Labels on Non-Metallic Cable (Romex)
The most common type of wiring used in homes is non-metallic (NM) cable, commonly called “Romex,” after the popular brand name. New NM cable contains two or more insulated conducting wires and usually a bare ground wire. The wires may be wrapped in paper, and all of the wires are encased in a flexible plastic jacket or sheathing. The labels on the outer sheathing of NM cable indicate the size, or gauge, of the individual conducting wires, the wire material, the number of wires contained inside the cable, the maximum voltage rating, and whether there is a ground wire present. The wire size and number of wires are indicated with numbers. A ground wire is indicated by “G,” “w/G,” or “with Ground.” The wire material is indicated by “CU” for copper and “AL” for aluminum. Here are some examples of labels on common cable types used in home wiring:
14-2G: Cable contains two insulated wires plus a ground wire; the wires are 14-gauge.14-3G: Cable contains three insulated wires plus a ground wire; the wires are 14-gauge.12-2 w/G: Cable contains two insulated wires plus a ground wire; the wires are 12-gauge.12-3 w/G: Cable contains three insulated wires plus a ground wire; the wires are 12-gauge.600 V: Cable is rated for a maximum of 600 volts; this is standard for residential NM cable.TYPE NM-B: Non-metallic type-B cable; this is the current standard for residential installations. “NM-B” cable is more heat-resistant than older “NM” cable.
Underground Feeder Cable
Most NM cable is used in “dry,” or interior, locations, where the cable is protected inside wall, ceiling, and floor cavities. Underground feeder (UF) cable is a special type of non-metallic cable that is suitable for “wet” locations, or for unprotected locations like direct burial in the ground. UF cable is usually gray (not white, yellow, orange, or black, like standard NM cable); it is labeled “UF-B” and may include “Sunlight Resistant” or similar wording. UF cable uses the same symbols as standard NM cable to indicate the number and gauge of wires.
Labels on Individual Wires
Individual insulated wires are used in home wiring when an installation calls for conduit—a rigid or flexible protective pipe or tubing through which the wires are run. Electricians buy the individual conducting wire by the spool so they can pull different wires from different spools as needed. The important labeling on individual wires relates to the wire insulation—the plastic coating that covers the metal conducting wire. The most common types of wire used in home wiring include:
THHNTHWNTHWXHHN
Here’s what the letters on the labels mean:
T: Thermoplastic insulation, a fire-resistant material H: Heat-resistant; able to withstand temperatures up to 167 F. HH: Highly heat-resistant; able to withstand temperatures up to 194 F. W: “Wet,” or approved for damp and wet locations; this wire is also suitable for dry locations X: Insulation made of a synthetic polymer that is flame-retardant N: Nylon-coated for resistance to oil and gasoline
Labels on Low-Voltage and Thermostat Wires
Low-voltage wiring used around the home includes small non-metallic cable used for thermostats and other control devices and paired insulated wire used for landscape lighting systems. Three other types of low-voltage wires typically show up in homes, too: phone wire, network wiring, and TV cable. Wire for landscape lights usually is black and has labeling stamped into the wire insulation. Labels typically include:
Wire size: Indicated by a number (such as 12, for 12-gauge) or a number followed by “AWG,” for American Wire Gauge.Number of wires: Usually indicated by the number 2; landscape wiring typically has two insulated wires stuck together (similar to a lamp cord) and contains no ground wire.Properties: Wording indicating sunlight-resistance or suitability for underground installation.
Thermostat cable is similar to NM cable but contains four or more small insulated wires and no ground wire. The cable may or may not be labeled. Each wire has its own color to help you connect to the appropriate terminal at the thermostat and the equipment it controls. Although color coding is not universal, the lettering on the thermostat terminals is relatively standard:
C: Common wire; allows for continuous power flow from the R wire; not all thermostats use this terminalR: 24-volt power supply from the furnace transformerRc: Calls for heat or cooling; there may be more than one Rc terminalG: FanW: HeatY: Air conditioner
