I have a lot of older 12-2 NM-B cable with a white jacket that I would like to use for some new circuits in a shop area. I pulled it up from the basement and over the garage roof many years ago, but never connected it. Can I still use this from the breaker box to the outlets and switches, and change to the newer yellow jacketed wire for the ceiling lights? Or will I need to pull it all out and throw it away, and replace it with the newer stuff.
older 12-2 NM-B cable
Jun 09, 2009
10 Replies
can you tell what the temp rating is on the old Romex? Old is 60C, new is 90C
nate
I'd paint it yellow before I'd throw it away. It's fine to use
NM is 60C, NM-B is 90C
I'd certainly use it. Do you think it went stale for some reason?
If it's been protected from the sun, it should be just fine. Exposure to sunshine will dry out and crack the insulation.
Better check your ceiling light ratings. 12-2 may be overkill. Copper prices are still rather high, so you may want to use cheaper 14-2 for your lights and save the 12-2 (white or yellow) for later required 20 A circuits. The rationale for the new wire jacket colors (so I have been told) was to help building inspectors make sure the contractors were using the right gage according to code.
Joe
Which, obviously, is all the more reason that he should use the 12-2 that he _already_has_, instead of going out and buying 14-2.
It's probably against some lofty electrical code to use it but it will work fine.
No. Color isn't prescribed in NEC for jacket; only for conductors.
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On Jun 9, 9:26=A0pm, Joe wrote: Copper
Compared to when? Romex was around $80 +/- for 250' of 14-2 at its peak, and now it is $28. 12-2 is about $38, down from a high of around $100. Copper pipe is less than 1/2 the price of what it was 3 years ago.
JK
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