California NM-B outer jacket color question

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ShockedMonkey

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I've seen yellow sheathed used for 12ga and white for 14ga, I think orange is 10ga,

I didn't see it in the NEC, Is this enforced in CA?

I ask because I have a couple 500' spools of 12 sitting around that are white sheathed and didn't know if it was just make-up/ladder tying wire now.

Thanks!
 
ShockedMonkey said:
I've seen yellow sheathed used for 12ga and white for 14ga, I think orange is 10ga,

I didn't see it in the NEC, Is this enforced in CA?

I ask because I have a couple 500' spools of 12 sitting around that are white sheathed and didn't know if it was just make-up/ladder tying wire now.

Thanks!
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The color difference is a convenience; all the code requires is printed markings on the jacket.
 
I would not waste it. Use it for building wiring instead of ladder ties.
 
How old is it? I believe the old NM (as opposed to NM-B) is only 75 degree rated. Does it have any dates or temperature ratings embosssed on it? What type does it say it is?
 
AFAIK the white jacketed NM is only rated for 75 C. You couldn't use it on most lights as they are rated at 90 C. Probably other items as well.
As was stated, color is not required but as an aid. I'm pretty sure the yellow was added to the NMB with the 90 C rating.
 
Little Bill said:
AFAIK the white jacketed NM is only rated for 75 C. You couldn't use it on most lights as they are rated at 90 C. Probably other items as well.
As was stated, color is not required but as an aid. I'm pretty sure the yellow was added to the NMB with the 90 C rating.
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Never heard of 75C rated NM. I believe it was the 84 NEC that required 90C conductors. Prior to that the conductors were 60C. The jackets could be any color and were. Some manufactures stuck with the same color for everything.

Southwire had random colors. Every time I purchased Southwire cable it was a different color (white, green, blue, grey, black, etc.)

In 2002 Southwire introduced the current white, yellow, orange color scheme of NM cable.
 
curt swartz said:
Never heard of 75C rated NM. I believe it was the 84 NEC that required 90C conductors. Prior to that the conductors were 60C. The jackets could be any color and were. Some manufactures stuck with the same color for everything.

Southwire had random colors. Every time I purchased Southwire cable it was a different color (white, green, blue, grey, black, etc.)

In 2002 Southwire introduced the current white, yellow, orange color scheme of NM cable.
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Perfectly stated. I agree. NM is 60 degree C and NMB is 90 degree C. Southwire's old NM was colored by the plastic they had (actually had a client request specific colors to match décor once!). NMB was initially all white. The color-by-gauge is only 15 years old and is a manufacturer's conceit, and nothing more. There is no Code behind the color-by-gauge.
 
al hildenbrand said:
Perfectly stated. I agree. NM is 60 degree C and NMB is 90 degree C. Southwire's old NM was colored by the plastic they had (actually had a client request specific colors to match décor once!). NMB was initially all white. The color-by-gauge is only 15 years old and is a manufacturer's conceit, and nothing more. There is no Code behind the color-by-gauge.
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Hmmm, I swear I've seen NM that has 75 degrees C embossed on the jacket. Might have to dig through the scrap pile a bit tomorrow. This is gonna bug me until I confirm this... :huh:
 
curt swartz said:
Never heard of 75C rated NM. I believe it was the 84 NEC that required 90C conductors. Prior to that the conductors were 60C. The jackets could be any color and were. Some manufactures stuck with the same color for everything.

Southwire had random colors. Every time I purchased Southwire cable it was a different color (white, green, blue, grey, black, etc.)

In 2002 Southwire introduced the current white, yellow, orange color scheme of NM cable.
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You're correct, my brain was saying 60 C but my fingers were saying 75 C. Don't know why I even thought that other than reading another reply. Think it planted a subliminal message in my head!:happyyes::blink:
 
Rex Cauldwell author of "Wiring a House, 4th edition" on page 134 says he invented the idea of color coding NM and the head honcho at Southwire read it in his book (1st edition) and instituted it.
 
As long as the sheathing is marked NM-B (90C) it's fine, if just NM (60C) scrap it as NEC does require 90C conductors.

Coppersmith said:
Rex Cauldwell author of "Wiring a House, 4th edition" on page 134 says he invented the idea of color coding NM and the head honcho at Southwire read it in his book (1st edition) and instituted it.
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Have always said that color coding was for trailer (mobile home) builders, if the same crew pulling the wire was laying sod, the foreman would be yelling "Green Side Up, Green Side Up" continuously.:lol:
 
Frank DuVal said:
While I agree scrapping the NM 60 °C wire is probably best, I can not find in the 2017 NEC any reason you can not use it for receptacles in an ordinary wall application. There are still many 60 °C tables in the NEC.

:?
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2014 NEC 334.112 is a "shall be" without equivocation. This, to me, seems to be the reason.
 
Thank you.

Waiting for the rain to stop and I'll dig it out.

I think it's NM-B, but it's been so long I can't recall, except $50/500'

I bought all they had figuring I could "unsheath" and use it for pigtailing. About the time AFCI's came out.
 
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