Wire Costs

[Junkman]

The local electrical supply house that I frequent, suggested that I purchase my wire from HD or Lowes, since they only sell 10 gauge and larger wire by the foot. Another electrical supply house that is further away, quoted me 17 cents a foot for 12 gauge stranded wire, and offers a selection of colors. Is this a good price, or should I start looking else where for savings. I am estimating that I will need between 450 & 500 feet total of assorted colors. 9 wires times 50' each wire plus or minus. I will know better once I get the conduit in place.

 

[Bert_]

I can get #12 stranded for between 9 and 11 cents/ft depending on the supplier. I do not think many would cut wire of this size, only sell 500' or larger spools, so that might be the reason for the high price. Also many suppliers do not sell to the general public or if they do they put a significant markup on the product.

I'd consider just going to a local electrician and asking if they will sell you some lengths of wire. Your going to pay them an additional markup but probably still less than 17 cents/ft.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you don't buy in 500 foot rolls you pay dearly buying by the foot, and .17 is not out of line by the foot. I have been paying .08 on 500 foot rolls.

Why stranded? It's a pain to terminate and wire nut together. Neccessary in high vibration environments but in a shop?

 

[Junkman]

This wire is being pulled through conduit to provide service to my outside air conditioning units. The discussion about the A/C units is located here.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

If you don't buy in 500 foot rolls you pay dearly buying by the foot, and .17 is not out of line by the foot. I have been paying .08 on 500 foot rolls.

Why stranded? It's a pain to terminate and wire nut together. Neccessary in high vibration environments but in a shop?

Not if u know how and use spec grade outlets and switches...

And stranded wire under a lug is easy...

 

[mm08822]

The local electrical supply house that I frequent, suggested that I purchase my wire from HD or Lowes, since they only sell 10 gauge and larger wire by the foot. Another electrical supply house that is further away, quoted me 17 cents a foot for 12 gauge stranded wire, and offers a selection of colors. Is this a good price, or should I start looking else where for savings. I am estimating that I will need between 450 & 500 feet total of assorted colors. 9 wires times 50' each wire plus or minus. I will know better once I get the conduit in place.

HD is also selling #12 thhn for $.29 by the foot!!!! $.17/ft is now not so bad.

You can use all the same color thhn/thwn wire and buy one 500' roll. Add wire markers to each wire. HD has #12 500' for $54 (~11 cents/foot).

However, if you need a neutral and/or ground, then you have to use white and/or green for those conductors. So you would then only buy the white/green by the foot.

 

[cybrdyke]

9 wires times 50' each wire plus or minus. I will know better once I get the conduit in place.

One 500' roll of black wire and multiple small rolls of 1/2 colored tape. You can use the tape for lots of other stuff when you're done marking the wire with it.
CD

 

[wyliesdiesels]

One 500' roll of black wire and multiple small rolls of 1/2 colored tape. You can use the tape for lots of other stuff when you're done marking the wire with it.
CD

Code forbids phase taping wire smaller than #4.

 

[Bert_]

Code forbids phase taping wire smaller than #4.

To be more specific, you are not allowed to recolor a wire this size as a white or green. Nothing wrong with taping a black wire with red/ect.


I still think the cheapest way would be to buy some lengths from an electrician. He probably won't sell it for 9 cents but it should still be cheaper than 17 or 25 or whatever. That way you can get all the colors you want and not pay an arm and a leg for it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

To be more specific, you are not allowed to recolor a wire this size as a white or green. Nothing wrong with taping a black wire with red/ect.


I still think the cheapest way would be to buy some lengths from an electrician. He probably won't sell it for 9 cents but it should still be cheaper than 17 or 25 or whatever. That way you can get all the colors you want and not pay an arm and a leg for it.

Yup. I was in a hurry.

 

[cybrdyke]

Code forbids phase taping wire smaller than #4.

To be more specific, you are not allowed to recolor a wire this size as a white or green. Nothing wrong with taping a black wire with red/ect.

Yeah, I know.
But it sounds like he's installing an AC. Probably no inspection.
And he said he needs 9 different colors. So, to be compliant, a short piece of white, a short piece of red, a 500' roll of black and a bunch of 1/2 rolls of colored tape.
CD

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yeah, I know.
But it sounds like he's installing an AC. Probably no inspection.
And he said he needs 9 different colors. So, to be compliant, a short piece of white, a short piece of green, a 500' roll of black and a bunch of 1/2 rolls of colored tape.
CD

Fixed it for u.

 

[Norcal]

The big box stores sell 100 foot boutique rolls of wire. Not a cheap way to go but can be useful.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yeah, I know.
But it sounds like he's installing an AC. Probably no inspection.
And he said he needs 9 different colors. So, to be compliant, a short piece of white, a short piece of green, a 500' roll of black and a bunch of 1/2" rolls of colored tape.
CD

This would be my plan !

P.S. I have slowly been acquiring all the standard colors of tape. About half way there !

 

[cybrdyke]

Fixed it for u.

Roger that.

 

[yeldogt]

[/b]

Not if u know how and use spec grade outlets and switches...

And stranded wire under a lug is easy...

What kind do you like?

 

[mobiledynamics]

What kind do you like?

Any of the Leviton or Hubbell Com Spec or above (industrial, etc) will pass muster. Going to boil down to color....

I like the Lutrons matte - but it's crappy outlets. Luckily their design is a matte faceplate under a regular duplex outlet. I've gone as far as just swapping the guts but still achieving the matte color I wanted.

 

[nsula_country]

If you don't buy in 500 foot rolls you pay dearly buying by the foot, and .17 is not out of line by the foot. I have been paying .08 on 500 foot rolls.

Why stranded? It's a pain to terminate and wire nut together. Neccessary in high vibration environments but in a shop?

Wire is affordable right now. Buy 500' spools. HD is close to supply house prices. You will need some later, trust me on this. One day you will want to add something.

Stranded pulls easier.

Pre twist, easy to wire nut.

Spec grade devices OR stak-on forks. Either will work.

CT