is romex wire copper

by Melvin Stark MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Romex Wires are non-metallic wires that are commonly used for electrical wiring in homes. Romex consists of one or more copper wires, a neutral conductor and a ground wire. The copper wires are individually insulated and the entire bundle of wires is sheathed in a plastic coating.

What is the difference between Romex and THHN wire?

Feb 19, 2022 · Romex consists of one or more copper wires, a neutral conductor and a ground wire. The copper wires are individually insulated and the entire bundle of wires is sheathed in a plastic coating. The Romex Wire comes in various color variations, depending on the gauge number and wire thickness. Romex Cables Romex (shown in yellow above) is the trade name …

Is it possible to wire with Romex?

Romex consists of one or more copper wires, a neutral conductor and a ground wire. The copper wires are individually insulated and the entire bundle of wires is sheathed in a plastic coating. The Romex Wire comes in various color variations, depending …

Does all Romex have a ground wire?

May 13, 2022 · Romex® wire a brand of housewire or non-metallic wire is electrical wiring commonly found in homes. Generally you can make more money by stripping the wires to get to the copper. Housewire has two jackets covering the copper inside. Scrapping Romex® wire and other non-metallic cable is good not only for your pocket but also for the environment so …

Is Romex wire copper or aluminum?

Jan 02, 2022 · There are two types of Romex cable available on the market: aluminum and copper. Both are acceptable for underground use but the copper version has better conductivity so it can carry more current than the aluminum cable .

Is Romex aluminum or copper?

Most residential aluminum wiring installed in the mid-1960s and 1970s was plastic-sheathed or cloth cable (NM type wire, otherwise known as “Romex”). Both are difficult to tell apart from a copper cable because they look so similar. Residential wires will be most visible in unfinished basements, attics, or garages.Mar 10, 2022

Is all Romex wire copper?

Romex wire is made out of two or three THHN wires combined with a grounding bare copper wire. Like the THHN wires, Romex wire can't be used outside because of its minimal PVC jacket protection.

Should I strip Romex for scrap?

Romex® wire is one of the exceptions to the rule. Because of the solid pieces of copper found inside. Romex® is one of the few wires that we actually recommend stripping if you have the time and you're looking to upgrade your material.Jan 2, 2022

What type of wiring is Romex?

Romex Cables

Romex™ is a common type of residential wiring that is categorized by the National Electrical Code (NEC) as underground feeder (UF) or non-metallic sheathed cable (NM and NMC). NM and NMC conductors are composed of two or more insulated conductors contained in a non-metallic sheath.

What type of insulation is Romex?

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Conductor insulation is 90°C-rated polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon jacketed. Romex® Brand SIMpull® NM-B cable is designed for easier pulling, resulting in easier installation.

Is Romex wiring safe?

Romex wire is one of the better and safer alternatives for the following reasons: Presence of a ground wire. Sheathing is flame-resistant and heat resistant, able to withstand a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Longer-lasting due to copper metal composition.Jun 27, 2017

How much copper is Romex?

The copper wire in Romex is graded as high grade # 1 copper which accounts for an average of between 62 and 64 percent copper recovery. The recovery will vary with the number of copper strands it has but usually, scrap ROMEX is sold at a high price.May 4, 2020

Is it worth stripping copper wire?

If you chose to strip it, you will end up with 90 pounds of copper don't forget 10 pounds in plastic waste and in today's market you will get $1.90 per pound for stripped copper wire so your 90 pounds will net you $171.00 difference of $21.00 between stripping it or selling the way it is, just want to mention one thing ...

What is the difference between bare bright copper and #1 copper?

Bare Bright Copper

Also referred to as “bright & shiny copper,” it is the most valuable and high-paying grade around. It refers exclusively to bare, uncoated and unalloyed wire or cable – no thinner than 16 gauge in thickness – which is of #1 copper quality. Copper piping is not included within the classification.Apr 10, 2017

Is Romex wire illegal?

While allowed in houses, it is important to note that the NEC prohibits the use of Romex conductors in residences higher than 3 stories, while the wires are prohibited altogether in commercial buildings.Mar 16, 2021

What is the difference in Romex wire?

The second number indicates the number of conductors. A 12-2 Romex will have a black(hot) and a white(neutral) wire as well as an unsheathed copper wire for ground. A 12-3 Romex will have a black(hot), red(hot), white(neutral), and bare copper.

Is Romex wire waterproof?

Romex wires cannot be used outdoors because, if it gets wet with water, gas, oil or another solvent, these liquids could penetrate the jacket and ruin the connection by getting in contact with the bare copper ground wire.

What is Romex wire used for?

Romex (seen in yellow above) is the brand name for a non-metallic sheathed electrical conductor that is often used for residential branch wiring. I...

Can Romex be exposed in the basement?

The trademark name Romex refers to non-metal sheathing wire. To summarize the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, Romex wire should not be le...

Is MC-cable the same as Romex?

In the code, Romex is referred to as NMB (non metallic, which is the general term). A BX cable is a metal-clad (MC) cable. There is also an AC cabl...

When did Romex become standard?

Plastic or thermoplastic nonmetallic cable, such as the one shown below, has been in use since the 1960s and was widely employed in new home constr...

What Is Romex Wires Scrap?

Romex Wires are non-metallic wires that are commonly used for electrical wiring in homes. Romex consists of one or more copper wires, a neutral conductor and a ground wire. The copper wires are individually insulated and the entire bundle of wires is sheathed in a plastic coating.

Romex Wires Scrap Price

The Romex Wire can be stripped to take apart copper wire. However, it really is a tedious task to get the copper wire separated as you need to remove two layers of insulation. Though this can be done with simple tools like razor blade and player, it takes much time and effort.

Where can you sell Romex Wires scrap?

Romex wires and other housewires are one of the most commonly traded items at local scrap yards due to the presence of copper wires inside.

Having large quantities of Romex Wires Scrap?

Romex wires in bulk quantities are often generated by renovations and repairs to existing buildings, as it has been the most common type of wire used in residential applications.

What should you use instead?

MC cable can be used indoors and outdoors because the ground wire is an insulated THHN THWN wire as well. The common use for MC cable is indoors because it can be used without conduit for a much easier installation.

Why not just run THHN THWN wires individually?

You can. Depending on the current copper prices we’ll sometimes push our customers in that direction because the cost of all 4 electrical wires are cheaper than the cable. However, sometimes the cable is cheaper as well.

Is Romex wire used for residential wiring?

Romex wiring is mainly employed in residential wiring, although it’s still possible to achieve the task using conduit or metallic sheathed cables. The wire comes with several benefits that make it the most prevalent wiring option for homeowners.

What is a romex cable?

Romex is an NM type of cable having non-metallic sheathing and is commonly used for residential wiring purposes. It's the cable you'll likely use to wire your house. Below are NEC regulations that apply to Romex: 1 Romex cables should be clamped, protected, and secured on junction boxes, fixtures, and device boxes. 2 The use of devices that might damage cables, including overdriven staples and bent nails, isn't permitted. 3 It would be best if you secured NMC and NM cables at maximum intervals of 4½ feet. It's also critical that they remain safe within 12-inches of panels and junction boxes. 4 Romex wiring is permanent wiring in houses and shouldn't be employed as extension cords and appliance wiring substitutes.

Can you cut BX armor?

Even if you don’t have a BX cutting tool, it’s still possible to rip and cut the BX armor. Then, you can proceed to cut the outer BX armor using a hacksaw and a strong pair of pliers or wire snippers.

What is the outer sheathing on a Romex cable?

The outer sheathing for a Romex cable is a 30 mil-thick PVC jacket that protects and bundles individual wire conductors. The sheathing is very tough to offer maximum protection. It is beneficial to withstanding the stress impacted on the sheathing when you pull the cable through holes.

Where does the name Romex come from?

Romex comes from “Rome Cable Corp. of Rome, New York,” which produced the cable for the first time. The company was among the leading producers of cables until 2003, when it filed for bankruptcy.

Can you use Romex wire outside?

There are certain cases where you can’t use a Romex wire, such as outdoor environments or where the cable is exposed above the foundation walls. The electrical codes require conduit installations in such instances.

What is the difference between BX and Romex?

The main difference in BX and Romex is the outer protective covering. Otherwise modern BX and Romex both have a positive, neutral and ground wire. In BX, the ground wire has a plastic protective sheathing where in Romex the copper wire is bare.