I have a couple of code questions regarding wire.

[gatchel]

I found a couple of coils of wire at my parents house while cleaning out some of my old junk from years ago and ran into a few questions.

1. Can the old style, white, 12-2 and 12-3 still be used today and still be code compliant. I know the gauge is OK for 20A put the color is the concern.

2. Is BX cable still used or is it better for copper scrap? I don't need to use it but wanted to see if it's worth selling or not.

Thank you.

 

[mtne]

To the best of my awareness I don't thing there's any reason NOS 12/2 and 12/3 wouldn't be perfectly acceptable.

Spray paint the BX green and sell it for double...........

.... umm, inside joke ......

The BX is likely just good for scrap.............

 

[Norcal]

If it is 12 or 14 NM cable & not NM-B, it is scrap metal, as older NM cable fails 2008 NEC art 334.112 which requires 90 degree C insulation, older NM cable ( w/o the -B) is only 60 degree cable. If it is white 12/2 NM-B it's fine, there is no code requiring color coded NM cable.

 

[mtne]

If it is 12 or 14 NM cable & not NM-B, it is scrap metal, as older NM cable fails 2008 NEC art 334.112 which requires 90 degree C insulation, older NM cable ( w/o the -B) is only 60 degree cable. If it is white 12/2 NM-B it's fine, there is no code requiring color coded NM cable.

Good catch Norcal! Thanks!

 

[gatchel]

I'll have the double check the NM /NM-B, if it's good I'll use it.

Thank's guys!

 

[Alchymist]

If it is 12 or 14 NM cable & not NM-B, it is scrap metal, as older NM cable fails 2008 NEC art 334.112 which requires 90 degree C insulation, older NM cable ( w/o the -B) is only 60 degree cable. If it is white 12/2 NM-B it's fine, there is no code requiring color coded NM cable.

Interesting - just finished up rough-in om a large addition, homeowner supplying all materials, and all 12-2 was yellow. End of the day, used up the last of the last 250' roll,and needed about 9 feet for a switch run. HO scrounged up a length that was black, was 12-2 w/g NM-B, so used it. Inspector failed the inspection - "couldn't read the lettering - replace it". Did so, as it's so much easier than fighting it. Funny part was the run went to a fan/light, and I had forgotten to plug an unused Knockout hole in the junction box, which he missed completely, and right there was the lettering plain as day, visible from the floor!

 

[Zeke]

I recently used MC cable and really didn't know the difference between that and BX. Must be on the inside. Maybe BX didn't have a ground. You can't use flex cable as a ground.

 

[cderalow]

I recently used MC cable and really didn't know the difference between that and BX. Must be on the inside. Maybe BX didn't have a ground. You can't use flex cable as a ground.

correct. BX doesn't have a dedicated ground, or the paper sheathing