NM from 37 year storage

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junkhound

junkhound

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Location
Renton, WA
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EE, power electronics specialty
Do not recall ever seeing any code paragraph on use of old NM.

Got a few rolls of 250 12/2wg still in original boxes. Not stiff, no apparent ageing of insulation or covering

Any reason to not use this NM from 1982 - still had the price tag, $18.95 for 250 ft rolls.
 
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norcal

Senior Member
junkhound said:
Do not recall ever seeing any code paragraph on use of old NM.

Got a few rolls of 250 12/2wg still in original boxes. Not stiff, no apparent ageing of insulation or covering

Any reason to not use this NM from 1982 - still had the price tag, $18.95 for 250 ft rolls.
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NM cable does not comply with the requirement that it be rated for 90 degree C, must be NM-B. IMHO, sell it for scrap. See 334.116.
 
Coppersmith

Coppersmith

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Location
Tampa, FL, USA
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Electrical Contractor
norcal said:
NM cable does not comply with the requirement that it be rated for 90 degree C, must be NM-B. IMHO, sell it for scrap. See 334.116.
Click to expand...

I work under NEC 2014. This is all it says. There's no requirement that the NM be NM-B. It just can't be used where 90C wire is required. It will be fine where 60C wire can be used.

334.116 Sheath. The outer sheath of nonmetallic-sheathed
cable shall comply with 334.116(A), (B), and (C).
(A) Type NM. The overall covering shall be flame retardant
and moisture resistant.


electrofelon said:
I have pondered this before, in general for used building materials. I dont think I would use it at my house. Everything has a lifespan, do you really want to knock 37 years off from the start?
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OP said it felt and looked OK. If it's been stored in the dark and not in extreme temperatures, it's probably fine. In which case I would use it.

Or you could scrap it and probably get most of your $19 back.
 
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texie

Senior Member
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado
Occupation
Electrician, Contractor, Inspector
norcal said:
NM cable does not comply with the requirement that it be rated for 90 degree C, must be NM-B. IMHO, sell it for scrap. See 334.116.
Click to expand...

I think you mean 334.112 that requires 90 degree conductors. I would not use pre 90 degree stuff as many fixtures require 90 degree conductors.
I think most would agree that old NM would not be complaint for use today for any reason.
 
Coppersmith

Coppersmith

Senior Member
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
texie said:
I think you mean 334.112 that requires 90 degree conductors. I would not use pre 90 degree stuff as many fixtures require 90 degree conductors.
I think most would agree that old NM would not be complaint for use today for any reason.
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OK I see the NM-B requirement now. Scrap it if it's not NM-B.
 
480sparky

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
texie said:
I seem to recall late 80s but not really sure.

Edit to add: I just looked it up. It first appeared in the 1984 NEC.
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If you read it, 90° refers ONLY to 18 and 16-ga conductors. For all others, it refers to T310-13. If you look at T310-13, you'll see not everything there is 90°C rated.

The all-90°C requirement started in 1996.
 
peter d

peter d

Senior Member
Location
New England
I would use it, no reason to scrap perfectly good wire. It's fine for receptacles and other uses not subject to heating, not that you should be running #12 to lights anyway.
 
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