Expanded wiring tips....why not 12/3?

[muddy]

Just read through the post titled wiring tips and 12/2 was mentioned but no one brought up 12/3....why not? Are none of you using metal receptacle boxes? Thanks for any in depth............. Keith

 

[Cebby]

12/2 contains a black, white and bare conductor. Also referred to as 12/2 with ground. The bare wire goes to the box as does a ground wire from the receptacle also.

12/3 contains a black, white, red and bare conductor. This is usually used for 3 way switches (typ stairway, lights switched from two locations)

 

[ranger_dood]

Cebby has it nailed. 12-2 is typically sold w/ ground. There's no need for 12-3, unless you're running 220 or a 3 way switch. (Or want to have one "always on" and one switched hot line)

 

[muddy]

Thanks

Yeah,
Now, I remember........12/2 with ground.......thanks for the reply.........so how many of you utilize metal receptacle boxes versus plastic? Keith

 

[Cebby]

Mine are metal - my garage is concrete block though. I ran my wiring in EMT below the ceiling joist line also.

 

[ranger_dood]

i run metal boxes, myself. Nothing wrong with that, just make sure you use the ground...