GN500 Industrial Furnace Wire — and Its UL AWM Equivalent for International Projects
GN500 is a Chinese designation for high-temperature mica-insulated furnace wire rated for continuous service at temperatures up to 500°C — the standard internal wiring specification for industrial furnaces, kilns, ceramic ovens, and high-temperature heating equipment in Chinese manufacturing. For international buyers or export-oriented OEM manufacturers requiring UL-recognized wire for the same application category, the UL AWM equivalent is Style 5107 or Style 5359 — mica tape with glass braid insulation certified under UL Subject 758 for 200°C or 450°C operation at 600V.
This page covers both GN500 specification for domestic/IEC market applications and the UL 5107/5359 equivalent for North American market compliance — helping procurement engineers select the correct wire for their specific market and certification requirement.
GN500 vs UL AWM — Standards Comparison
| Property | GN500 | UL 5107 / UL 5359 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | GB/T 13033 (Chinese national standard) | UL Subject 758 AWM (UL recognized) |
| Market | China, IEC markets | North America, global OEM compliance |
| Temperature Rating | 500°C continuous | 200°C or 450°C (UL 5107 / 5359) |
| Voltage Rating | 500V AC | 600V AC |
| Insulation | Multi-layer mica tape + treated fiberglass braid | Mica tape + glass braid treated with silicone varnish or TFE finish |
| Conductor Size | 0.5–16 mm² (metric) | 26 AWG–550 kcmil (AWG) |
| Certification | GB/T compliance test report | UL Recognized Component Mark |
| Interchangeable? | Not for compliance purposes — GN500 cannot substitute UL 5107 for North American market UL certification requirements | |
GN500 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Temperature Rating | 500°C continuous |
| Voltage Rating | 500V AC |
| Conductor | Nickel-plated copper or bare copper, solid or stranded |
| Insulation | Multi-layer mica tape (non-extruded) |
| Outer Covering | Treated fiberglass braid (silicone varnish or PTFE finish) |
| Cross-Sections | 0.5 mm² – 16 mm² |
| AWG Range | 20 AWG – 6 AWG |
| Flame Rating | Horizontal flame |
| Color | Natural fiberglass (off-white / beige) |
| MOQ | Cut-to-length from 1 meter / 50m standard coil |
Cross-Section and AWG Reference — GN500
| Cross-Section | AWG Equiv. | Approx. OD (mm) | Max Resistance (Ω/km at 20°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mm² | 20 AWG | 3.8 | 39.0 |
| 0.75 mm² | 18 AWG | 4.2 | 26.0 |
| 1.5 mm² | 15 AWG | 5.0 | 13.3 |
| 2.5 mm² | 13 AWG | 5.8 | 7.98 |
| 4.0 mm² | 11 AWG | 6.5 | 4.95 |
| 6.0 mm² | 9 AWG | 7.5 | 3.30 |
| 10 mm² | 7 AWG | 9.0 | 1.91 |
| 16 mm² | 6 AWG | 11.0 | 1.21 |
UL AWM Equivalent — UL 5107 and UL 5359
For buyers requiring UL-recognized mica furnace wire for North American market compliance, the direct UL AWM equivalent of GN500 is UL Style 5107 or UL Style 5359 — both mica tape with glass braid insulation certified under UL Subject 758 for 200°C or 450°C operation at 600V. The UL AWM styles differ from GN500 in one important parameter: the maximum temperature rating is 450°C for UL 5107/5359, not 500°C.
For the majority of industrial furnace internal wiring applications where the wire surface temperature at the routing position does not actually reach 500°C — even in furnaces with operating temperatures above 500°C, the wire is typically routed in cooler zones or through thermal barriers — the 450°C UL AWM rating is adequate. For applications where wire surface temperature genuinely and continuously exceeds 450°C, GN500 or equivalent non-UL mica wire at 500°C rating should be specified, with the understanding that UL AWM recognition is not available at this temperature level.
Application Categories
Industrial Furnaces and Kilns
Internal element lead wires, thermocouple connection leads, and control wiring inside continuous belt furnaces, batch box furnaces, ceramic kilns, and sintering furnaces where sustained temperatures between 300°C and 450°C make silicone and PTFE-insulated alternatives unsuitable. For UL-recognized applications specify UL 5107; for non-UL applications specify GN500.
Glass and Ceramic Manufacturing
Electrode connection leads, pyrometer wiring, and temperature controller wiring inside glass annealing lehrs and ceramic decoration kilns where ambient temperatures in the connection area regularly exceed 300°C. UL 5107 covers the 450°C range; GN500 covers applications where wire surface temperature exceeds 450°C.
Metal Heat Treatment
Internal wiring of vacuum heat treatment furnaces, atmosphere-controlled annealing furnaces, and salt bath furnaces where the combination of high temperature, chemical atmosphere, and long continuous duty cycles demands mica insulation. Specify UL 5107 for North American market equipment; GN500 for IEC market equipment.
Semiconductor and Electronics Manufacturing
Diffusion furnaces, CVD reactors, and reflow oven internal wiring where process temperatures approach or exceed 400°C and contamination from wire decomposition products is unacceptable. UL 5107 FEP or PTFE finish glass braid is preferred for cleanroom semiconductor environments.
Temperature Rating Comparison — Full Wire Family
| Wire Type | Max Temp | UL AWM Style | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone rubber | 200°C | UL 3135 | UL 758 |
| PTFE | 250°C | UL 1659 | UL 758 |
| Mica-fiberglass (UL AWM) | 450°C | UL 5107 / UL 5359 | UL 758 |
| GN500 mica (non-UL) | 500°C | N/A | GB/T 13033 |
Related UL Styles for Comparison
GN500 and UL 5107 furnace wire buyers commonly cross-reference: UL 5107 (200–450°C / 600V mica tape with glass braid, UL-recognized equivalent for North American market furnace wiring), UL 5359 (200–450°C / 600V mica tape, thinner wall with multi-conductor assembly option), UL 5335 (450°C / 600V mica glass braid, heavier insulation wall for high-current power circuits), and UL 3135 (200°C / 600V silicone rubber, for applications where wire surface temperature does not exceed 200°C).
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Submit your cross-section or AWG, temperature requirement (GN500 or UL 5107/5359), conductor type, length, and annual volume estimate below. Our team responds within 24 business hours. Cut-to-length orders accepted from 1 meter for maintenance replacement.
