14/2 NM wire problems

tpagel

Wiring a sub panel today. My first. The 12/2 NM was easy. Had the ripping tool to slice the yellow sheath and had no problems. But that tool mangled the 14/2 wire. I guess each wire in it is encased in the grey vinyl? How are you supposed to get the wires free? Do you have to slice each one individually with an exacto knife? I think I ruined a whole homerun because of this problem. Tips?

Speedy Petey

Grey vinyl? I can only assume this is UF cable and not NM-B.

UF can be very difficult to strip. Carefully slice ONLY the grey sheathing and pull back each conductor.

tpagel

Oh. Is there a yellow vinyl kind? I asked the clerk at the big box store for 14/2 wire, and the grey stuff is what he gave me. He give me the wrong kind for an interior renovation? My remodel is still bare studs and no gyp bd, and I only have one lighting circuit, so I suppose I could rip it out and use something else if need be.

a7ecorsair

UF (Underground Feed) rated cable is very hard to work with especially if it is your first time. If you don't need UF, all your wiring is inside, go get a roll of 14-2 NM. How did you end up with 14-2 UF?

tpagel

Just checked the wire. Yup. They gave me UF. My bad, though, for not knowing what I needed beforehand, I guess. Arghhhhhhh.

Missouri Bound

Ask for romex next time....if there is a next time. As far as the UF goes, yes it definately is a pain in the a** to strip.

mpoulton

14-2 NM cable is white rather than yellow. There's an informal and unofficial color code for NM cable: #14 is white, #12 yellow, #10 orange, and larger is black.

UF will work for your installation and would be legal, but it's pointless and very hard to handle. Save that for an outdoor project someday and get some NM cable!

AllanJ

If you are running a dedicated circuit (normally a home run), splicing in a junction box is still permitted, no?

Of course, if the UF cost you somewhat more then you might want to take it off and save it for an outdoor installation requiring UF and run interior Romex in its place.

__________________
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tpagel

Thanks for all your replies. I got all the grey stuff switched out to the white. Wow! What a difference to work with. Now the inspector won't think I am an idiot. ;-)