The Conductor
DLO is a single conductor cable. It uses tin-coated copper as the conductor.
Copper is an excellent conductor—second only to silver. It’s strong but can corrode and not perform as well over time.
The tin coating improves the copper cable, boosts its conductivity and provides additional protection from corrosion and abrasions. With the tin coating, the copper wire can last ten times longer than without.
The Insulation
DLO cable is insulated with a thermoset compound—a resin that hardens when heated. This compound can be ethylene-propylene-diene elastomer (EPDM) or ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR).
EPDM is a cross-linked elastomer that provides excellent flexibility at both high and low temperatures. It’s also very resistant to cuts and scrapes.
EPR is a cross-linked thermosetting rubber insulation with excellent flexibility as well. It’s resistant to compression, cutting and tearing. It’s highly moisture resistant and safe to use around acids and alkalies.
The Jacket
The standard black jacket is also composed of a thermoset compound and the two most popular options are chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) or chlorinated polyethylene (CPE).
CSPE is commonly known by its DuPont brand name Hypalon. It’s strong and has excellent abrasion, ozone, oil and chemical resistance.
CPE is also abrasion, ozone, oil and chemical resistant, though not as much as CSPE.
Both CPE and CSPE options do well when exposed to high or low temperatures for short periods of time.