Why use romex

For above-ground applications, MC cable can be installed without a conduit. For indoor applications, Romex must be installed in an enclosed space. You might install it within a wall, inside a ceiling or under a floor. Depending on the needs of the application, this may be done with or without conduit.

However, if the installation is out in the open, the Romex wire must be run through a conduit. MC conduit does not require these considerations and can be installed in enclosed or open spaces. In addition to these considerations, make sure you comply with the NEC first before you initiate a wiring project. Looking to those codes can help guide your choice in wiring and save you trouble in the long run. We carry a wide range of Romex wire , all sourced from the most reliable manufacturers in the industry.

We buy from manufacturers like Southwire, meaning we sell quality products directly from the source. We are also able to provide these products at the lowest price.

All of our wires are color-coded according to size, but you can also request specific colors for orders of 50, feet or more. As for our copper MC cable offerings , Wesbell Electronics offers a range of sizes and configurations to meet the needs of practically any application. Each size comes with two to four conductors and an additional ground wire. We also carry cables made of solid, stranded and bare copper to meet unique application needs.

With any of our cable offerings, you can purchase by the foot to get any length of cable you need for your project. For over 30 years, Wesbell has been dedicated to providing quality bulk wire, cable and tubing products. We offer high-quality Romex wire and copper MC cables in a range of sizes and configurations to meet your unique needs.

We can also save you time with assembly and processing services, including cutting, stripping and twisting. Browse our products to learn more about our Romex and MC cable options, or contact us today!

Our Services. Romex vs. What Is MC Cable? Some of the unique features of MC cable include: Sheathing: This cable type is defined by the metal sheathing surrounding the insulated wires. Typically consisting of aluminum, this cable sheath covers the wires in an interlocking configuration to allow for flexibility and coverage.

Wires: MC cables contain three wires minimum — two are conductor wires and one is a ground wire. Of the conductors, one is a hot conductor and the other is a neutral conductor. An MC cable may contain more than one hot conductor. These coatings insulate wires to make them suitable for various MC cable applications.

However, one notable difference is that UF-B cables have a more durable outer sheath that makes them suitable for underground and outdoor applications. We discuss THHN wires in more detail below. This THHN ground means you can use this cable in conduit or outdoors because moisture cannot reach bare copper.

Indoor applications: THHN cables are somewhat inflexible, so they are often bundled together in indoor applications to facilitate installation and planning. Due to its conductive insulation and volt rating, this wire can be used for a wide variety of appliances ranging from garbage disposals to water heaters. THHN is also resistant to water, oil, grease and other machine byproducts, so you can safely use it for industrial applications.

High-heat resistance: THHN wires are rated for as high as 90 degrees Celsius, meaning they are appropriate for most building types. Nylon coating: A nylon jacket wraps around the wire, protecting it from cuts and abrasions as well as destructive agents such as chemicals, oil and water.

The larger sizes are suitable for stoves, hot tubs, dryers and other similar appliances. Larger sizes: The largest THHN cables are typically used to bring power from the street to an electrical box in a home or other building. THHN vs. One electrician might choose a cheaper brand to save money, while another might prefer Romex. There poses no problem, as the various brands of NM cable can be mixed in the same electrical system or even in the same circuit.

NM wiring is very common in residential wiring, but it is also possible to wire a home using metallic sheathed cable or conduit. NM wiring has many advantages that make it the most popular type of wiring, especially for homeowners. With all factors considered, do-it-yourself electricians will find their projects easier and cheaper to complete when using NM wiring. NM wiring presents a huge amount of advantages to the do-it-yourselfers, as opposed to other materials.

There are situations in which NM cable cannot be used, such as outdoors with the exception of UF-type cable, which is rated for direct burial or when wiring is exposed along the face of foundation walls.

In these instances, the electrical code calls for conduit installations. This cable also needs to have some sort of protection in certain applications, or when not inside a wall. It also cannot be used above drop ceilings in light commercial applications. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Similarly, NM attached to the face of concrete walls is susceptible to damage and thus is not allowed. One approved way to run wiring across exposed surfaces is to mount an approved rigid conduit across the framing members or wall, then run individual THNN conductor wires inside the conduit. Such wiring is well protected against physical damage.

The citation from the National Electrical Code is as follows:. The most common type of conduit is known as electrical metallic tubing EMT , but other types of conduit are also used, including flexible metal conduit FMC , intermediate metal conduit IMC , which is sturdier and offers more resistance to corrosion, plastic conduit PVC , most often used underground, and rigid metallic conduit RMC , the heaviest gauge available.

The electrical conduit is designed for use with specific types of individual conductor wires. The most common wires are THHN wires, which are individual copper conducting wires with a color-coded, heat-resistant plastic insulation around them. The National Electrical Code has specific regulations for how many conductor wires can fit within a conduit of each diameter size:.

If an electrical inspector has flagged NM cable that has been run incorrectly, you might be tempted to install the conduit, then reuse the same NM cable by running it through the new conduit. This is a subject of some debate among electricians. Some pros argue that NM cable inside conduit may be susceptible to heat build-up and is therefore not allowed.

Others take a more lenient view. While the National Electrical Code does not expressly forbid inserting NM cable inside conduit, it is, in practice, very difficult to do so and very few professional electricians will do such an installation.