Using Romex® Cable for Electrical Wiring in Your Home

Romex is a brand name used for a sheathed cable that is non metallic. Using Romex® cable in your home is your best option for wiring method because it’s so easy to install. The only materials needed for its installation are few handy tools such as hammers, wood chisels and cable cutters; unlike in other wiring methods that involves conduit, the electrician is required to use expensive, bending, cutting and threading tools.

The Romex® NM-B cable is comprised of insulated wires that are individually covered by a plastic vinyl coating. Typically, Romex® is created with a conductor or bare copper wire to be used on ground for earth safety. The wire used on ground for earth safety carries the errant voltages and return them to the panel box. The errant voltages usually take place when a certain hot wire collides with the baseboard heater’s metal frame.

The Romex® cable must be installed in areas which are not receptive to wet environments or any mechanical damage. The typical installation areas of the cable are alongside floor, ceiling joints and inside the wall cavities. The cable must also be supported to avoid sagging. This can be done through installing a plastic or metal cable in every 8 feet.

If you want to start using Romex® cable in your home, here are some helpful tips you need to keep in mind:

• Turn off all the cables which are inside the electrical box. The box can be either metal or of plastic construction.
• There are cable connectors attached inside the box. Use them to get the cable secured inside the electrical box.
• Use an approved metal cover to cover the electrical boxes. You can also use the device cover that comes with receptacle cover plates and finished switch plates.
• In order to reveal the insulated wires, use a pocketknife and remove six inches outer part of the insulation.
• Put wire strippers at the end of each wire. Reveal at least one inch of the copper and twist the wires together. This must be done in order to get the connection for that particular circuit.
• Cover every bare copper by using a single wire nut.
• All Romex® cables that are exposed to mechanical damage and wet environments must be placed inside the conduit.
• For underground installations, the required type of cable to use must come with a rated specialized underground Romex® or any type of NM cable. These cables, which are impervious to water infiltration, are also called the UF (underground feeder) type of cable and they always come in thicker exterior.

The national electric code has approved using Romex® cable in your home. In article 334.10, it was stated that the type NM wire can be run for both concealed and exposed work in usually dry locations. However, you must keep in mind that Romex® can’t be used on any kind of permanently installed extension cords. This is because it can cause an electrical shock hazard when the solid wire breaks inside the plugs.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Pertinent Details on Locating Romex Cable with Ground According to the National Electric Code

Even without the help of a licensed electrician, we ask ourselves if we can work on some electrical wiring installations on our own. However, the National Electric Code determines specific instances on how you must use every electrical wiring. Due to this, if you are not highly knowledgeable and completely skilled in this electrical wiring endeavor such as installing Romex® cable with ground, you must first familiarize with the National Electric Code and seek professional assistance.

A certain portion of the National electric Code specifically mentions about installing wires on either wet or dry locations. The National Electric Code differentiates electrical wirings on the basis of the planned location of such electrical wiring.

Article 310.8 (A) and (B) specifies the electrical conductors and cables that are allowed only in dry locations. Included are these types of electrical cables and well-insulated conductors: ZW, Z, XHHW-2, XHHW, XHH, TW, THWN-2, THHN, THW-2, THW, THHN, SA, RHW-2, RHW, RHH, PFA, MTW, FEPB, and FEP. These are the only types of insulated cables and conductors recommended and allowed by the governed as specified in this article and sections of the National Electric Code.

On the other hand, the National Electric Code also specifies electrical conductors and cables that are recommended and allowed for installation in wet locations. These types of electrical cables and well-insulated conductors are: ZW, XHHW-2, XHHW, THWN-2, THWN, THHW, THW-2, THW, TW, RHW-2, RHW, and MTW. Note that there are some types of these electrical cables and conductors that can be used in either wet or dry locations. It is the licensed electrician who can give a precise selection on which electrical wiring to use. Note that Romex® cable with ground has its own specifications and technical details to serve as your basis in determining whether it can be allowed for a wet or dry location for installation.

Thus, another part of this discussion is to help you determine the right electrical wire to use. Identify the circuit type you are planning to install. It is either a 110-volt or a 220-volt circuit. It may also either be a dedicated or undedicated circuit. A dedicated circuit can power only one item while an undedicated circuit can power several items that are plugged in. A 110-volt circuit is good for lighting equipment, TV, radio, and washing machine. The 220-volt circuit is suitable for electric wash dryers, refrigerators, and other power-heavy appliances.

You may also need to identify the amperage level of the circuit you plan to install. To be able to do this, you must verify with the product manufacturer or company reseller whether the amperage is suitable enough. Knowing the circuit type and amperage level will help you identify the correct electrical wire to use. There are standard charts that provide detailed and correct information about these; they are either available online or can be consulted with a local licensed electrician. You may also check other materials and details about the Romex® cable with ground and find out its suitability for indoor use and where to install it.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Most Favored Cable in the Household: NM-B Cable

Cables have already been popularly used in residential and industrial applications since the early 1900s. It all began with the use of conductor that is wrapped with flexible sheath that is made of metal. Such cables were used to take the place of the wiring referred to as the open knob-and-tube. 

Through the years, we have seen more types of cables being developed for specific purposes. There are cables meant for indoor setups, while there are those which are for more heavy-duty purposes. Cables come in different sizes and colors, not to mention that they are temperature-specific too.  Today, one of the most widely-used cables indoors is the NM-B Cable.

The most commonly encountered cable in any residential setup is the NM-B Cable. Taking a closer look at the cable’s name, “NM” is just an abbreviation of non-metallic. This refers to the non-metallic covering of the cable that is usually made of PVC. The heat rating of the cable is represented by “B” which means that it can withstand temperatures up to 194 degrees Fahrenheit without melting, breaking, overheating, or disintegrating. It is important to take note of the working temperature of any cable so as to avoid fire in the place wherein the cable is installed.

This kind of cable has specific applications only. It is recommended to use it in unexposed areas like underneath the floor, inside the walls, or behind the ceilings. Never attempt to use it in areas that are open because it will bring about possibilities of harm and malfunction. Therefore, it cannot be seen protruding in any case. Also, such cables cannot be used outdoors because of the possibility of acquiring moisture. This cable should be kept away from moisture if optimal function is desired. Moisture can cause the metal inside the flexible insulators to be corroded; therefore, enough precaution should be taken against water.

As mentioned earlier, cables are temperature specific. They can only endure a certain range of temperatures. In the case of Romex® NM-B Cable, the upper limit value for temperature that it can withstand is 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher than 194 degrees Fahrenheit, the insulation can melt and short circuit can result. The easiest solution for such problems is that during installation; make sure that the cable layout is well planned. They should not be located anywhere near the sources of heat like ducts for heating or even the pipes for heating of water. In addition, to avoid melting of the insulation by virtue of chemical reaction, covering of the cable with plaster, concrete, or cement is highly discouraged. Burying the cable underground is not an option as well because it only brings the possibility of exposing the wire to moisture.

This cable is usually seen in common wirings in the residential setup: receptacles, small appliances, lighting, as well as receptacles. This can also be used for larger appliances: clothes dryer, alternating current unit, central alternating current unit, electric range, and electric furnace. Due to it versatility and reliability in indoor applications, its popularity in households among cables is not yet paralleled.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Romex 14 2 Cable – Your Home Wiring Needs

Romex® (rome-eks) has become the standard brand name in sheathed, insulated wires. Electrical systems in homes and businesses are mostly wired using Romex®. It is made up of two or more insulated wires with a flexible plastic sheath. Romex® cable can be run through walls, attics, under floors and others.

Romex® wire comes in many different sizes. Romex® 14/2 Cable is used as branch circuits for switches, outlets and other loads in residential wiring. It can also be used in concealed or exposed work in normal dry locations. You may run it in air voids of masonry block or in tile walls but should not be subjected to too much moisture. This cable is not for direct burial on the ground.

Romex® cable is easier to run through holes in studs due to its flexible sheath compared to metallic sheath and it is also cheaper. That is why it is labeled NMC which means non-metallic cable. NM is the sheathing used to distinguish it from metallic (BX or AC) sheathed cable. A rating of 14/2 pertains to the wire gauge and how many wires are inside the cable. 14 is the wire gauge and 2 means there are 2 wires in the cable. The lower the gauge is, the larger is the wire.

Romex® 14/2 Cable comes in white color jacket only because it falls under the #14 wire range. Other gauge sizes come in different jacket colors. This type of Romex® cable is an indoor residential electrical wire with solid bare copper strands. It weighs 57 lbs per 1000 feet and has 15 amps. It can resists temperatures up to 90°C and a maximum of 600 volts.

If you are thinking of using Romex® wires for your household wiring system, you need to make sure that you know the correct size to be used. The length and amount of amps you want are important to know the correct awg size. When you talk to your electrician or contractor, this information is needed so they can give you accurate information of what type of cable you should use. Take note that this cable is for indoor use only. If you need to run a cable outdoors, then you need a different type of cable built for outdoor use.

For a cable that pulls faster and strips easier, Romex® 14/2 Cable has these qualities. It is also tear resistant and has reduced burn-thru. It comes in 2 and 3 conductors and has awg sizes of 14, 12 and 10. Wesbell Electronics offer larger Romex cables by the foot in awg of 8, 6, 4 and 2. Since you need specific lengths and does not want to put your excess to waste, Wesbell Electronics allows purchasing of larger Romex® wires and UFB cables in any length that you desire.

For any specific requirements that you need for your cables and wires, please call Wesbell Electronics customer service and they will be glad to answer your inquiries and assist you in your wiring needs.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Copper Electrical Cable Differences

Copper electrical cable is very expensive, but the real differences in price actually comes down to the insulation type more than the copper. Copper is the conductor of electricity in all copper electrical cables and the price of copper changes everyday. However, Romex 6/3® has the same amount of copper as UFB 6/3, so why is the price different?

A 6 awg wire is a 6 awg wire whether it’s in a Romex NMB® jacket or a tough underground PVC jacket. That means each 6 awg wire would be the same price if they were both stripped of all insulation. A UFB underground insulation was manufactured to be used without conduit. So the jacket needed extra protection in order to last as long as an electrical cable in conduit.

In order of the amount of protection Romex® comes first, MC cable second and UFB cable third for electrical cables. Even though each of these cables have different levels of protection they all still have THHN THWN as the wire conductor insulation, so what changes the fact that some have more restrictions?

Romex® cable has a bare copper uninsulated ground wire, but lacks a strong enough jacket to protect it outdoors or in conduit. Moisture, gas, solvents and other fluids can puncture the jacket and hit the bare ground wire leaving it only available for wiring indoors.

MC cable is manufactured with all THHN wires and a THHN insulated green ground wire. That allows MC electrical cables to be used outdoors and in conduit because it resists all water, moisture oils and gases without an uninsulated ground wire in the way.

UFB cable is manufactured as an underground electrical cable which is also known as direct burial in the wire and cable industry. It still has an uninsulateed ground wire but the PVC jacket is engineered tough enough to protect all of the wires even when used directly underground.

In order to find the cheapest cable possible you’ll want to first speak to an electrician to let you know the awg size of the cable you need. This will prevent you from getting a size too big and paying more money than you need to. The second thing you want to do is make sure you’re not getting too much insulation that you may not need. Getting UFB cable when you’re using conduit anyways is a waste of money. You should get MC cable which is cheaper and manufactured for use in conduit.

We offer exact cut lengths on all of our electrical cables and THHN wire because in the contractors, engineers and installers like to have the exact length they need to avoid waste of small lengths at the end of each spool. We also offer free shipping on orders over $250 so that you don’t have to negociate deals with trucking companies to get spool of wire or cable.

Please call us if you need any type of wire, cable or heat shrink tubing as we’ve been a stocking distributor for over 25 years.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Romex and UFB Electrical Wire Pricing Lowered!

Since copper is a daily fluctuating commodity we must keep up to date on our copper wire and cable pricing. Over the last month alone copper rose above $4.20 per pound, came back down to $3.20 per pound and has settled in the last few days around $3.60 per pound.

When buying and selling copper electrical wire such as Romex® and UFB underground cable we have to watch the pricing very carefully because the amount of copper in each conductor can drastically change the price. When copper goes down we have to lower our pricing in order to compete with other wire and cable distributors and when pricing goes up we have to increase our pricing so that we don’t lose money on orders.

With that being said, over the last few days WesBell has lowered all pricing on copper wire and cable in order to show our customers we’re honest and not trying to make “extra money” while copper is decreasing. We’ve heard many stories from our customers that their electrical wire vendor increased pricing when copper was high but didn’t decrease pricing when copper lowered.

We like to keep our customers informed of when copper is increasing and decreasing by showing them on our website. We keep the last 3 years worth of copper pricing online so that when you buy something that you haven’t bought in over a year you can see exactly why there was a price increase or decrease.

The last thing we want to hear is that our pricing is 10% higher than our competitor because we work hard to please our customers in every way and a higher price can give a potential customer a bad impression of our entire company. We stay on top of copper, stay current on pricing, offer free shipping on orders over $250, ship from the tax free state of NH, offer exact cut lengths and stand by our on time delivery as one of our top 3 ISO9001 quality objectives.

As an ISO9001 company we analyze, and document, everything that goes wrong, discuss it, and implement a new procedure to be sure that it can’t happen again. Being an ISO certified company is so much more than “extra paperwork”. It forces companies to do the right thing, take the right steps forward and to, not only look for new customers, but to take a step back and be sure you’re pleasing your current customers even more.

People talk about money multiple times a day so we know how important our wire and cable pricing is to our customers. We look at other websites pricing before uploading ours so that we know we’re competitive. If we’re not please let us know!

Please call if you have and questions or comments about our website.

WesBell Electronics, Inc
(800) 334-8400

Electrical and Electronic Wire Products Navigation

We decided to change the navigation on our website to better group each type of electrical and electronic wire by keyword for our customers and visitors. We know it will help our customers find what they’re looking for much faster based on how they search for wire and cable.

Before anyone gets to our wire and cable distribution website they must first type a phrase into the search engine. Once the searcher visits our website we can see the phrase that was entered into the search engine, which we then analyze, and alter our website accordingly.

If we get 100 visits based on the term “electrical wire” being typed in then we need to make sure they land on a page with multiple electrical wire items available so that they find what they need as quick as possible. We analyzed each landing page of our website so that we could offer all the products that our visitors are looking for.

We also reworked the side bar product listings because we’ve been adding more products to our website and need to organize it better. Each product is listed based on its keyword rather than our part number to allow our visitors to easily find what they need.

We’ve also added more pictures so that it reassures our customers that they’re buying the correct product online. Sometimes it can be hard to realize you’re buying the right type of electrical wire online because all you can see is the vender part number and about a million different products to choose from.

When you’re on WesBell’s website you’ll find that every page is unique and specific to one item only. You’ll be able to see all of the spcifications, approvals and guage sizes of that type of wire or cable. Please call when you have any questions because we openly give out our phone number instead of hiding it in one of the back pages.

Electrical wire is the biggest product listing on our website including Romex®, UFB, SER, SEU, THHN and MC wire and cable. Each type of electrical wire has similar characteristics and most commonly used in the electrical field carrying current from your electrical panel to all of the lights, outlets and appliances in your home. Bigger awg sizes of electrical wire are used to carry current from the street to your electrical box, which is then distributed throughout your home with smaller types of wire and cable.

Electronic wire and cable includes hook up wire, high temperature wire, multiconductor cables, fire alarm cable, shielded and unshielded cables. Electronic cables are used mostly with indoor electronics such as stereos and appliances. When you take off the back panel of anything electronic you’ll see wires harnesses and cables that need to each have specifications to meet for that application.

Some electronic cables can be basic PVC / PVC cables, some need higher voltage, some need a shield, some need higher temperature and some need to be more flexible than others in order to be approved for that application. These are the types of keywords we like to list our products under because our customers don’t know our part numbers or the manufacturers part numbers. All they know is that they want a “high temperature cable with 3 conductors and a shield” so we list our products accordingly.

Take a walk through our website to see the difference because you’ll find it’s much easier to use than other wire and cable websites that list their products by their own part number. Call us if you have any questions so that we can help make sure you have the best type of wire or cable for your application at the cheapest price possible.

WesBell Electronics Inc
(800) 334-8400

Why Romex© Can’t be Used Outdoors

Romex© is a type or electrical wire used indoors only for a few reasons. We get this question a lot since it has THHN THWN wires inside it that are allowed to be used outdoors.

Yes, THHN THWN wire can be used outdoors but not directly underground. Romex©, however has a bare copper ground wire inside the cable that is NOT fully protected by the PVC jacket covering all of the conductors. So when Romex© wire is used outdoors and gets wet with water, gas, oil or any type of solvent it could penetrate the jacket and ruin the connection by getting in contact with the bare copper ground wire.

What should you use instead?

MC cable can be used indoors and outdoors because the ground wire is an insulated THHN THWN wire as well. The common use for MC cable is indoors because it can be used without conduit for a much easier installation. However, even if the metal clad jacket doesn’t fully protect the THHN THWN wires they already have the approvals alone to withstand outdoor environments. Copper and Aluminum MC cable can also be used in conduit.

Why not just run THHN THWN wires individually?

You can. Depending on the current copper prices we’ll sometimes push our customers in that direction because the cost of all 4 electrical wires are cheaper than the cable. However, sometimes the cable is cheaper as well. There’s also the added labor involved in pushing each individual wire through conduit or tying all four together to push them through as a group.

We have a highly trained staff here at WesBell Electronics and are here to help you. We’ll give you the cheaper option before you ask and help you find the correct cable by the installation it’s going in. If you have questions please ask and we’ll gladly help you through the process and explain what we’re saying to help you understand.

Toll Free – (800) 334-8400

Information and Facts on Power Cable

Power cable comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can look complicated to the layman. These cables can be single-conductor, multi-conductor, as well as industrial strength or for personal use. Each type of power cable has its own advantages, which make them suitable for certain types of applications.

A power cable is categorized in three classes, 1) high voltage (for applications requiring load greater than 40,000V), 2) medium voltage (for applications requiring load between 6000V and 36,000V) and 3) low voltage (for applications requiring load below 1000V). These cables are used for feeders and other heavy machinery, along with branch circuits in electrical utility, commercial and industrial applications.

Single-conductor power cable is used in various applications such as stage lighting, locomotives, DLO and for welding purposes. Each single-conductor cable, depending upon its use, has a different rating for amps, voltage, flexibility and insulation, each having a different price-level.  

There are many multi-conductor cables; extensions cords, Type G-GC, Type W, SOOW and portable cords, each encased a rubber jacket for insulation. These cables are safe and flexible and when additional flexibility is required, there is a multi-conductor cable available for this need. The SOOW multi-conductor cable is similar to the extension cord (before the plugs are attached) and is generally used to supply power generators and tools in industries.

The least-expensive power cable of this group is the welding cable. Welding cable has a rubber jacket and flexible copper fibers and is rated to 600V. DLO cable also has the rubber jacket, is rated to 2000V and has tinned copper fibers. The DLO can carry more power and therefore has a higher corresponding price.

Remember, when installing power cable, it is recommended that you consult with your electrician. And when it is time to purchase your cable, some helpful hints include knowing the operating temperature, amperage, voltage, outer diameter (cable diameter + insulation jacket). Please call WesBell at 800-334-8400 for all your cable needs.

Installing THHN cable in cold weather

When the weather is cold, you can have problems not just with your heating bills and skin, but also with your cables. For example, the THHN cable is easily vulnerable to deterioration due to cold weather.

THHN cable is Thermoplastic, High-Heat Resistance, Nylon-Coated, therefore the name- THHN. Though it is versatile cable and does not fall under any specific application category, it is mostly used under Hook-up wire class.

Strengths

THHN cable comes in a variety of strengths. And since it is made from thermoplastic material, it is easy to heat and cool this wire many times to change its shape. But there is a limit to the number of times this wire can stand heating and cooling. It has its lower and higher temperature limits and if the temperature changes cross this range, this wire can become unstable. Temperature range depends upon manufacturers.

When the THHN cable comes with ‘High Heat’ rating, it means that this wire can be used in high temperature scenarios. These wires come with various specifications, which determine the specific applications where these can be used. For example, “Nylon coated” means that a certain thermoplastic material is used in this wire.

Coming to installation of the THHN cable in the cold weather, there are some simple guidelines that you should follow. Keep this cable indoors, and not in the outdoor harsh environment. Generally, a temperature of 65°F works well.

If keeping the cable indoors is not possible, bring it inside for at least 24 hours, before you install it.

If the outside temperature is below 14°F, then do not install the THHN cable.

While installing the cable, take care that it is not dropped on the floor, as these impacts can cause cracks in the stiff cable material.

Make sure you do not bend the cable too much, because it can cause the cold and stiff cable to break.

Once you have installed it, this cable will work properly in environments with temperature higher than 14°F.