Material Choices

[ivsenroute]

How many of you choose wire based on price only and how many are loyal to a particular brand such as Southwire, Cerro, etc.?

What is more interesting would be why.

I have noticed that some of you (when wire is not already spec'd for you) won't do a service with aluminum yet others only use aluminum for services.

I am wondering if this is a geographical issue, monetary issue or a combination of both.

Availablility I am sure has a lot to do with it.

Same goes for other items such as Carlon for boxes, Leviton or P&S for switches and receptacles, Milibank for service equipt, etc.

 

[jaylectricity]

First of all, I use whatever brand romex is stocked at the supply house or at the big box.

I generally prefer using copper for my services. Some towns around here require it. It's something my old boss taught me and we always used it. Of course when copper went through the roof I caught him using aluminum. What's worse is he gets top dollar for his work. Don't get me wrong, he does really excellent work, but I was surprised to see him using aluminum because he always made it seem like it was an inferior conductor that he was above using.

I used to like the Bakelite fiberglass type boxes for receptacles and switches but now I just use whatever plastic boxes they have at the big box. Mostly because I just never seem to get the job when I bid with all the good materials.

 

[Lcdrwalker]

For me it's $$$$$. Whatever brand my supplier has is what I use. Since most of my work is commercial/industrial, I put in some pretty good size services. I will use Al when I can. If specs call for copper, I will approach the owner with a "value engineering" change request to use Al. beyond cost, I believe that it is easier to work with and a lot less likely to walk off a job.

 

[peter d]

I like Southwire because of their Simpull jacket on NM, and the new THHN stuff seems pretty slick too. (pun intended.)

As for devices, Leviton rules the day here, so using the other brands doesn't make much sense. Chances are when you go into an existing dwelling it will have Leviton in place already, so using a P&S Trademaster device and plate would stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[mdshunk]

Wire? Heck no. To me, wire is wire. The Simpull stuff is nice, but not nice enough to hunt it up specially. Devices, different story. I prefer Trademaster devices, and other brands slow me down or tick me off. Small matter anyhow, since most of the supply houses around here have Trademaster.

 

[petersonra]

A lot of stuff is pretty much interchangeable these days. Even the low end stuff is about as good as the best of it. Unless there is some other reason not to, I am going with the lowest price.

Having said that, those other reasons can be pretty important, and they include such things as loyalty, availability, and other issues that are not price related.

 

[480sparky]

Wire's wire. There may a bit of difference in the same 'color' from one brand to another, but any competent electrician will be able to figure it out.

Devices & service gear are another story. I stick with P&S, so when I go to a job I've already been to, I know things will match. Keeps things simple.

 

[peter d]

Wire? Heck no. To me, wire is wire.

I beg to differ on that one. Sometimes the Colonial and Encore stuff has the consistency of fine grit sandpaper. I roughed a house where we had the Colonial and Simpull stuff, and it was like night and day between the two brands.

 

[NolaTigaBait]

all that ive ever worked with is simull, b/c thats what the supply house stocks and the big stores...as far as al v. cu for my service....i prefer copper, but ive used al a couple times