The Differences between TXL, GXL, and SXL Automotive Wires and Selection Guide
TXL, GXL and SXL are three common types of automotive wires, which differ in terms of material, performance and application scenarios. The following is a detailed comparison of them and a guide for selecting automotive wires:
I. Differences between TXL, GXL, and SXL
Features |
SXL |
||
Conductor cross-sectional |
ultra-thin design (thinner outer diameter) |
standard cross-sectional |
standard cross-sectional |
thickness of the insulating layer |
the thinnest (about 0.64mm) |
medium (about 0.76mm) |
the thickest (about 0.91mm) |
Temperature resistance grade |
-40°C ~ 125°C |
-40°C ~ 125°C |
-40°C ~ 125°C |
oil resistance |
excellent |
excellent |
excellent |
flexibility |
High flexibility (suitable for narrow Spaces) |
medium |
low (harder insulation layer) |
Typical applications |
modern compact automotive wiring harnesses |
general automotive wiring harnesses, |
high-temperature or mechanical stress environments |
Key differences
1.TXL Wire
- The thinnest outer diameter and insulation layer make it suitable for modern cars with limited space (such as areas with dense electronic modules).
- Under the same cross-sectional area, it saves 20% to 30% of space compared with GXL/SXL.
2. GXL Wire
- Balanced design, widely used in most automotive wiring harnesses, with high cost performance.
3. SXL Wire
- It has the thickest insulation layer and strong resistance to mechanical wear, making it suitable for high-temperature and high-vibration areas such as engine compartments.
II. Key Points for Selecting Automotive Wires
1. Current load (cross-sectional area)
- Select the cross-sectional area of the conductor (such as 0.5mm², 1.0mm², 2.5mm², etc.) according to the current size, and refer to ISO 6722 or SAE J1128 standards.
- For example, in a 12V system, a 1.0mm² wire can carry approximately 10A of current (for short distances).
2. Temperature resistance requirements
- Engine compartment: Select models that can withstand temperatures above 125°C (such as SXL).
- Interior of the carriage: TXL/GXL (resistant to 105°C to 125°C) is sufficient.
3. Environmental adaptability
- Oil resistance/chemical corrosion resistance: Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation materials (TXL/GXL/SXL all meet the requirements) are preferred.
- Waterproof: It is necessary to use waterproof connectors or select special sheaths (such as GPT type wires).
4. Mechanical stress
- For high-vibration areas (such as the chassis), SXL or braided shielding layers should be selected.
- For high flexibility requirements (such as door wiring harnesses), TXL can be selected.
5. Standard certification
- Complies with SAE J1128 (American standard), ISO 6722 (international standard) or national standard GB/T 25085/25087.
6. Cost and space
- For compact design, choose TXL; for regular applications, choose GXL; and for high reliability requirements, choose SXL.
III. Other common types of automotive wires
- GPT: General-purpose type, with a relatively thick insulation layer, resistant to 105°C, used in non-high-temperature areas.
- HDT: Heavy-duty wire, resistant to high temperatures up to 150°C, used in high-voltage systems of hybrid/electric vehicles.
- Coaxial Cable: Used for radio frequency signals (such as GPS, antennas).
IV. Example of Selection Process
- Determine the circuit current → Select the cross-sectional area.
- Analyze the environment (temperature, oil contamination, vibration) → Select TXL/GXL/SXL.
- Verify whether it complies with the vehicle manufacturer's standards (such as German VW 60306, Japanese JASO).
Through the above steps, a balance can be achieved among the safety, reliability and cost of the wires.