Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I look at a lot of old homes up in the mountains and the service conductors hardly ever have any marks on them. For a while I carried plastic guages, but my understanding now is that because of improved manufacturing methods, conductors rated at a particular amperage have shrunk in diameter. How do you rate 'em? I’ve just been disclaiming them, stating “Unable to determine rating, no markings visible on the service conductors”.
Originally Posted By: fbartlo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The best approach I could think of would be to carry samples of newer wire in the common gauges, and “eyeball” it. Also, if in doubt about whether or not a NM wire is 12 or 14 gauge if unable to see enough of the stripped end to tell, I like to bend the wire a bit. 14 gqauge bends much more easily, as you’ve undoubtedly noticed if you’ve done much work with 12 gauge wire on circuits.
Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I don’t really have much trouble with the branch wiring, Frank. It’s service conductors of various ages coming into the main panel that I have trouble with. Seems like finding marks on them is the exception.
Originally Posted By: fbartlo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
almost always unmarked. The way you’re writing them up seems reasonable to me, Kenton. Is there anywhere you can find samples of old #4, #6, and #8 stranded service wire?
Also, pay attention to the cues you get from old appliance circuits, which usually have #6 stranded for stove circuits and either #10 solid or #8 stranded for dryers. I've renovated many older houses, and generally found older circuits to be better protected than newer ones...
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
When I was inspecting I carried a plastic caliper that I used to measure conductors. Northern Tool sells one. It had a metal wire “depth guage” but I cut it off so the whole thing was plastic.