Can I use 10 guage Romex Wire to rewire my WHOLE house. ?

Question

I want to rewire my house. The wiring right now makes no sence and is inefficient. Can I use 10 guage ROMEX wire to rewire the whole house? I am looking at buying a 1000 ft roll of ROMEX wire for this project and would like to use only the 10 gauge ROMEX. Is their a code that says I cannot do that? Most 110 line is either 12 or 14 gauge wire. This is why I am asking.

Answer 1

As has already been said 14 Gauge/ 15 Amps. 12 gauge/20 amps. 10 30 amps.
To start with the 10 gauge will cost nearly twice as much.
Next is useing it. Some one said it was harder to use. That is a gross understatement. It is a monster to install in a receptical, even if there is only one wire in it. If you have two or more wires in the same box, it can be next door to imposible. You will end up with bad connections because it is so stiff you can't get it in the box without bending it several times and the wires will work loose from the wire nut while trying to do so.
Plus most recepitcals are only rated at 15 amps, unless you go to the 2 and 3 dollar 20 amp recepticals and that is the largest you can get for normal appliances.
I always use 12/2 w/grn. for recepticals and 14/2 w/grn for lights, even if there is a ceiling fan because it doesn't draw much juice.
If you want to upgrade to the best you can get, use what I said and buy the 20 amp recpticals.
I do put in 20 amps in certain places. Over the kitchen cabs., bath, basement, and garages. Everywhere else gets the contractor grade which is only something like 39 cents each.
12/2 is plenty good for a house and will carry all the amps anything will use for the household.
Anything that uses more than that will be 220/240 volt.
As far as the code goes, you can always use a larger wire for a smaller circuit, but that doesn't make it the best choise. If you go with the 10 gauge, I hope you have some really strong arms, because I hate wireing a drier, dishwasher, etc. that are designed for it. I'll never attempt to pull a regular circuit again with 10 gauge and yes, I have did it because that is all I had on hand, but never again.

Answer 2

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RE:
Can I use 10 guage Romex Wire to rewire my WHOLE house. ?
I want to rewire my house. The wiring right now makes no sence and is inefficient. Can I use 10 guage ROMEX wire to rewire the whole house? I am looking at buying a 1000 ft roll of ROMEX wire for this project and would like to use only the 10 gauge ROMEX. Is their a code that says I cannot do that?...

Answer 3

You might want to check to make sure the #10 wire will fit under the screws of switches and outlets before installing the wire.

You might not be able to put a 30 Amp breaker just because you installed #10 wire because the light switches and outlets are rated for 15 or 20 Amps.

Look at getting 1000 ft of #12, it should be much cheaper than #10.

Answer 4

It would be great for carrying the amps, but impractical.
The wire is almost too big to insert into receptacles.
Try bending and attaching a piece of 10 gauge to a receptacle before you purchase a big roll. It can be done but it's harder.
I personally think 10 guage would be more efficient, it would lose less energy, especially over longer distances. I wish they would make those receptacles and other terminating ends bigger so we could use a bigger wire.

Answer 5

Romex Wiring

Answer 6

You can pick up a paperback copy of the National Electrical Codebook at Graingers , maybe home depot., maybe online
Did some DIY wiring w/ advice from pro friend.
Used 14 & 12ga.
Only comment I will make as a non pro is that 12 ga is stiff enough to take the "fun " out of installing more than a few receptacles.etc.
Imagine 10ga
Good luck

Answer 7

10 awg romex would work great, but it's overkill. long length in a conductor causes resistance in a wire, not the cross sectional area. so 10 awg has less resistance than 12 awg because the cross sectional area is larger.

it would be a waste of time and money to install. 10 awg is more expensive, and it's a lot harder to work with. use 12 awg and invest in a good quality panel that is large enough for your needs.

one thing to remember is that you can't just treat every circuit like a 30 amp circuit because you ran 10 awg wire. your circuits will still be rated at 15 or 20 amps because the receptacles, breakers, lugs, terminals and fixtures are still only rated for the smaller amperage.

another thing to remember is that you need to allow for bigger box volumes. according to code 12 awg requires 2.25 cu. in. per conductor, and 10 awg requires 2.5 cu. in. you may end up replacing every junction box in your house to stay within code requirements.

If you decide you still want to wire your house with 10 awg, let me give you some suggestions.
1. make sure your 10 awg is stranded if you can find it. stranded conductor is much easier to work with than solid.
2. you'll also find it a lot easier to use 12 awg pigtail jumpers when wiring. this way you can run 10 awg to your box, and then use wire nuts to connect a short piece of 12 awg to wire the device.
3. learn how to use switch loops when wiring, you'll save wire length. which will also save you money.

Answer 8

You can and there is no code says you cant. Question is why would you?
14/2 is 15 amp service and 12/2 is 20 amp. 10/2 is for 30 amp use.
Unless you change the breakers to 30 amp, it wont make any diff.
But thats not the answer either. If you overpower a circuit then the appliance or fixture on that circuit will just overheat and burn up instead of tripping the breaker.
If that happens, just be certain that your home-owners is paid up to date and dont notify your agent until the house is fully engaged in flames.

Answer 9

There is no code that I'm aware of, but it is overkill. 12ga. wire is rated for 20 amps which would only be required in places like your kitchen. That being the case it is more than adequate for your general 15 amp power and lighting circuits. 10 gauge is rated for 30 amp which would be required cicuits that are dedicated in their use, such as a water heater or a oven. Using mostly 12 ga. would be more economical as well.

Answer 10

I'm a carpenter not an electrician, but I know this is overkill and only if the price is that great. By the time you finish bending the wires around all your receptacles, you'll be swearing if you don't now. It's murder. It's really hard you #10. The price would have to be better than great.
Check you codes and go for it.