XRDS -RF XRDS-RF THHN Wire 150FT, 8AWG Stranded Copper THHN Electrical Wire, Black Nylon-Coated Thermoplastic Insulated Cable for Indoor Conduit Wiring, 600V Rated

Why I reached for this wire

I had a straightforward goal: pull a new 240V circuit through EMT from a main panel to a garage heater and a small tool circuit, all inside conduit with a clean, code-compliant finish. For that kind of work, stranded THHN is my go-to. I picked up the XRDS‑RF 8 AWG THHN wire in a 150‑foot length specifically because I wanted something flexible enough to pull through bends without fighting me, tough enough to survive the run, and reasonably priced for a single job that still leaves some leftovers on the shelf.

Build and materials

This is stranded copper THHN rated to 600 V with PVC insulation and a nylon jacket. The conductor stranding strikes a good balance—fine enough to bend easily, but not so fine that it flares under set screws. The black PVC inner layer is uniform and round; the outer nylon jacket adds abrasion and oil resistance and gives the wire a slick feel that pays off during pulling. Markings along the jacket are clear and consistent—always helpful when you’re sorting conductors and checking ratings mid‑project.

As an 8 AWG single conductor, the outside diameter is right in the expected range for THHN of this size. That consistency matters for conduit fill; I had no surprises when planning the run. The 150‑foot length I received was neatly wound and didn’t arrive kinked or crushed. It pays to set it up on a spindle or a makeshift reel; as with any coiled conductor, feeding from the coil’s axis minimizes memory and twist.

Installation experience

• Pulling: The nylon jacket glides well in EMT and PVC. On my run with a couple of 90s and a few offsets, the wire moved without chatter or snags. I still used a small amount of wire lube at the first 90, but honestly could have gotten by with none. The jacket came out unmarred, with no chalking or scuffing that would worry me.

• Flexibility: Compared to solid 8 AWG, this is much friendlier in tight spaces. It navigated box entries and panel gutters with less spring‑back, and it sat nicely under breaker lugs. If you’ve fought solid conductors at this gauge, you’ll appreciate the improvement.

• Stripping and terminating: Stripping THHN with a nylon jacket can trip people up. Score the nylon lightly and strip in two stages to avoid nicking the PVC underneath. With the right technique (and a decent set of strippers), this jacket came off cleanly every time. The copper strands held together well; they didn’t untwist or fray when inserted into mechanical lugs. Tightening under a properly sized set screw gave a solid, confident bite.

• Identification and color: This spool is black. If you’re wiring a multi‑conductor circuit, plan for separate colors for neutral and equipment ground to stay compliant—don’t assume you can re‑identify everything with tape. For my project, I paired this black conductor for the ungrounded legs with separate white and green conductors purchased to match. If you want a clean panel with easy serviceability, start with the right colors.

Where it fits well

• Feeder and larger branch circuits in conduit: Sub‑feeds to a small garage panel, workshop tools, or heat loads are natural fits. Check ampacity in your jurisdiction—THHN has a high temperature rating, but termination ratings and conductor count in the raceway will dictate your final allowable amperage. Plan for derating and choose breaker and wire sizes accordingly.

• Outdoor runs in conduit: The jacket’s abrasion resistance helps when threading through rigid or PVC outdoors. The product is positioned for indoor use and for outdoor use when properly installed in conduit; as always, confirm the marking on the wire’s print legend aligns with the wet‑location requirements of your local code.

• Oil/chemical‑adjacent areas: The nylon jacket’s resistance to oils and many chemicals is useful in garages and shops. I routed a short section near a compressor and appreciated the extra protection versus standard PVC alone.

Handling and durability notes

• Jacket toughness: I tugged this around a stubborn stub‑out and intentionally let it rub a duct edge to see how the nylon would fare. The jacket scuffed, but didn’t cut through to the PVC. That bodes well for long pulls. Obviously, avoid sharp edges and deburr your conduit, but the wire gives you a bit of forgiveness.

• Coil memory: The wire has some memory right off the roll—as expected—but it relaxes after a few bends and isn’t springy in the panel. If you build neat sweeps and give yourself a little extra length, it lays down nicely.

• Box fill: 8 AWG takes space. Even though stranded is more cooperative than solid, plan your box and gutter sizes generously. In cramped boxes with multiple 8 AWG conductors, moving up a size saves hassle.

Safety and compliance considerations

• Ratings: This is 600 V THHN with a nylon jacket. Use it in raceways and dry locations, and outdoors only when properly installed in conduit per the manufacturer. Always verify the exact markings on the jacket against your code requirements, especially for wet locations.

• Ampacity: Don’t assume a fixed amperage just because it’s 8 AWG. Your allowable ampacity depends on insulation rating, equipment termination ratings, ambient temperature, number of current‑carrying conductors in the raceway, and local amendments. Use the appropriate code tables, apply derating, and size your breakers accordingly.

• Terminations: At 8 AWG, you’re usually landing on breakers or mechanical lugs, not device screws. Confirm your lugs are listed for stranded copper of this gauge and torque to spec.

Value and availability

The 150‑foot length hit a sweet spot for me—enough for a multi‑stop run with a comfortable margin, without paying for a 500‑foot reel. Price‑wise, it’s competitive with what I can get locally, and the convenience of a ready‑to‑use coil is nice if you don’t keep bulk reels in the shop. The XRDS‑RF line offers other gauges and lengths, so it’s easy to match what you need for the job instead of overbuying. I’d like to see more color options bundled together, but single‑color coils are standard in this category.

What I’d change

• Include a simple payout spool or center core. The coil is neat, but a cardboard arbor or plastic hub would make dispensing even easier.

• Clear, prominent dual‑rating if applicable. Many THHN products carry THWN‑2 markings for wet locations; if this one is similarly rated, a bold callout on the packaging would remove any doubt on outdoor conduit runs.

• Broader color availability on the same listing would simplify ordering for multi‑conductor pulls.

Who will appreciate it

• Electricians and experienced DIYers running conduit work for feeders, workshops, or fixed equipment.

• Anyone who values easier pulling and neater terminations versus fighting solid conductors at this gauge.

• Homeowners upgrading garage/shop circuits where mechanical protection and abrasion resistance matter.

If you rarely work in conduit or primarily wire standard receptacle/light circuits, 8 AWG THHN may be bigger than your typical needs. But for medium‑duty circuits and feeders, this is the right tool for the job.

The bottom line

The XRDS‑RF 8 AWG THHN wire does exactly what I want from stranded THHN: it pulls cleanly, resists abrasion, strips predictably with proper technique, and lands solidly under lugs. The build quality is consistent, the jacket markings are clear, and the 150‑foot length is practical. Its single‑conductor nature means you must plan your colors and quantities, but that’s standard practice in conduit work.

Recommendation: I recommend this wire for residential and light commercial conduit runs where 8 AWG stranded copper is appropriate. It’s flexible, durable, and priced right, making it a dependable choice for feeders and larger branch circuits. Verify the jacket markings for your specific location requirements, pair it with the proper colors, and it will reward you with an easy pull and a tidy finish.