[Mark Harvey]

I am used to the white covering but also see blue, red and yellow 14/2 wire. (Just for basic wiring). Are al used the same way or is there a specific reason for the different blue - red - or yellow? I know 12/2 usually comes in yellow, are there other colours for this as well?

 

[chandler48]

Must be a Canuck thing. Are you speaking of Romex style cable sheathing? Do you have reference or link(s) to this so we can see it too?

 

[joed]

There is no colour requirements in the code for cable jackets but there are some industry commonly used colours.

Yellow never heard of that one for #14. Usually #12.
Red = heatex cable for 240 volt. The wires inside are red and black. No white wire.
blue = commonly used to indicate AFCI circuit.

 

[Mark Harvey]

Yes to both comments. Alberta is home. And the sheathing is Romex. I see it at Home Depot and other home improvement stores. Just wondering if it can be used to distinguish one run from another.

 

[CodeMatters]

White is most common.
When blue was introduced it was intended that it be used for AFCI circuits
but this was not required by code and didn't catch on.
Red means the two conductors are red and black (not white and black) and
is intended for use on 240V circuits ie baseboards and water heaters.
Yellow---haven't seen that---poorly dyed white cable---perhaps.

EDIT: Beat by quick draw @joed -)

 

[ront02769]

Wher I am it is all white is 14 and white is 12 gauge. Also most 10 gauge is orange and big stuf like stove wire is black.

 

[surferdude2]

In the U.S. the sheath colors on NM cable are usually like below unless it's old stock (mostly all white) or some rebel company. It hasn't been adopted by the NFPA but is pretty handy for identifying conductor size from a distance. To be absolutely sure, you should always check the writing on the sheath.

14 AWG � White
12 AWG � Yellow
10 AWG � Orange
8 AWG � Black
6 AWG � Black

 

[ront02769]

Wher I am it is all white is 14 and white is 12 gauge. Also most 10 gauge is orange and big stuf like stove wire is black.

Yeah, try again 14 = white 12 = yellow 10 = orange stove wire etc = black

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

I've said it many times in the past. Current does not know the color of the insulation. Purchase the proper size wire for the amperage of the circuit and the protective jacket for the location of the conductors.

 

[ront02769]

Correct. But while current doesn’t know But where I am the electrical inspector is wanting to see at least yellow jacket on every 15 or 20 amp circuit...Which is 12 gauge.but they will clearly settle for white 14# on 1tamp and yellow 12 on 20 amp...and they have zero interest in looking at the numbers on the wire.

 

[joed]

Inspector has no code to force you to use yellow cable. If you have white #12 it will pass code.

 

[Old Thomas]

Modern stuff I see is like post 7 said. I have older wire in 12 and 14 gauges that is white, yellow, blue and tan.

 

[dmxtothemax]

In Australia red colored sheathing on cables indicates it is fire alarm wiring !
I have seen Yellow on ocassions but I'am not sure what they are used for.
Possibly computor back up systems ,ups ?

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

I never use romex, and I never use #14. I always use either BX(now MC) #12, or #10, or THHN in conduit. Look at the wire itself, you should be able to know the size by looking at it. I also never use any junction boxes, especially a box located in a place I do not want to try and access again. I use only the device box in the living/working area to splice wires.

 

[jeffnc]

For modern Romex in the US, white is 14, yellow is 12, orange is 10. No codes that I'm aware of though. Never saw blue.

 

[jeffnc]

Correct. But while current doesn’t know But where I am the electrical inspector is wanting to see at least yellow jacket on every 15 or 20 amp circuit...Which is 12 gauge.but they will clearly settle for white 14# on 1tamp and yellow 12 on 20 amp...and they have zero interest in looking at the numbers on the wire.

Sounds awful, possibly even illegal.

 

[Kombi]

I am used to the white covering but also see blue, red and yellow 14/2 wire. (Just for basic wiring). Are al used the same way or is there a specific reason for the different blue - red - or yellow? I know 12/2 usually comes in yellow, are there other colours for this as well?

Sure you’ve got your answer - but from reading the posts it looks like a bunch of opinions. I had the same question, so 14/2 wire with different jackets, this may be specific to Canada , but these are all 14/2 white general wiring, Red baseboard heaters, blue gfci for bedrooms. Not seen yellow in store, but southwire sells a 14/2 with yellow jacket

 

[betelgeuse]

I always use either BX(now MC)

BX cable is now called AC cable. MC cable has an insulated ground wire and a mylar outer wrap. AC doesn't have the wire and has a paper wrap like Romex.

 

[joe-nwt]

Canadian "romex" does not have a paper wrap.