel (PE)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW1
One of the earliest film insulations developed for automotive ignition coils. Now primarily used in musical instruments for pickup coils.
- Manufactured to single build dimensions and stocked in sizes 41 to 44 AWG
Applications: Pickup coils for guitars and other instruments
FORMVAR (F)
NEMA STANDARD (NW1000): MW15
IEC STANDARD (60317): 60317-1
FEDERAL SPEC.: JW 1177/14
An early synthetic insulation composed of modified polyvinyl resins designed for continuous operation at 105C
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Compatible with most varnishes and impregnating compounds
Applications: Oil filled transformers, motors, solenoids, superconducting coils or other cryogenic applications
Colors Available: Red, Green, Natural, Black
Special Processes
Our magnet wire can be customized to your exact need
- Ablated
- Annealed
- Bondable
- Cut to length
- Custom shapes
- Spooling
Ablated | Annealed | Bondable | Cut to length | Custom shapes | Spooling
Ask a sales representative about any special temper or wire finish.
