Author: Jack Publish Time: 2026-07-13 Origin: Site
Open Trench and HDD tracer wire differ mainly in how the utility is installed and the mechanical stress the tracer wire may experience during installation.
AITE Cable supplies High-Flex and High-Strength CCS tracer wire for Open Trench / Open Cut applications, and Extra High-Strength CCS tracer wire for HDD / directional drilling.
| Comparison | Open Trench / Open Cut | HDD / Directional Drilling |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Utility route is excavated before backfill | Utility is pulled through a drilled bore |
| Main Installation Stress | Handling, routing and backfill | Pulling, friction, bending and bore conditions |
| AITE Series | High-Flex CCS or High-Strength CCS | Extra High-Strength CCS |
| AWG Range | High-Flex: 18–10 AWG High-Strength: 18–8 AWG | 12 / 10 / 8 AWG |
| Insulation | 30 mil / 30V or 45 mil / 600V | 45 mil / 600V |
| Typical Selection Basis | Required strength, handling and project specification | Required break load and HDD installation conditions |
In open trench construction, the utility route is excavated before backfilling, allowing the tracer wire to be placed along the non-metallic pipe or conduit during installation.
AITE offers two CCS strength series for this installation method:
Horizontal directional drilling pulls the utility through a drilled bore. The tracer wire can therefore experience greater pulling force, friction and bending during installation than in a conventional open trench.
AITE's Extra High-Strength CCS HDD series is available in 12, 10 and 8 AWG with 45 mil / 600V HMWPE/HDPE direct-burial insulation.
View Extra High-Strength HDD SpecificationsAITE offers 12 AWG CCS tracer wire in all three strength series. The break-load difference shows why AWG is only one part of the product specification.
| AITE 12 AWG Series | Break Load | Insulation | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Flex CCS | 302 lb | 30 mil or 45 mil | Open Trench / Open Cut |
| High-Strength CCS | 452 lb | 30 mil or 45 mil | Open Trench / Open Cut |
| Extra High-Strength CCS | 1,190 lb | 45 mil | HDD / Directional Drilling |
Start with the installation method and the project specification. For Open Trench / Open Cut work, compare the required AWG and break load with the High-Flex and High-Strength series. For HDD, review the Extra High-Strength range against the specified pulling and product requirements.
If you already have a project specification, supplier datasheet or drawing, it can be sent directly to AITE for product matching and quotation.
Send your existing specification, supplier datasheet or RFQ to AITE with the estimated quantity for project pricing.
Jack · International Sales | Cable & Wire Projects
Jack works with AITE Cable customers on cable and wire specifications, OEM and private-label requirements, packaging, project RFQs and production coordination.
Related: CCS Tracer Wire · Open Trench CCS · HDD CCS · RFQ Checklist
