Boat/Marine cable acceptable for residential use?

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Kravin

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eugene, oregon
I was given some stranded 12/2 w/gnd "boat cable" which has insulated ground and a typical NM pvc jacket. I can't find anything in the code that allows/forbids use in a residence. If anything I would suspect it is better than standard due to use in corrosive environments. Anyone dealt with this before? Or know where to look in code? Thx
 
Is there enough info on the insulation to find a manufacturer's product sheet on it?
Do you even know who made it?
 
Generally if it is not referenced in the NEC & not part of chapter 3 - no bueno -- There may be a listing number on it -- E- ?????? -- upload a picture
 
Boat cable has it's own UL listing and unless marked for use as a Chapter 3 wiring method (I found none that have such a thing) it's not NEC kosher to use in in NEC covered areas.

One thing to consider is that boat cable is made from fine stranded conductors and there will be problems using them on lugs and terminals designed for the larger strands used in Chapter 3 conductors.

Edit to add:

Chapter 8 lists #12 as having either 1 strand (solid) or 7 strands (stranded). More than 7 strands would be not allowed, IMHO.
 
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K8MHZ said:
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Chapter 8 lists #12 as having either 1 strand (solid) or 7 strands (stranded). More than 7 strands would be not allowed, IMHO.
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#12 can have 19 strands. That is still a standard and is not a finely stranded conductor that requires special terminations.
See Chapter 9, Table 10.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
#12 can have 19 strands. That is still a standard and is not a finely stranded conductor that requires special terminations.
See Chapter 9, Table 10.
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Thanks, there was no table 10 in '08, it was added in '11. Also, other than strands, what is the difference between Class B and Class C wiring?

I'll bet the boat cable has more than 19 strands.
 
That marine cable is probably high dollar. He may be better off selling it. Some of that stuff can be $10-20 per foot and up. Not sure how much he has.
 
K8MHZ said:
Thanks, there was no table 10 in '08, it was added in '11. Also, other than strands, what is the difference between Class B and Class C wiring?

I'll bet the boat cable has more than 19 strands.
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Those letters are for the stranding only as far as I know. I think K is the very finely stranded, like welding cable.

What did you find in the 2008 that only let you have 7 strands in a #12.

Correction: Type "K" stranding a conductor that uses #30 wire for each of the strands.
Take a look at this.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Those letters are for the stranding only as far as I know. I think K is the very finely stranded, like welding cable.

What did you find in the 2008 that only let you have 7 strands in a #12.
Click to expand...

Chapter 9, Table 8. There is no table 10. The end of 9 and the beginning of 11 are on the same page. 19 strands aren't allowed until 1 AWG. There is also a footnote that all of the stranding in Table 8 is Class B.
 
K8MHZ said:
Chapter 9, Table 8. There is no table 10. The end of 9 and the beginning of 11 are on the same page. 19 strands aren't allowed until 1 AWG. There is also a footnote that all of the stranding in Table 8 is Class B.
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I don't see that table as telling me I can't use a conductor with more strands. It just tells me the properties of the conductors based on the number of strands.
Most all of the #12 and 14 THWN that I have used in the past 30 years has been 19 strand.
 
Boat Cable. Full description.

Boat Cable. Full description.

don_resqcapt19 said:
Those letters are for the stranding only as far as I know. I think K is the very finely stranded, like welding cable.

What did you find in the 2008 that only let you have 7 strands in a #12.

Correction: Type "K" stranding a conductor that uses #30 wire for each of the strands.
Take a look at this.
Click to expand...

So here is the full label: "BC5W2 E67078 12/AWG / 3 COND BOAT CABLE 600 VOLTS (UL) 105°C DRY 75°C WET"
The pictures I find on the web are mostly white and round. This is grey and flat. There appear to be about 50 strands per wire.

I have short runs left and just want to use it up. No real value in trying to sell at this point. Thanks all.
 
Kravin said:
So here is the full label: "BC5W2 E67078 12/AWG / 3 COND BOAT CABLE 600 VOLTS (UL) 105°C DRY 75°C WET"
The pictures I find on the web are mostly white and round. This is grey and flat. There appear to be about 50 strands per wire.

I have short runs left and just want to use it up. No real value in trying to sell at this point. Thanks all.
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It is not of a type that is permitted to be used for NEC applications. The following is from the UL Guide Information for "Boat Cable" (BDFX) and based on the "e" number in your post, that is what this cable is listed as.
This category covers boat cable, which consists of a single insulated conductor without a jacket, or two or more insulated conductors with or without an overall nonmetallic jacket, and which is suitable for use in marine pleasure crafts.
Click to expand...
 
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