Wire & cable
Wire, gauge & cable
14, 12 or 10 AWG — and which cable is legal where.
Wire, gauge & cable
Gauge runs backwards: the smaller the number, the thicker the wire and the more current it carries. Match the wire to the breaker — never the other way around.
| Gauge | Typical breaker | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 18 / 16 AWG | Low voltage | Doorbells, thermostats, landscape lighting |
| 14 AWG | 15 amp | General lighting and bedroom/living room receptacles |
| 12 AWG | 20 amp | Kitchen, bath, laundry, garage and outdoor receptacles |
| 10 AWG | 30 amp | Water heaters, some A/C air handlers, dryer sub-feeds |
| 8 / 6 AWG | 40–55 amp | Ranges, large A/C units, sub-panel feeds |
Which cable goes where
NM-B (Romex)
Dry, indoor, inside walls. Never outdoors or underground.
UF-B
Direct burial and wet locations — the one to use for that outdoor run.
THHN/THWN
Individual conductors pulled through conduit; THWN is rated wet.
SJTW cord
Portable and extension cord service, outdoor-rated jacket.
Low-voltage
Landscape lighting, doorbells, thermostats — 12V/24V systems.
We cut wire by the foot at the counter — bring the length you need, not the roll you don't.