Different Types of Romex Wire or NM Electrical Cable

What are the Different Types of non-metallic sheathed cable (NM and NMC)? Commonly called Romex. I get this question asked daily by homeowners. "Why is that Romex white and others a different color?" This is a very basic video that will answer those questions.
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[@kiloton1920]

As a retired weed grower I have purchased many rolls of romex and given many used rolls to my electricians who installed and upgraded old systems

[@mikenormandy9250]

Just so there is no confusion, Romex is a name brand for Non-Metallic Sheathed cable or NM cable, Like Scotch Tape, Band-Aid or Xerox, but we tend to use the brand name as the name of the actual item, This is called a product Eponym.

[@garbo8962]

Same thing as wire nut. No such thing in NEC called a wire nut because its the name of a certain company. Heard Romex came from old Rome wire company. Was told at an IAEI class that BX got its name due to it was the second trial version that a comoany was playing with. The X in BX stood for experimental. That & $2 will get you a coffee.

[@georgeblank2648]

@@garbo8962 Not at Starbucks

[@Sparky-ww5re]

@@garbo8962 in the early 1900s, the first version of Armored cable was AX. BX won out. I think it is often referred to as BX because it was invented and first produced in the Bronx, NY.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

@@garbo8962 what we often call wirenut, the technical term if you're speaking in NEC language, is solderless connectors.

[@sterlingferguson7234]

Exactly

[@MrShankspony]

Thank you for the straight forward explanation!

[@moemoes5989]

Great tutorial. Nicely explained. Thanks.

[@sultanmassoodnayel8707]

Great content and very educational. Thanks a lot.

[@ronh5623]

Good basic info, you might mention wire type inside: THHN, THWN and temp rating.

[@michaelbeckerman7532]

What does all that mean? Can you explain that?

[@chriserickson4417]

Thank you for the education. I never knew about all the different wires. I'm hoping to install a sub-panel in the Garage and this is a good start in understanding the wiring.

[@michaelbedford2102]

Really helpful. Thanks!

[@guymeetskitchen1576]

A nice reference video. 👍🏻

[@TuanTranFitnessCoach]

Great upload bro ❤️

[@tonydouglas2572]

Great info. Thank you.

[@kelseysherman7423]

so helpful! thanks for making this video!

[@Airguard08]

Great video

[@daveebert1925]

Well that was educational, thank you...

[@sexxmanuel]

Thanks for the video

[@TheLostAdventuress]

Educational, thank u

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

This is a question I get daily. I hope it helps some of you, too just get an idea of what types of Romex and what do the colors mean. 😃 Happy Holidays everyone.

[@guymeetskitchen1576]

A few years back I made the mistake of buying underground 14/2 when I needed just regular 14/2. It was pricey and a pain in the butt to strip. I’m learning! 😂

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@guymeetskitchen1576 You are not the only one. I see it a lot. 😉

[@creedtatum1479]

i guess I'm kind of off topic but do anyone know a good site to stream newly released tv shows online ?

[@aronmatthias3400]

@Creed Tatum flixportal xD

[@creedtatum1479]

@Aron Matthias Thanks, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :) I really appreciate it !!

[@ignaciomejia8355]

It a good video thanks for your time.

[@jamesrobinson1022]

There is older romex that is colored differently also. I live in an older home and there is some 14-2 that is black and there is some 12-2 that is white with green lettering while the older white 14-2 or 3 has red lettering.

[@artsoto5459]

Great video! What size wire do I need to bury for a 60ft line, it's gonna power up a 15 amp mini split, AC/HEAT, its 110 v and 15 amps, I also want to power 8 outlets and 3 lights, no appliances will be hooked up in my shed, at the most a 60 inch TV, no major tools or anything, the shed is basically a gym/entertainment area, it's a straight shot, therefore I'm thinking of using pvc conduit, also, I will not have it inspected, any ideas?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Go with 10 AWG wire. It will do 30 amps. Plenty of power. You could do a little sub panel out in the shed. Make the 30 amps 220 volt panel with 4 breaker spots. Then add your 15 amp breakers off the sub panel.

[@diedunkleseite4450]

I am looking for pictures to see thw difference between NM and NMC...do they look exactly the same only that on NMC it has the corrosion resistant overall?

[@Leeproeun]

Thanks 🙏

[@lazmotron]

Great video. Can you please answer a question I have. I have gray romex in a pipe underground going to a shed in the yard with a 1500W eclectic heater. Will the wiring be able to handle another 1500Watt heater, at the same time if I upgrade the breaker ampage? I appreciate any advise you can give.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

What is the wire size of the grey wire? 14awg, 12awg, 10awg? It will say on the coating. Grey Romex just state that it is excepted to be buried underground. Is the heater 110 volt or 220 volt?

[@lazmotron]

Thanks. I will tell you when I inspect the wire.

[@fernandoloera6141]

thanks Phil

[@tulio3571]

thank you sir.

[@dingdongmagee]

ALERT FYI TO ALL: The grey outdoor wire is currently cheaper then the indoor wire. $54 for 14/2 grey $78 for 14/2 white

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

I have noticed that too. 👍🏻

[@garbo8962]

Two werks ago a 250' roll of 12/2 NM cable was $259. Over a dollar a foot. Glad that I'm retired. Heard that 12/2 MC cable is cheaper then 12/2 NM cable.

[@calculator1841]

LOL 9 months ago $78 Love these old comments taking about prices.

[@hossfarran6327]

Can you use Grey wire for indoor shop routing?

[@VencedorGamer]

My uncle used "Service" wire in my mother's house, to run a dedicated line for the stove, and another dedicated line for the dryer. 😅

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

🤦‍♂️ well that’s overkill 😂

[@brianhelmick2558]

Thank you.

[@benkanobe7500]

For a sub panel (provided the AWG is correct) where I have to go through 2x4 studs and can not go up into the attic, across, and down to the sub panel from the main, can I strip the Service Romex down to its conductors and run the conductors through the 2x4s from the main panel to the sub panel??

[@boseashish]

thank you very much

[@kcsellers6032]

Good info hey quick question. What amp breaker should I be running on like a 100 gallon hot water heater???

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

It should tell you on the side of the unit. Most that size are 30 amp 2 pole breaker.

[@kcsellers6032]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews Thanks was wondering if upgrading to a 40 would be any benefit guess not

[@pjpmd50]

Hi Phillip. Great video. I have a question. I need 10/3 for a mini-split. I went to Lowe's, and the grey was cheaper than the orange. Is there any reason I shouldn't just use the grey? Also, how you you tell 8/3 from 6/3 when both are black? It doesn't say on the outside.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

8/3 and 6/3 should have white printing on the wire saying the type of wire and the manufacture date. On the 10/3. If the grey is cheaper you can us it. It is for outdoor purposes. Technically, some inspectors frown upon using outdoor wire indoors. If you are the homeowner. Do what you think is best as they say.

[@VP411Designs]

This was really helpful. Thank you! Do you have a video to explain the electrical differences between why some wires i.e speaker wire. Security wire, thermostat wire, are labeled as with the same agw/conductor wire is labeled as the same with for example: one label has 14-2 as speaker wire then there another labeled as 14-2 electrical wire, or 18-2 speaker wire, and 18-2 labeled as sprinkler wire so forth and so forth. Just wanted to understand how and why there are labeled as for such uses but have same awg/conductor? Also what is best explanation on stranded wire vs non, shileded vs non shielded, also what does solid copper vs non solid mean? .

[@moejr14]

What is the best Romax to run a 50 amp welder plug in a garage. I need to go from the laundry room which is inside to the garage and I need about 50 feet. Which wire should I be using? 62 Romax indoor version?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

6/2

[@hawkmoe2789]

good to know 🤓👍

[@grayeagle247]

I have a 10 gauge wire in round gray sheathing it has one red one black one white conductor I know it’s 220 but I cannot find it on KZbin please help thank you

[@cliedocladidahopper3094]

does the footage from the source to the panel matter in choosing the right classification of choosing which to use enjoyed the video it was informative oh blue is used for.. dc may i ask

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yes, there is always voltage drop. make sure you are not losing too many volts as you increase the length. So example: If I had an Air compressor that was 200 feet away from my panel and took 20 amps 12 volt to power. I would lose 12.67 volts and result at the end load would be 107.33 volts. Which is a 10% loss. Maximum allowed is 5%. I would have to increase the wire size from 12 gauge to 10 gauge to make up the voltage loss.

[@benkanobe7500]

Can I use grey Romex in doors in the same way I would use the other Romex not intended for burial (if the AWG is correct for the circuit)? I often see the grey Romex cheaper in price for the same AWG, number of conductors, and length than "normal" inside Romex. Seems backwards.

[@ginnawitters-evans5156]

Hi I'd like to know if the 10 2 orange Romex needs to be put in conduit inside a metal building? I'm running it from main service panel to new RV 30 amp receptacle box. The run is approximately 30 feet. Square D breakers are used in main panel and I'm going to have a Square D breaker in the new 30 amp box as well. Thank ya for any help :-)

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Anything that is 7 ft. and below I would run conduit. Then slide the 10/2 through it. So if you run the 10/2 up and over the rafters. Stub a piece of pipe up past 7ft off the ground of were your outlet is going to be mounted. Slide the 10/2 down the pipe. Exposed walls you want to have it protected. I hope that helped you out.

[@ginnawitters-evans5156]

Thank ya Philip. It's going to run approximately 10 ft straight up wall from 30 amp box and across shop wall about 30 ft and approx 8 ft down into main panel. Does it matter if I use metal or plastic conduit? I'm going to run everything and have it ready for the electrician to hookup so it saves me money.

[@ginnawitters-evans5156]

Sorry I realized after I didn't add my drop footage in orginal calculations so it will be overall approximately 48 ft run total.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@ginnawitters-evans5156 if you have a concrete floor run it in metal. If it is a gravel or dirt floor, run it in plastic. For any future condensation issues.

[@thegreatconvergence8422]

I got some Perrelli 12 AWG 600 volt flexible conduit wire, I'm running it less than 50 ft can I bury it directly and how many amps can I run through it, online it says 25 Amps but I wanted to do 2 Hots at 20 amps with a shared Neutral, I have 200 amp service in a 12x10 shed but no power to the main workshop/Loft apartment, I bought 2 female NEMA 50 amp welding plug ends, 2 female receptacles and 2 bubble boxes, also if I can bury it directly without buying the grey conduit how deep should I bury it, Thanks in advance

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

It is not rated for under ground use. You would have to use grey plastic conduit along with it. Bury it 18 inch in the ground. 6 inches in ground if you use rigid pipe. 25 amp is the max you can run through it. If the wire has a ground, neutral and a black and red which would be a 12/4 AWG. Then, yes you could share the neutral and have 2 separate 20amp 120 volt outlets. That is the correct way to do it With that wire. Hope that helped you out. 😀

[@thegreatconvergence8422]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews Thanks allot man, I'll just leave it above ground till I get a heavier gauge wire

[@rayaanbutt5520]

Thank you

[@moisesperez3]

What type of wiring do you recommend for a light sensor?? I have a 100amp electrical panel, should I use a 14/2 or 14/3 ??

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

I would run 14/3.

[@moisesperez3]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews I have a old home, built 1945 , me and my wife bought our home in 2020, looks like the previous owner tried updating circuit wiring, not all , but most have a 14/2 running, wish you could show a video on how to upgrade old wiring or switching to different wiring.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@moisesperez3 I am hoping to make a video one day about this. Possibly in the near future. 😉

[@harrydoherty8299]

new ranges require 3 wires plus a ground to meet code.the jumper on the ground to neutral is removed to acomadate the 4th wire.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yes. It’s a 14/2/2 wire. 👍🏻

[@gurjindersingh199]

Do they have xlpe insulation romex in usa I've seen it around in some high end old houses in Canada it seems to be a lot better

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

I have not seen it.

[@mrorganic13]

in my area the uf-b cable is actually about 25-40% less then romex due to i guess supply and demand.

[@martinneosel3403]

Hello Phillip. I need to replace a length of household electrical wiring. If I were to take a photo of the exposed section and send it to you, would you be able to tell me the gauge and amp of the wire I need please?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

I possibly can. If the wire is really old, meaning pre 1960’s. It can be hard to tell. Send me an email.

[@chjr4740]

Great content, but dude, take some Tums for that reflux.

[@NavjotSingh-or6rr]

hello we are installing a one outdoor outlet and 2 outdoor lights what wire is good for that??

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

You can use 14/2 underground Romex if code in your area permits Romex.

[@NavjotSingh-or6rr]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews will 12/2 work?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@NavjotSingh-or6rr yes

[@jhakhailamcc98]

Could I use the 10/3 wire for my shore power hook up ?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

If it is 10/3 underground.

[@sterlingferguson7234]

What??

[@Firestarter635]

14/3 for travelers between multiple connected smokes, ceiling fans, and switched outlets Never saw 14/3 used for 220.

[@mr.m.o.g.o.m.]

It would have been helpful if you did it close up on each type of wire.

[@bsmith8564]

UF may NOT be imbedded in poured cement. NEC 340.12(8)

[@TylerSmith-ot5tz]

I'm looking to turn my shed into a man cave it's about 150 feet from the house what wire should I use to run power to it, I wanna put a ac unit,mini fridge and tv with a few outlets?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Depends on how big of AC unit you are going to have. With voltage drop 8/3 wire would work for a 110volt window AC and running a few outlets. You could put a little 30 amp sub panel out there 220 volt and add a few breakers off that. Check local codes. 8/3 underground would do or would have to be piped in some areas.

[@TylerSmith-ot5tz]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews the window unit I'm thinking of getting is a 115 volt that comes with the heater too, Im wanting to do the work myself, so I'm trying to learn as I go thanks for the help!

[@NESDwayne]

My house was built in 1976. I have white romex clearly mark3d as 12 2. White does not always color coordinate as 14 gauge.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

You are right. It wasn’t till 2001 when they started color coating 12/2 and 10/2 and such.

[@NESDwayne]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews Thanks for the response. First time viewer of your channel. I've been renovating my home and really enjoying the electrical work.

[@gregorylyon1004]

All Romex used to be white back then

[@LakeNipissing]

Being 12/2 it is likely aluminum, like in my house. Most homes built from 1966 to 1976 used aluminum wire for all branch circuits, because of the extremely high market price of copper at the time. Look for something like "ALCAN AL-FLEX 12/2 ALUMINUM WITH GROUND" printed on the jacket.

[@NESDwayne]

@@LakeNipissing all the white 12/2 in my home is copper

[@BenGates101]

Can u mix wire gauges? Example. Can I have a 20 amp circuit with 12-2 wire and change to 14-2 at the end of the run?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

You are not supposed to mix wires. But I have seen it. Myself. I wouldn’t do it. Not worth the risk of fire. National Codes are there for a reason.

[@macster1457]

Can the UF-B romex be buried 12 inches if only using 120v? I read that it needs to be buried 24 inches, but if only using no more than 120v, it can be buried 12 inches... is that so?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

It can be at 12 inch. But must be 120 volt GFCI protected and not more than 20 amps. Also must come out of the ground in rigid or PVC when stubbing into a building. That being said, some towns do enforce the code that no matter what it must be down 24 inches. Check with local codes always to see what is enforced in your area.

[@macster1457]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews I was going to use 14/2 UF-B, but then I noticed the breaker for the receptacle I'll using is 20amps...so I am returning the 14/2 and using 12/2 as I've read you can't use 14/2 anywhere in the circuit if the breaker is 20 amps.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yes that is correct

[@garbo8962]

Has anyone priced or seen the new copper clad aluminum 12 or 10 guage NM cable? Outer jacket is copper and comprises 10% of the conductor volume. Best thing extremely or impossible to seperate copper from aluminum so it has no scrap value.

[@zacharykorbet9690]

Also 14/3 can be used for smoke Alarm circuits

[@aurvaroy6670]

And for ceiling fans with lights controlled by separate switches

[@dathip]

yep use 14-3 all the time :)

[@ChuckSlaney]

Great video and information. I have a question. I noticed the a contractor put white Romex 14/2 for my water heater. My water heater does not state the amps, but has the watts for the elements, which is 3800 watts per each element (top and bottom) and the voltage is 240 on the tag. Doing the calculation for Watts= Amps x volts, which comes out to 15.8 amps. I also noticed the contractor placed a 30 Amp breaker. I believe he did both the breaker and Romex incorrectly. I believe he should have used 12/2 Romex (yellow) with a 20 amp breaker. Your thoughts??? Thanks

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Myself. I always do electric hot water tanks on 10/2 wire unless it’s a instant tank which I go by specs. Yes you are right. It is incorrectly done. It should be At least 12/2 and a 20 amp 2 pole breaker. The 30 amp could allow the 14/2 to melt the wire overtime when the elements are at peak. It is unsafe. Question. Does the white Romex say 14/2 on the side? Older 10/2 used to be white. I still have some laying around that I use on little things.

[@ChuckSlaney]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews

[@ChuckSlaney]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews I checked the wire and it says 10/2 with ground type NM ( I believe that's the letters and may have a date but can't read it) The outside color of the sheath is white. So, is this an older wire, but correct size with the 30 amp breaker?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@ChuckSlaney yes, it sounds like it is correct size and breaker

[@gregorylyon1004]

Using a 30 amp breaker is common for a water heater. But these newer models actually use less energy today. So if he installed a 30 amp breaker, he should have used 10 guage wire

[@Coyotecreekgamefowl]

Can you use grey for inside way cheaper 8/3?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yes. Even though it is made for outdoor use. It technically can be used indoors too.

[@Maxrizzz]

so pretty much , all the romax are the same? , besides they’re different in amp capacity and the difference in the shedding and the thickness in the wires based on the amp used on the circuit?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yes, except gray coated Romex. It’s coating is thicker and has a UV coating for outside and underground use.

[@dnvr12]

So i want to run a EV charger in my garage… i found a Grey 6/3 cheaper than the black one… is it still fine to get that as oppose to the black one?.. 50ft of the black 6/3 was $300 and $180 for 40ft of the grey 6/3.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yeah if you ran it yourself. You could use it for indoor or outdoor purposes. I have no Idea why it’s cheaper now🤷‍♂️. It use to be the same price or a bit more. It is harder to strip if you haven’t used it before.

[@thomaswatford8653]

What happen to 12/4 w gnd

[@howtodoitdude1662]

That’s not a regular Romex cable, it’s an exterior UF Romex. The issue is that it’s subject to damage. Needs to be protected by code.

[@Troy-McClure81]

I Recently went up to my attic 1989 las vegas build and saw a strange black flat wire dead ended and open stapled to the beam just inside the entrance, 2 copper wires inside left and right nothing else never seen before I assume some type of low voltage hook up for some type of 80s upgrade? Ty for time,my house is a wiring mess let me put it this way I have to turn of 5 breaker for my kitchen alone lol

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Sounds like antenna wire. Did it look like this ? en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin-lead

[@Troy-McClure81]

@@PhillipBridgesReviews You sir are good that is it! I kinda figured it was some kinda communication type line since it was ran up with other coaxial cable,just so weird it was dead ended at the attic entrance bundled up left makes sense now I know its an antenna wirelol Vegas houses are goofy ty again for taking the time,I was practically tripping over Romex and other wire dragged across beams and I couldn't get over that one weird wire

[@mackb9139]

Ive bored a home before and installed junction wire but i definitely need a youtube degree

[@Tom-og7fi]

The code book states that shared neutrals are not acceptable anymore unless you handle tie the breakers sharing a neutral the 14-2-2 would make it much easier to pull 2 circuits and each would have its own neutral like back several years ago when you used a 14-3 you shared the neutral.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Definitely

[@fredsalter1915]

2:05 a 220 CIRCUIT?!?!?!??!?!

[@Your32Maker]

When the GC asks the electrician what the difference is... 😮🤑

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

If I had a dollar for every time I got asked 😆

[@NSDaishi]

Video actually starts at 1:20

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Good to know👍🏻

[@samanthagriffinv2.08]

Why can the service wire be aluminum but everything else has to be copper why not have the service wire copper sence copper is the better conductor

[@invisableobserver]

I don't understand why these wire manufacturers did not shield the wiring so they would not be so toxic.

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

I agree with you.

[@Artanis667]

Romex is toxic?

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

@@Artanis667 the plastic if it is burned.

[@invisableobserver]

@@Artanis667 I say toxic because it is not shielded, if it is not wired correctly it could emit EMF radiation, though cannot if properly shielded. Sorry for my clumsy wording.

[@blueplasma5589]

are you ready to puke.....lol

[@williambarry4693]

Without the noise, 15 amp color 20 amp color 30 amp color 40 amp color 50 amp color

[@aurvaroy6670]

white, yellow, orange, black, and black

[@robertodebeers2551]

Edit down the talking to just essentials.

[@Kdoc1955]

Get me a pillow

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Yep 😂

[@jopo6388]

Using 4 wire for 20 years now duh!!!!

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

🤣

[@manorod1451]

You need help on your communication skills buddy . Too much stuttering

[@PhillipBridgesReviews]

Thank you for pointing out my speech disorder . 👍🏻