whats the difference between 8-2 and 8-3 wire and are they interchangable?

Answer 1

8-2 is a hot and neutral conductor with ground and 8-3 is 2hot conductor and neutral with ground primarily used in 220 applications. You can't use 8-2 instead of 8-3 but you can use 8-3 instead of 8-2 you just won't use one of the wires.

Answer 2

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whats the difference between 8-2 and 8-3 wire and are they interchangable?

Answer 3

The #8 means gage, the lower the number, the heavier the wire. Drawing power generates heat. The greater the draw, the greater the heat. That's why you have different gages. A light switch in you bedroom only needs a 14/2. Your hot tub may need a 6/3. The 2 means a black, white and ground. The 3 means a black, white, red and ground. The extra wire is used in 220 volt situations generally or for 3 way switching. They are used in different applications. You can use the 3 in a 2 wire application by not using the red but why pay more for the wire. You cannot use 2 where 3 is needed.

Answer 4

First number indicates the gauge of the wire (smaller the number the bigger the wire) 8 gauge wire can handle 40 amp. The second number indicates the how many insulated wires are in the cable. 8-2 has a black, white and bare copper wire, 8-3 has black, red, white, and bare copper. You use a 3 wire when you need a separate neutral and ground in a 220 volt application such as with a new clothes dryer, new electric range, or electric sub-panel. Other appliances, like a water heater can combine a neutral and ground.

Answer 5

8-2 Wire

Answer 6

The 8 stands for the gage of wire. The 2 means 2 wire the 3 means 3 wire. Sometimes the ground is not counted in the wire count depending on if the salesperson knows what they are talking about or not. You always want the 3 wire combination including the ground.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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