New old stock wire

[Brandon_oma#692]

I was out at my dad's house looking to see what he had four wire and found several boxes of New old stock 12-2 12-3 excetera. The sheathing on this is a round cable instead of flat and it's black. He also has 10 and 14 gauge. I'm not sure if it is round or flat or what color.

In total there's probably 300 ft of wire that's new. Is there any code or practical reason why this cannot be used?

 

[benjamintmiller]

It’s NM-B, which means it’s from 1984 or newer and has 90 deg. C wires, so it can be used with any modern light fixture. I can’t think of any reason you couldn’t use it, except that 300’ of wire costs about 50 bucks and cable staples hold flat cable better.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Use it, it will come in handy eventually. I just went through a reel of 14/3 and tore it down to use in conduit. Have a wack of red sheathed copper for the scrapper.

 

[Norcal]

If plain old NM cable it would be scrap since code requires 90 degree insulation now for non metallic sheathed cable, since it is NM-B, it's fine.

 

[Norcal]

Use it, it will come in handy eventually. I just went through a reel of 14/3 and tore it down to use in conduit. Have a wack of red sheathed copper for the scrapper.

Stripping it out for pulling it in conduit is not code compliant since the conductors are not marked so once stripped out, they are just scrap.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

It’s NM-B, which means it’s from 1984 or newer and has 90 deg. C wires, so it can be used with any modern light fixture. I can’t think of any reason you couldn’t use it, except that 300’ of wire costs about 50 bucks and cable staples hold flat cable better.

Where are buying that at? 50 foot of 12-3 locally is $50. 250 foot of 12-3 is $107 which is what I would be buying if I didn't use what I got from my Dad. I only need about 20 or 25 feet for what I am working on right now but I will need some more for the house later.

Thanks for your mention of the staples. I might just go get a new 250' roll of 12-3 for ease of use. it will be going in and out of a box with 3 switches in it. box fill calculates ok as long as I did it correctly. The flat wire seems more flexible too so it might be easier to work with in general.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Use it, it will come in handy eventually. I just went through a reel of 14/3 and tore it down to use in conduit. Have a wack of red sheathed copper for the scrapper.

That is NOT code compliant.

Where are buying that at? 50 foot of 12-3 locally is $50. 250 foot of 12-3 is $107 which is what I would be buying if I didn't use what I got from my Dad. I only need about 20 or 25 feet for what I am working on right now but I will need some more for the house later.

Thanks for your mention of the staples. I might just go get a new 250' roll of 12-3 for ease of use. it will be going in and out of a box with 3 switches in it. box fill calculates ok as long as I did it correctly. The flat wire seems more flexible too so it might be easier to work with in general.

The 3 conductor w/ grnd NM-B sold today is round not flat. You wont gain anything by buying new cable.

 

[mike93lx]

Where are buying that at? 50 foot of 12-3 locally is $50. 250 foot of 12-3 is $107 which is what I would be buying if I didn't use what I got from my Dad. I only need about 20 or 25 feet for what I am working on right now but I will need some more for the house later.

Thanks for your mention of the staples. I might just go get a new 250' roll of 12-3 for ease of use. it will be going in and out of a box with 3 switches in it. box fill calculates ok as long as I did it correctly. The flat wire seems more flexible too so it might be easier to work with in general.

Where are you located? I have a bunch of modern 12/3 that I don't need and would love to sell

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

That is NOT code compliant.



The 3 conductor w/ grnd NM-B sold today is round not flat. You wont gain anything by buying new cable.

Ok thanks.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Where are you located? I have a bunch of modern 12/3 that I don't need and would love to sell

Illinois

 

[SGKent]

I thought some jurisdictions required the gauge color changes to make it easier to know the gauge in order to pass an inspection.

 

[Norcal]

I thought some jurisdictions required the gauge color changes to make it easier to know the gauge in order to pass an inspection.

The colors were done by wire manufacturers not by codes or regulations. I have joked that it was done for the trailer (MH) manufacturers because the if the same crews that pulls the wire were laying sod the crew leader would be continually yelling “green side up, green side up”.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I thought some jurisdictions required the gauge color changes to make it easier to know the gauge in order to pass an inspection.

Nope.

The color codes on the jacket has nothing to do with code or inspection.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Awesome thanks guys. Sounds like all I have to loose is a lighter wallet as long as everything is NM-B not just NM and is in good condition.

 

[benjamintmiller]

The 3 conductor w/ grnd NM-B sold today is round not flat. You wont gain anything by buying new cable.

It must vary by manufacturer, because I have some that is indeed flat.

 

[sberry]

To make sure, 12/3 has 4 wires, 12/2 has 3 3 conductor may be round, 2 is flat. Seems the new 3 is flat too.

 

[Norcal]

It must vary by manufacturer, because I have some that is indeed flat.

UF cable is flat.

 

[sberry]

Yes, all I saw is flat I got some yellow 3 conductr and seems it is flat and last rolls of 14 3 cond were. I saw some black round 12 3 conductor on a job, not sure when it was installed but think it was nm b

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Ended up picking up 250 foot of 12-3 at Menards today. It is flat and way more flexible. The price difference between a 100 foot roll and a 250 foot was not that much.

 

[rburke65]

They get ya on the 25’, 50’, and 100’ rolls. Always buy the 250’ coils. Trust me.....you’ll eventually use it.

 

[Norcal]

They get ya on the 25’, 50’, and 100’ rolls. Always buy the 250’ coils. Trust me.....you’ll eventually use it.

The smaller rolls are what I call boutique rolls, high dollar for the convenience, just like the bundles of firewood at stop & rob's near camping areas.