[dtfluet4]

Has anyone come across 12 gauge wire but in a white sheath not yellow? This isn’t old work either. Thought the color codes were pretty much standard. I assumed it was 14 gauge but the sheath is stamped 12 awg 🏻

 

[surferdude2]

There is no color code for the sheath except what the manufacturers want to use for their own purpose of inventory identification.

Cable Sheath Color Code Info


SD2

 

[ront02769]

Overall color coding for Romex came into being around 2001.....and althogh it isn’t a legal standard it is the de facto standard.

 

[rjniles]

I still have 1/2 roll of 10/2 with white sheath. Totally compliant to use.

Sent from my RCT6A03W13E using Tapatalk

 

[Old Thomas]

I wired my house in the 1980s and most of the 12 gauge is white. I have some light blue, too.

 

[lenaitch]

We have red-sheathed 12/2 with red and black insulated conductors for 220v circuits which I think is unique to Canada. I don't know our Code implications for re-marking a white conductor if used as a hot leg.

 

[surferdude2]

In the US, a white colored conductor is allowed to be used for a live conductor when it's the 12/2 feed cable to a switch leg. I never see it re-identified... electricians are expected to know that the white wire on a 12/2 cable for a switch is the hot wire.

Personally, I always tag it with some method to set it apart, often just a hash/gash made with my wire stripper (covered by the wire nut). It's mostly out of habit and for consideration to the next man opening the boxes.

It helped when someone different than the rough-in puller, was making up the boxes. Any man who wired a switch across the line was made "sport of the day" and expected to treat the rest of the crew to free refreshments.

SD2

 

[lenaitch]

In the US, a white colored conductor is allowed to be used for a live conductor when it's the 12/2 feed cable to a switch leg. I never see it re-identified... electricians are expected to know that the white wire on a 12/2 cable for a switch is the hot wire.

Personally, I always tag it with some method to set it apart, often just a hash/gash made with my wire stripper (covered by the wire nut). It's mostly out of habit and for consideration to the next man opening the boxes.

It helped when someone different than the rough-in puller, was making up the boxes. Any man who wired a switch across the line was made "sport of the day" and expected to treat the rest of the crew to free refreshments.

SD2

Yup. Same as here. Should have worded it as 'unswitched hot'.

 

[joed]

Normal black and white conductor cable can also be used for 240 volt loads. We do have a cable with black and red available but it is not required to be used.

 

[Drachenfire]

Little off topic but last weekend I replaced the 2-ft, 2-tube florescent lights in my garage with 4-ft, 4 strip LEDs.

Because of the change in orientation, I had to run a new 12/2 wire between the 2 lights.

To strip the ends, I use my Klein Tools' Katapult stripper and cutter.

Oddly when I tried to use the 12-gauge setting, it did not go all the way through the insulation and therefore did not strip. I had to use the 14-gauge setting. I checked the wire for nicks after stripping it and found none. It was rather odd.

 

[surferdude2]

Don't laugh when you see the high tech strippers that took me all the way to the rocking chair. Once you get the feel of them, you'll not want anything bigger... size matters, especially when it's going in a tool pouch.

I can't believe Klein got the wrong size cutters in that stripper... I'd take it back and trade it for a Miller 100 (no spring model). :smile:

 

[RegeSullivan]

Some strippers are marked for "solid" and "stranded". You need to look closely as often the gage is indicated by a single number (#12 for example) and the correct notch is indicated by a fine line or arrow. I've always found Klein to be pretty good quality for the price. It's hard to imagine they are marked incorrectly or out of spec.

 

[Drachenfire]

Don't laugh when you see the high tech strippers that took me all the way to the rocking chair. Once you get the feel of them, you'll not want anything bigger... size matters, especially when it's going in a tool pouch.

I can't believe Klein got the wrong size cutters in that stripper... I'd take it back and trade it for a Miller 100 (no spring model). :smile:

When I worked telco, 99% of my wire work was done with a pair of Klein 6-inch side cutters.

Whether I was stripping drop cable or station wire, I became skilled to the point I could do so without nicking the copper at all.

Some strippers are marked for "solid" and "stranded". You need to look closely as often the gage is indicated by a single number (#12 for example) and the correct notch is indicated by a fine line or arrow. I've always found Klein to be pretty good quality for the price. It's hard to imagine they are marked incorrectly or out of spec.

I agree. The Klein Katapult I have is advertised as "Cuts and strips 8-20 AWG solid and 10-22 AWG stranded wire. When I have some time, I may have get some different kinds of wire and experiment with it.