Posted: 10/11/2015 8:18:40 PM EDT
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Just a heads up...
Wire prices are down. If you need something copper for stock or a project, the prices for wire we've got now may never be seen again. On the other hand, maybe not... 
Here's an example: 500 feet of #8 THHN that cost ~$200 only 4 years ago IIRC, is now available at Lowes and H-D -according to ther web sites yesterday... For ~$120. 
Almost a 40% price cut in several years. |
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Quoted:
Just for my knowledge, what is the application that people use the single strand wire for? Seems like you see romex type cable with 2 or 3 conductors everywhere. It's used inside conduit primarily. It's useful for all kinds of solar and alternative power applications, to-code and not to code. Folks who plan on some of this should be considering buying it now, because it's unlikely it will be this cheap again. |
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its cheaper now because the price of copper has dropped off.
wire is mostly made of copper and the price very closer follows the price of copper. by the way, lowes and other big box stores are often the best places to get wire in these smaller sizes. they have some of the best prices, just due to sheer volume. they almost always beat the prices of local electrical distributors for the stuff they sell. |
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Quoted:
Just for my knowledge, what is the application that people use the single strand wire for? Seems like you see romex type cable with 2 or 3 conductors everywhere. presumably you mean single conductor wire, not single strand. Romex is mostly used in residential construction because it is relatively cheap and requires no conduit. Most commercial and virtually all industrial work is done in conduit so there is no reason to spend the extra money to buy Romex and run it through conduit. There are a fair number of places (Chicago being one) where Romex is not allowed, even in residential work (with a few minor exceptions IIRC). |
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Quoted: Just for my knowledge, what is the application that people use the single strand wire for? Seems like you see romex type cable with 2 or 3 conductors everywhere. Romex is not to be exposed or accessible. Meaning its OK to put it in the wall, but not on the surface. Also, Romex is not to be installed inside conduit. The existing sheathing and the conduit doesn't allow for air circulation and the wire can get too hot under load. I question this but thats the code. Most industrial commercial electrical is done in conduit. Its easier to surface mount the conduit and its easier to change if equipment or tenant changes. |
| What's the best all around gauge that will fit the bill for most applications? I realize a bigger gauge is better but obviously more expensive, say just from a prepping stand point to have some on hand for varies tasks what would be the best bang for the buck 12 gauge? |
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Quoted: What's the best all around gauge that will fit the bill for most applications? I realize a bigger gauge is better but obviously more expensive, say just from a prepping stand point to have some on hand for varies tasks what would be the best bang for the buck 12 gauge? 12-2 is good for a 20 amp circuit, usually an outlet circuit. 14-2 is good for a 15 amp circuit, usually a lighting circuit. 10 gauge is generally a 30 amp rating. |
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So maybe dishing out the extra cash for 10 awg would be worth it to cover a wide range of situations..... I'll start keeping my eyes out for it being on sale, if nothing else menards runs 11% of everything at least once every other month if not more I bought 2 roils of #8 for solar applications... Like I think, we'll never see prices like this again. |
| In a situation that you don't have access to getting new wire but you need a bigger gauge could you twist the ends of two of the same gauge to allow it to more? I'm not talking about doing this is normal repairs situations I'm just saying if you had to could it be done? |
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Quoted:
In a situation that you don't have access to getting new wire but you need a bigger gauge could you twist the ends of two of the same gauge to allow it to more? I'm not talking about doing this is normal repairs situations I'm just saying if you had to could it be done? Yep. Connecting two wires of the same gauge in parallel gives you roughly the same current-carrying capacity as a single wire that is three gauges lower. Example: 12 gauge + 12 gauge = 9 gauge Incidentally, Monoprice has excellent prices on low-voltage power wire (sold as "speaker wire"). |
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Quoted:Also, Romex is not to be installed inside conduit. The existing sheathing and the conduit doesn't allow for air circulation and the wire can get too hot under load. I question this but that's the code Rancher |
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Yep. Connecting two wires of the same gauge in parallel gives you roughly the same current-carrying capacity as a single wire that is three gauges lower. Example: 12 gauge + 12 gauge = 9 gauge Incidentally, Monoprice has excellent prices on low-voltage power wire (sold as "speaker wire"). Quoted:
Quoted:
In a situation that you don't have access to getting new wire but you need a bigger gauge could you twist the ends of two of the same gauge to allow it to more? I'm not talking about doing this is normal repairs situations I'm just saying if you had to could it be done? Yep. Connecting two wires of the same gauge in parallel gives you roughly the same current-carrying capacity as a single wire that is three gauges lower. Example: 12 gauge + 12 gauge = 9 gauge Incidentally, Monoprice has excellent prices on low-voltage power wire (sold as "speaker wire"). If you're doing it off the grid, you could run "parallel" conductors that small. In theory, two #12 wires can carry the same amount of current as a #8. But when we start getting more than a pair of current carrying conductors in a conduit, we need to reduce the amount of current we have each wire carry. Keeps us from letting all the smoke out of the wire. But the Code says we can't run parallel conductors unless they're at least 1/0 in size. The exception is conductors for control circuits. 334.15(B) says we could put Romex in conduit... but why? Pulling it would suck. |
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I'm not getting those prices online!
Quoted:
Just a heads up... Wire prices are down. If you need something copper for stock or a project, the prices for wire we've got now may never be seen again. On the other hand, maybe not...
Here's an example: 500 feet of #8 THHN that cost ~$200 only 4 years ago IIRC, is now available at Lowes and H-D -according to ther web sites yesterday... For ~$120.
Almost a 40% price cut in several years. |
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Quoted:
I'm not getting those prices online! Quoted:
I'm not getting those prices online! Quoted:
Just a heads up... Wire prices are down. If you need something copper for stock or a project, the prices for wire we've got now may never be seen again. On the other hand, maybe not...
Here's an example: 500 feet of #8 THHN that cost ~$200 only 4 years ago IIRC, is now available at Lowes and H-D -according to ther web sites yesterday... For ~$120.
Almost a 40% price cut in several years. Need to get more SeachFu...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-500-ft-8-Stranded-THHN-Black-Cable-20488312/202316337 Southwire Model # 20488312 Internet # 202316337 Store SKU # 320382 500 ft. 8 Stranded THHN Black Cable $128 Same at Lowes. Most on-line vendors don't have the turn over for wire the big box stores have. Therefore they have to find a sucker to buy it or sell at a loss... Usually I can beat the box stores on eBay for a lot of items... The eBay Seller's are WAY over H-D and Lowes' prices ---for this specific material... |
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Quoted:
In a situation that you don't have access to getting new wire but you need a bigger gauge could you twist the ends of two of the same gauge to allow it to more? I'm not talking about doing this is normal repairs situations I'm just saying if you had to could it be done? Absolutely, see Ski's post. |
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Check eBay Sellers for best price there and look at 'SOLD' auctions for the best going $ Then compare to the box stores... Quoted:
Quoted:
Was thinking about getting some 4/4 SOOW cable for a generator lead cord Check eBay Sellers for best price there and look at 'SOLD' auctions for the best going $ Then compare to the box stores... I don't think box stores have it in stock. I can probably special order but thats usually more $ |