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I’m doing some minor electrical work to my mother in laws new house. The current project is replacing/updating some kitchen lighting, and installing a new bathroom exhaust fan with lights.
The house was built in the late 60s, and all the wiring is 12 gauge. However, the new 12 gauge wire is considerably smaller than the 12 gauge I have removed. What’s up with that?!?! Both 12 gauge, yet it’s obvious the new stuff is smaller, both insulation and conductor.
12 gauge is for 20 amp circuits- usually outlets, etc. 14 gauge is usually for lights- 15 amp. But if you already have 12 gauge for your lights then continue with it, cuz if you were to connect 14 ga to existing 12 ga and a overload would happen-or circuit is on s 20 amp breaker, the 14 gauge could become a "fusible link" - and get hot- like in our Olds. I am not a electrician but I have to believe that todays 12 ga is rated for 20 amps still.
New Romex is also color coded to gauge like an Olds engine to displacement.
Wire Ampacity Size Table | Encore Wire Corporation https://share.google/E8SnglSyy8NgZNDzD
Matt- our house was built in 71 and has something similar. We took down all of the paneling to replace with sheet rock and found the whole house done in a very thick 12 gauge "romex" It also had a black almost rubbery jacket instead of the standard yellow.
Last edited by mattking; May 13, 2026 at 05:22 AM.
The old wiring is definitely copper. Most of it had white insulation, some was black.
I noticed the wire covering has changed colors. Last time I did major electrical work white was 14 gauge, yellow was 12, orange was 10. My first trip to the hardware store I noticed some new colors.
There was wire, usually 2 conductor, that was a black, tarry insulation with silver paint that usually was somewhat gone. That was the original Romex; it dates from the 20s or so until later. It replaced cloth wrapped **** and tube.
There was wire, usually 2 conductor, that was a black, tarry insulation with silver paint that usually was somewhat gone. That was the original Romex; it dates from the 20s or so until later. It replaced cloth wrapped **** and tube.
My first house had that kind of wire. It was built in the early 60s. Most of the house was wired with a ground, there were a few receptacles that had plain 2 conductor.
There was wire, usually 2 conductor, that was a black, tarry insulation with silver paint that usually was somewhat gone. That was the original Romex; it dates from the 20s or so until later. It replaced cloth wrapped **** and tube.
I purchased & renovated a Polish raised flat (Milwaukee, WI) built 1899 which had K&T wiring. Lots of work upgrading to 3-wire - which I did myself w/ pulled permits.
