Home Wiring Cable Types

Electrical code updates for nmb type cable.

Home wiring cable types. When wiring a house there are many types wire to choose from some copper others aluminum some rated for outdoors others indoors. Wiring is subject to safety standards for design and installation. Check with your local building inspector before you start any electrical wiring and cable project and be sure to obtain required permits. There are a number of different types of wiring and cable found throughout a home as well as around it.

Rubber insulated two core multi strand covered with an outer lead sheath. Type mc armored cable is sheathed in spiral metal but because of its expense it is not commonly used for interior applications. The various types of cable are also designated by how many conductors they contain and their size. The standard types of home electrical cables keith a standard for identifying which wire size or gauge of electrical cable that is used for house wiring has been adopted for the romex type nmb cable.

Often called romex after one popular brand name nm cable is a type of circuit wiring designed for interior use in dry locations. In homes built after the mid 1960s the wiring is relatively standard. Almost all of the wiring in outlets and light fixtures a modern home is nm cable. Types of cables that may be found in older premises.

The currents and wattages shown are for the cables in free air installations the cables should be derated if cables are run together or in such a way that the thermal rise of the cable is not free to dissipate. For outdoor projects or when running wiring underground you must use direct burial cable which can be installed underground with or without conduit depending on local building code rules. Standard electrical cable is designed to be run indoors where it stays dry and is protected by wall ceiling or floor structures. Most nm cables have a flattened tubular shape and run invisibly through the walls and floor cavities of your home.

Selecting the right cable for home electrical wiring. Wire types and sizing. Types of electrical wire in a home. Electrical wiring is an electrical installation of cabling and associated devices such as switches distribution boards sockets and light fittings in a structure.

If there is any of this very old wiring still. For example a cable identified as 14 2 with ground has one neutral and one hot wire as well as a grounding wire. Allowable wire and cable types and sizes are specified according to the circuit operating voltage and electric current capability with further restrictions on the.