The Industry Standard +/-10% Tolerance on Cable Order Quantities

Q: Why did the manufacturer/distributor ship me more/less than the wire or cable quantity I ordered?

A: There is an industry standard in the wire and cable industry that allows manufacturers and distributors to ship a +/-10% tolerance of the quantity of wire or cable that the customer orders. The customer is then charged per the actual quantity shipped.

There are many reasons that manufacturers and distributors ship within this tolerance. Each situation and vendor will be different, but here are a few common reasons why this may happen:

• If a manufacturer is close to the end of a product run and one component runs out (wire, jacket, etc.), the manufacturer may choose to end the run rather than to splice the product, especially in complex cables.

• The manufacturer or distributor may simply have a shorter or longer length available. If a 100ft length is ordered and the vendor has a 90ft or 110ft reel on the shelf, it is appropriate to ship the customer either reel per the +/- 10% tolerance standard.

• If the cable is extruded, the extrusion process can also lengthen or shorten the cable run.

You can usually find this tolerance described in the manufacturer and distributor terms and conditions and/or shipping policy.

Q: Is there any way to request a specific amount of wire or cable from Lapp Tannehill? I need a specific cable length.

A: We strive to ship exact lengths as often as possible, but sometimes we may ship a slightly shorter or longer reel of product. If an exact length is needed, be sure to specify that requirement on your purchase order (i.e. 1x 100ft for a 100ft length).

Please note, this may extend your lead time if originally quoted from stock and we need to order new material to fulfill your requirements.

Q: Why do I have to specify that I want a specific length when ordering footage of wire or cable? Shouldn’t I just be shipped that length?

A: When distributors do not have the exact footage that you requested, they can ship a +/- 10% tolerance from their stock if possible.

If they do not have stock, they must contact the manufacturer to purchase a new run of the product.

If a distributor were to order a wire or cable run with a 0% tolerance from the manufacturer, they would pay a steep premium for this exact footage, and the customer would typically see this premium reflected in their purchase price.

This premium is incurred due to the cost of the scrap material at the end of the run, as well as the time taken to ensure exact footage at the manufacturer.