Dating electrical wiring?

[lpoolroberto]

I am trying to date the wiring in my workshop. It is white with specs printed on on but no date. Does anyone know when dating was required and which specs or codes require that it be done?
to clarify, I am looking to date the building for an after the fact permit and prove to the building department that it was built before a certain date 1990 I think.

 

[infinity]

Can you post some photos?

 

[synchro]

I am trying to date the wiring in my workshop. ...
to clarify, I am looking to date the building for an after the fact permit and prove to the building department that it was built before a certain date 1990 I think.

I don't think you can really prove that it was built before a certain date based only on the wiring used, because the cables/wires could have been stored for years before they were installed. But maybe it could be used along with other supporting evidence.

 

[paulengr]

Wiring generally doesn’t have dates. There is a serial number in the spool with that data but that’s. For instance if you are building UL stuff you log the spool data for every wire. If you forget to write it down, you have to cut it all out and start over.

Check the electrical panel date sticker. That’s where your date code is.

 

[lpoolroberto]

The print is white on white, not easy to read. I covered with black marker and then sanded off, easier now but not pretty. cant see an upload option but it reads. "E18679 UL4 AWG 12x2 with AWG 12 GROUND type NM-B 600V" from what I can read.

 

[lpoolroberto]

Wiring generally doesn’t have dates. There is a serial number in the spool with that data but that’s. For instance if you are building UL stuff you log the spool data for every wire. If you forget to write it down, you have to cut it all out and start over.

Check the electrical panel date sticker. That’s where your date code is.

good idea, thanks

 

[tom baker]

Sq D panels have date codes that I have used for finding parts

 

[retirede]

I believe NM-B was introduced in 1984, so you’re later than that.

 

[texie]

I believe NM-B was introduced in 1984, so you’re later than that.

Yep, that is a real tell. Yes, it was 1984 when it became code.

 

[LarryFine]

Do you have sizes other than #14 that are white?

 

[MTW]

Check the date stamped inside your toilet tanks as well, those don't get changed that often.

 

[James L]

The print is white on white, not easy to read. I covered with black marker and then sanded off, easier now but not pretty. cant see an upload option but it reads. "E18679 UL4 AWG 12x2 with AWG 12 GROUND type NM-B 600V" from what I can read.

Printed white on white?

 

[LarryFine]

Printed white on white?

Embossed.

 

[norcal]

White jacketed 12/2 NM-B would be 1984ish to 2002, but never know when NOS, New Old Stock cable was used either.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Google Earth and look at satellite images. I know they have pictures back to the early 80s at least.

Funny your permit people don't do this already. It's used quite frequently around here by the local government entities to date things.