Yellow, Red, and Brown Copper

[mbrooke]

Does anyone know the cause behind discolored copper in NM wire? Is it safe to use? Does it have the same conductivity, anneal and so forth as "regular" copper? I used to find this on semi occasion when dealing with South Wire's Romex.


https://www.reddit.com/r/electricians/comments/lm5nb2

 

[hbiss]

Looks like they are using an alloy (brass?) to save money on pure copper. It's fine.

Did you check to make sure they gave you 250' and not 249?

-Hal

 

[mbrooke]

Looks like they are using an alloy (brass?) to save money on pure copper. It's fine.

Did you check to make sure they gave you 250' and not 249?

-Hal

Are you being serious?

 

[oldsparky52]

That thumb looked like it not too far in the past was an "OUCH".

 

[romex jockey]

so...if it's an alloy...not the normal CU....do all of the EGC calc's change......??? ~RJ~

 

[ptonsparky]

That thumb looked like it not too far in the past was an "OUCH".

His thumb does look like someone was not paying attention during that safety class.
If his fingerprints weren't on file before, they sure are now.

 

[Dsg319]

That thumb looked like it not too far in the past was an "OUCH".
[/QUOTE looks like he could use a good case of clippers and some hand lotion

 

[ptonsparky]

my Judge of a productive day used to be if I bled at least once, or my spouse would look at me a ask ‘what did you do to yourself?’. Normally I wouldn’t remember.

 

[mikeames]

‘what did you do to yourself?’. Normally I wouldn’t remember.

Yep, I appreciate gloves like mechanix wear more now. Hated gloves in the past, now sometimes I feel like I need to take them off so my hands don't get soft.

 

[Dsg319]

Yep, I appreciate gloves like mechanix wear more now. Hated gloves in the past, now sometimes I feel like I need to take them off so my hands don't get soft.

I’ve been wearing thin”bolt up” gloves most the winter and have gotten pretty use to them.

 

[K8MHZ]

The copper in the hot and neutral look the same color to me. The yellow EGC is a new one on me. I have never seen that before. I have seen the outside of copper change color over time as it slowly oxidizes.

 

[Fred B]

Yep, I appreciate gloves like mechanix wear more now. Hated gloves in the past, now sometimes I feel like I need to take them off so my hands don't get soft.

Normally good for the cuts, but got a bad pinch once even though the glove. Almost threw the linesman that day.

 

[mbrooke]

His thumb does look like someone was not paying attention during that safety class.
If his fingerprints weren't on file before, they sure are now.

Can't people make mistakes in this world? Me, personally, I like to live without all the bubble wrap.

 

[Fred B]

The copper in the hot and neutral look the same color to me. The yellow EGC is a new one on me. I have never seen that before. I have seen the outside of copper change color over time as it slowly oxidizes.

Copper oxidation makes it dark not bright.
Could they be using copper clad aluminum for the ground conductor? If so is that even allowed in the same cable?

 

[oldsparky52]

If so is that even allowed in the same cable?

I wouldn't think so.

 

[hbiss]

Could they be using copper clad aluminum for the ground conductor?

It would still look like copper which that doesn't.

Sure looks like brass to me.

-Hal

 

[hbiss]

Just checked Southwire's website and their SimPull NM-B specs. All conductors are copper. You say that this isn't a new occurrence, you noticed it in the past. I would think that if that were the case there would be something from Southwire about it.

Makes me wonder if you got some counterfeit stuff. Where did you purchase it?

-Hal

 

[LarryFine]

I have seen that before; only in 14-2 if I'm remembering correctly. It does look like an alloy.

Send the pic to the manufacturer and ask about it. Tell them hundreds of us want to know.

 

[mbrooke]

I don't have any left unfortunately. I've seen it in 12-2 and 14-2, always Southwire. HD seems to have it more often than the supply house.

 

[hbiss]

I don't have any left unfortunately.

Well, you do have that picture. Just crop out that thumb...


-Hal