Using new old stock MC cable

[jives]

I'm prepping to wire in my garage ceiling lights, ranging 16-20' in the air in an open truss vaulted ceiling. I'll need about 150' of wire, and have decided to go with 12/2 MC cable. I found a guy on FBM selling an "unused" roll of 250' for about half the price of new. It is not in plastic packaging with any identifying labels and looks dirty. Is it worth the risk?

Also, MC cable is about the same price of standard NM-B Romex. What gives?

 

[sparky 1971]

I would use it. I have partial rolls of wire and cable that I have been using for 10 years. I have a roll of white jacketed 12/2 romex on my truck right now that was given to me by a customer a couple of weeks ago. The jacket was changed to yellow at least 20 years ago.

As far as the pricing, I was told that there is a shortage of something that goes into the jacket. It's supposedly the same shortage that has sent pvc prices through the roof. I don't know how true that is, but seems feasible.

EDIT: As Terry stated below, make sure it is MC. I didn't/wouldn't even think of BX until I wasted my time going to get it and had it in hand.

 

[Terry D]

Make sure it is MC cable and not AC/ BX. The MC with have a actual green conductor in it

 

[Norcal]

I would use it. I have partial rolls of wire and cable that I have been using for 10 years. I have a roll of white jacketed 12/2 romex on my truck right now that was given to me by a customer a couple of weeks ago. The jacket was changed to yellow at least 20 years ago.

As far as the pricing, I was told that there is a shortage of something that goes into the jacket. It's supposedly the same shortage that has sent pvc prices through the roof. I don't know how true that is, but seems feasible.

EDIT: As Terry stated below, make sure it is MC. I didn't/wouldn't even think of BX until I wasted my time going to get it and had it in hand.

White sheathed 12/2 NM is what I call "bootleg wire" for when you want it to look older then it really is, BTW, if marked "NM", & not NM-B, it is scrap metal, since the NEC requires NM cable to have 90° insulation, & NM cable not marked NM-B has 60° insulation.

 

[nadogail]

If it is what you think itis, it should probably be just fine for the purpose. I have not known copper to deteriorate in storage, but I would check the insulation and jacket.

 

[Syberia]

It better not deteriorate in storage, as this would mean it will also deteriorate in use. After all, it's really just being "stored" inside an attic or wall...

 

[nadogail]

It better not deteriorate in storage, as this would mean it will also deteriorate in use. After all, it's really just being "stored" inside an attic or wall...

I agree; I was thinking about paper insulation.

 

[walrus]

I'm prepping to wire in my garage ceiling lights, ranging 16-20' in the air in an open truss vaulted ceiling. I'll need about 150' of wire, and have decided to go with 12/2 MC cable. I found a guy on FBM selling an "unused" roll of 250' for about half the price of new. It is not in plastic packaging with any identifying labels and looks dirty. Is it worth the risk?

Also, MC cable is about the same price of standard NM-B Romex. What gives?

Plastic is driving wire prices up not copper, hence MC and romex nearly the same in price

 

[jives]

Good to know. . .but after seeing the ease of using 12/2 MC whips with connectors already on, I'm thinking that is a good plan for an MC-using newbie.

 

[Norcal]

Good to know. . .but after seeing the ease of using 12/2 MC whips with connectors already on, I'm thinking that is a good plan for an MC-using newbie.

Just don’t use them to supply chain mounted fixtures unless they have stranded conductors.