Use of non-metallic sheathed cable in home wiring

Electrical wire is used for carrying electrical current from the power source to the end user piece of equipment, similar to an outlet or light. This wire is actually a conductor, but is referred to as wire in most cases. In general, there are three different styles of wire. Among the cable conductors, orange circular cable is widely used for the business and industrial plants.

Commonly two different types of cables are used. Nonmetallic sheathed cable has two or more shield conductors and generally a bare ground wire. They are all draped in an outer shielding plastic covering. In home wiring non-metallic sheathed cable will always be installed, the outer sheath color specifies the wire gauge or size and amperage rating of the wire within.

Most non-metallic cable is enclosed with different colored wire sheathed to create easy recognition for both consumers and inspectors. This color coding of the wire covering is severely voluntary, but most manufacturers have followed suit in producing such a color scheme. The five fundamental color schemes used largely in home construction are,

  • White
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Black
  • Gray

These colors are the standard color of the insulating housing that wraps the insulated and non-insulated individual wires inside. In fact, black is used twice, but it is used for two diverse wire gauges. The white color-coded wire is used for Lighting circuits are usually the primary use of this sized wire. Yellow color-coded wire is generally used for power outlets and appliances. The orange circular cable is used to include the appliances like conditioner, water heater feeds and so on. As with every one of non-metallic sheathed cable, the outer jacket labels with letters that demonstrate how many insulated wires are covered within the covering so that it would be easy to identify.