"New" old wire - can I use it?

[peter d]

I have 2 boxes of #12 solid type THW wire, made in 1973, still in the original boxes in perfect condition. It was stored my parent's basement all that time.

I have used a little bit around the house but I am going to make a run to the scrap yard soon and was wondering if I should just toss it.

I see it's still listed in table 310.16 but given modern wire this stuff seems like real junk. It sure makes me appreciate modern nylon insulated THHN/THWN.

Edit to add: This wire is older than I am.

[ April 18, 2005, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]

 

[hbiss]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

There's nothing that says you can't use it. It's not junk, use it for pigtails and other stuff as long as you observe the 60deg C rating. I'm sure somebody is going to say use it to tie the ladder on the top of your truck...

I just paid $36 for a spool of #12 THHN and I'm sure a scrap yard will only give you a few cents considering it's insulated.

-Hal

 

[charlie b]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

The only part of a wire that experiences aging in any significant way is the insulation system. That ages more rapidly when it is exposed to higher temperatures. At the range of temperatures you would normally see in a basement, with no current flowing to give an increase in temperature, the insulation system would not degrade significantly, even over a 30+year span. It should be fine. But you can tell better than we can, by the look and feel of the insulation. I suspect that it is a pliable as ever (i.e., the wire bends easily, without cracking the insulation). I also suspect that this is what you meant, when you said it was in ?perfect condition.?

Originally posted by peter d: Edit to add: This wire is older than I am.

Those of us who had graduated from High School before this stuff was made probably did not need to know that.

 

[lady sparks lover]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

Originally posted by peter d:

Edit to add: This wire is older than I am.

 

[jwelectric]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

Originally posted by peter d:
Edit to add: This wire is older than I am.

my second child was two years old then.

 

[physis]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

He might be using metric years.

I'm sure somebody is going to say use it to tie the ladder on the top of your truck...

 

[peter d]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

The insulation is indeed still pliable and shows no sign of cracking. As I mentioned, I used a little bit of it (pulled some spare conductors in a 3/4 pvc out to the garage) and it was fine.

The packaging is interesting. It is packaged the same way NM cable used to be packaged in cardboard boxes.

At what point did single conductor wire start being packaged on spools and reels?

 

[hbiss]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

I think 250' coils were packaged that way. We still get TW #14, 12 and 10 ground wire (telephone gray of course) in boxes the same way. Makes it easy when you only need a few feet.

-Hal

 

[charlie]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

Doesn't the insulation dry rot after a while, or am I mistaken?

Lady, most dry rot is the result of material that is exposed to something that will degrade it such as tires being exposed to UV from the sun. Being in a basement will keep the cable away from most types of degradation agents.

 

[peter]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

Peter D--

You can always use it to tie your ladders to your truck rack.
~Peter

 

[lady sparks lover]

Re: "New" old wire - can I use it?

Originally posted by charlie:

Doesn't the insulation dry rot after a while, or am I mistaken?

Lady, most dry rot is the result of material that is exposed to something that will degrade it such as tires being exposed to UV from the sun. Being in a basement will keep the cable away from most types of degradation agents.


Lady