Best Type of Wire for House Wiring
There are, perhaps, hundreds of available electrical wires and cables for residential buildings, but they are not created equal. When it comes to wiring private homes, some electrical cables are used way more than others because they fit modern houses' requirements better and are easier to install. Since the house wiring requirements are consistent, you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time you install a new wire in the home. Care to know which wires to expect in your private house? Look through our list of the best wire for house wiring.
Romex Non-Metallic Wire
Romex or NM wire is the most prevalent type of electrical wire used in homes since the 2nd half of the 20th century. Please note that while it shines in private houses, it is not used in residential houses that exceed three stores. Therefore, you are not likely to find NM wire in your apartment unless it is a very short building.
As a rule, this cable is designed for interior uses, including switches, lighting, and electronics, such as refrigerators, heaters, and coolers. NM wires typically have three conductors and a three-branch circuit that includes a live wire, a ground wire, and a neutral wire. Romex cables typically run through walls in a house. Sizes 14 to 6 are the most commonly used by homeowners because they fit the characteristics needed in standard homes. Each size is color-coded with a distinctive color. Essentially, most of your private house is powered with NM wire. However, some of the larger high-power appliances call for different types of cabling.
Underground Feeder UF Cable
While NM wire fits most of your interior purposes, a private house also calls for a non-metallic outdoor cable that can survive water, weather, heat, and abrasion. The most common cable used for this purpose in a private home is an underground feeder cable. Just like NM, UF cable has a ground, a neutral, and a hot wire. However, an underground feeder cable can sustain a lot of wear and tear that Romex wire simply cannot. The key to this ability is a solid plastic sheathing that surrounds the cable. Aside from outdoor purposes, this type of cable is also used for circuit wiring.
Metal Clad Cables/ THHN/THWN Wire
Every house owner knows that unfinished spaces, such as an attic, basement, or garage, can be problematic when it comes to wiring. In these areas, you would need a sturdier and a more durable cable with a thicker external jacket. Two alternatives to opt for are metal-clad cable and THHN/THWN wire. Both cables are well protected from physical damage that dangerous areas may entail. In the home, metal-clad cables are used in interior applications, including feeders, branch curcuits, and several elements of the main electrical panel, such as subpanels, lighting circuits, and individual outlets. These cables have galvanized steel armor that helps to proteсt them from most types of influence in the incomplete parts of the building.
THHN/THWN Wire is additionally protected by a metal or plastic conduit, and it has a more extensive list of uses in a typical house. For instance, it is suitable for heaters and garbage disposal units. THHN/THWN cables can survive the heat and moist conditions. A nylon covering adds an additional layer of protection to these cables. Unlike other cables represented on this list, THHN/THWN is a single conductor wire. Each of the wires can be hot, neutral, or a ground one. The cables are color-coded according to their specific role in a circuit.
Low-Voltage Cables
While a typical circuit in the house is 110-120 volts, there are also 50-volt circuits that call for special wiring. In modern homes, low-voltage cables are used for this purpose. They are typically utilized in small household objects that require minimum electricity, such as irrigation sprinklers, bell wires, and the majority of thermostats within the house. Common sizing for these wires in a home is between 12 AWG and 22 AWG. Low-voltage cables can be distinguished by their small size compared to standard wires. They should never be used in circuits that exceed 50 volts. Though there are not many risks associated with these cables, they are still insulated or sheathed for increased protection.
Other Types of Wire Used in Private Homes
While the wires mentioned above constitute most of the wiring found in a private house, you may find more types of cables in a home. Some of them, like phone wire and coaxial cables, are used less and less because they are no longer relevant, while others, such as HDMI and fiber optic data cables, continue gaining more prominence. Aluminum service entrance cables are sometimes used in break panels.
If you are starting a house project from scratch, the number of cables you have to get can be overwhelming. Luckily, you can find everything you need in one place. At Nassau National Cable, we sell all types of wire popular in private homes. You can choose options from different manufacturers on our website at some of the best prices on the market.
