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The Importance of Understanding Common Types of House Wiring

When performing certain home improvements, you’ll likely encounter the property’s wiring to some degree. For instance, you might need to find the source of an electrical problem or remodel the property to transform a room or increase your livable space. These tasks can affect your wiring.

All residential wiring must adhere to the National Electrical Code as well as Marshfield ordinances. Failing to do so could result in power fluctuations, insufficient energy, or a devastating electrical fire.

Knowing what type of electrical wire is used in homes will help prevent these problems. It’ll also ensure your electrical system will pass inspection should you decide to sell your house.

Electric Cables and Electric Wires

Typical home wiring materials fall into two categories: electric cables and electrical wires. Though many use these terms interchangeably, they’re not the same in the context of home wiring.

Electrical wires are individual conductors within a jacket that conduct electricity. They can be bare, insulated, and consist of any conducive material. Cables refer to wiring with two or more electrical wires in one jacket.

Color Codes for Cable Sheaths

The colors of the sheaths protecting residential cables represent specific sizes and amperages:

White represents a 14-gauge wire with a 15-amp circuit
Yellow represents a 12-gauge wire with a 20-amp circuit
Orange represents a 10-gauge wire with a 30-amp circuit
Black represents a six or 8-gauge wire with either 60 or 45-amp circuits

Nonmetallic Cables

The recommended electrical wire for homes is the nonmetal cable. NM cables contain at least three separate conductors and a ground wire or two conductors and a ground wire in a flexible sheath. They’re almost everywhere in residential properties. These cables are color-coded and suitable enough to power everything from outlets to appliances.

General lighting switches and outlets use 14-2 NM cables with a maximum 15-amp circuit. Split receptacles and three-way switches use 14-3 NM cables with a 15-amp circuit. You can usually find 12-2 NM cables in kitchens, garages, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, providing power to 20-amp receptacles.

60227 IEC 01 STANDARD 450/750V BV BVR 6491X H07V-U H07V-R NYA BUILDING WIRE

Underground Feeder Cables

If you encounter gray wires underground around your property’s exterior, you’re looking at underground feeder cables. The cable’s gauge and circuit details would be on the sheath label. This kind of residential cable powers outdoor lighting, detached garages, and other exterior buildings.

Color Codes for Home Wiring

Like cables, electrical wiring comes in different color sheaths to tell you what the wires represent. There are several colors to learn, but the most common ones in houses are the ones below:

Green: Green is for ground wires if a ground fault is present. They give a path for the current to flow back to the breaker and turn off the electricity if there’s a short circuit.
White: White wires are neutral. They complete the electrical circuit and return the current to the electrical panel.
Black and Red: The most dangerous wires in the home have black or red jackets. They carry a live current from the electrical panel to a receptacle, appliance, switch, or another device or appliance.

Household Electrical Cable Types for Low-Voltage Wiring

Not all wiring around your home runs power circuits. Circuits requiring less than 50 volts will use low-voltage wiring. This wiring may have a cable sheathing range between 12 and 22 gauges.

You may use low-voltage wiring in applications like: