Description
The 20-amp workhorse
12-2 NM-B is the cable you pull when the circuit has to carry 20 amps: kitchen small-appliance circuits, laundry, bathroom receptacles, garage and workshop outlets, and any general-purpose receptacle circuit you want on a 20-amp breaker instead of a 15.
The yellow jacket is not decoration — it is the industry color code for 12 AWG. Grab a yellow coil off the truck and you know it is 20-amp cable without reading the print. White is 14 AWG, orange is 10 AWG.
12-2 or 14-2?
| 12-2 (this coil) | 14-2 | |
| Conductor size | 12 AWG copper | 14 AWG copper |
| Breaker | 20 A | 15 A |
| Jacket color | Yellow | White |
| Typical use | Kitchen, laundry, bath, garage, shop receptacles | Lighting, bedroom receptacles |
| Pulling it | Stiffer — more work through tight bores | Easier to route |
If the circuit feeds counter-top receptacles, a laundry, or anything with a motor or a heating element, it belongs on 12-2. Never protect 12 AWG with anything larger than a 20-amp breaker, and never feed a 20-amp circuit with 14 AWG.
What is inside the jacket
- Two insulated 12 AWG solid copper conductors — black (hot) and white (neutral)
- One bare copper equipment grounding conductor
- Yellow PVC jacket, printed with size and type for inspection
This is Southwire Romex® Brand SIMpull® cable, so the jacket is built to slide through bored studs with less drag than older NM-B.
Specifications
| Type | NM-B (non-metallic sheathed cable), 600 V |
| Conductors | 2 insulated 12 AWG solid copper + bare copper ground |
| Ampacity | 20 A — 90°C rated conductors with ampacity limited to the 60°C column, per NEC Article 334 |
| Length | 50 ft coil |
| Jacket | Yellow (12 AWG industry color code) |
| Manufacturer part number | 28828222 |
| Shipping weight | 4 lb |
| Condition | New, factory coil |
Where it can go — and where it cannot
Yes:
- Normally dry interior locations, exposed or concealed
- Residential branch circuits for receptacles, switches and loads
- Air voids of masonry block or tile walls, provided those walls are not wet or damp
No:
- Wet or damp locations of any kind
- Direct burial or anywhere underground — that job needs UF-B cable
- Outdoors or exposed to weather
- Embedded in concrete or masonry fill
Where the cable runs exposed, it still has to be protected from physical damage. Local amendments vary, and some jurisdictions restrict NM-B by building type — confirm with your inspector before you rough in.
How far 50 feet actually goes
A 50 ft coil is a repair-and-add-a-circuit size, not a whole-house size. Measure the real path, not the straight line: up the wall, across the joist bays, down again.
- Panel to the first box on a short run: 25 to 40 ft is common — one coil covers it
- Adding two or three receptacles to an existing circuit: comfortably inside one coil
- A full kitchen small-appliance circuit: usually more than 50 ft once the path is honest
Budget extra beyond your measurement. Every box needs at least 6 in of free conductor, and drilling around obstacles never follows the tape measure. If the run is close to 50 ft, buy the next size up rather than splicing.
Contractor and volume pricing
Wiring a whole job or buying by the pallet? Call (832) 463-7946 or email sales@85builders.com with your quantity and the job-site ZIP code and we will send pricing the same business day.
We accept Texas resale certificates for tax-exempt purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What breaker does this go on?
A 20-amp breaker. 12 AWG copper is rated 20 A on the 60°C column, and that is the number that governs NM-B. Never put it behind a larger breaker.
Can I use 12-2 where 14-2 is called for?
Yes — heavier wire on a smaller breaker is always acceptable. The reverse never is. Many crews run 12-2 throughout to avoid mixing sizes on a job, accepting the extra cost and the stiffer pull.
Can I bury it or run it outside?
No. NM-B is dry-location cable. Underground or outdoor runs need UF-B, which has a solid moisture-resistant jacket built for it.
Does it include a ground?
Yes. “12/2 with ground” means two insulated conductors plus a bare copper equipment ground — three wires total in the jacket.
Is it copper or aluminum?
Solid copper, all three conductors.
Why is the jacket yellow?
Yellow is the industry color code for 12 AWG NM-B. It lets an inspector or another crew read the wire size across the room.
Can I run it exposed in a garage or basement?
The cable is rated for exposed or concealed work in dry locations, but exposed runs still have to be protected from physical damage. Your inspector has the final say on what qualifies.
Do I need a permit?
Most jurisdictions require a permit for new circuits, and many require a licensed electrician. Check with your local authority before starting — it is cheaper than a failed inspection.
How fast does it ship?
We ship next business day from Cypress, TX.
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