I found an old roll of 12/3

[nizak]

I’m still amazed at how guys could fit 5 of the old black nm cables that were about 5/8” diameter ( the kind with the heavy paper wrap around each conductor) into a 3 1/2” octagon metal box.

I think the boxes were made from 1/8” steel as well.

 

[jmellc]

I’m still amazed at how guys could fit 5 of the old black nm cables that were about 5/8” diameter ( the kind with the heavy paper wrap around each conductor) into a 3 1/2” octagon metal box.

I think the boxes were made from 1/8” steel as well.

And some of the older ones were soldered joints.

 

[MD Automation]

I feel like you all have been peeking in my garage !

In my layers of scrap cables, I knew I had something like what the OP showed. But mine is white, and a little older, as it's NM and not NM-B. But still (relatively) huge, compared to modern stuff. Lots of paper wrapped in it.

And, yup, the rolls came in those cardboard boxes, this is a 250' roll of General Cable 12-3 NM...



And just for fun, I included the phone (Western Electric 302) it was probably ordered with

I'm guessing this cable dates to the 1970s, as it has a "modern" PVC jacket. I looked up NM-B and it seems to have been introduced in '84.

I have been meaning to scrap this for years, just never got around to it.

 

[Greentagger]

Same here. Sad to say, the inspection department busted a DIY claiming his addition was started years ago.
Sorry pal, the yellow romex is only a couple of years old.

Ron

And it would have dates stamped on it. I get a lot of deer in the headligt moments when folks find this out claiming it was “existing”.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Same here. Sad to say, the inspection department busted a DIY claiming his addition was started years ago.
Sorry pal, the yellow romex is only a couple of years old.

Ron

Seems like most cable has a manufacturing date printed on it as well.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Some scoff at it but I was happy to see color coded NM jackets.

Sometimes it's fun to play confuse the inspector when I find an old roll of white 12/2 in the shop and use it.

 

[norcal]

If I recall correctly NM-B came out in the mid 1980's.

 

[Eddie702]

If I recall correctly NM-B came out in the mid 1980's.

84'

 

[jmellc]

I feel like you all have been peeking in my garage !

In my layers of scrap cables, I knew I had something like what the OP showed. But mine is white, and a little older, as it's NM and not NM-B. But still (relatively) huge, compared to modern stuff. Lots of paper wrapped in it.

And, yup, the rolls came in those cardboard boxes, this is a 250' roll of General Cable 12-3 NM...

View attachment 2580313

And just for fun, I included the phone (Western Electric 302) it was probably ordered with

I'm guessing this cable dates to the 1970s, as it has a "modern" PVC jacket. I looked up NM-B and it seems to have been introduced in '84.

I have been meaning to scrap this for years, just never got around to it.

Our family had this phone til late 60's. Heavy as a cinder block. I used that type NM in the mid 70's. Yes, enough paper to choke a silverfish.