10/2 NM-B Wire with Ground vs 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground
Buy the 10/2 NM-B for 30-amp, 240-volt circuits that need no neutral, such as water heaters, baseboard heaters and window AC units. Buy the 8/3 NM-B for 40-amp circuits and for 240-volt loads that need a neutral, such as a range or dryer. The 10/2 is solid copper and easier to bend and strip; owners call it easy to work with. The 8/3 carries more current and has a third conductor, but its 8 AWG conductors are stranded, so it is stiffer to pull and needs larger boxes and connectors.
- Choose the 10/2 NM-B if you are wiring a 30-amp, 240-volt circuit that does not need a neutral, like a water heater or baseboard heater.
- Choose the 8/3 NM-B if you need a 40-amp circuit or a 240-volt circuit that requires a neutral, like a range or dryer.
Prices
- 10/2 NM-B Wire with Ground: $1.44 at NassauNationalCable (last seen Nov 10)
- 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground: $293.91 at Testing Developer Store (last seen Nov 9)
- Difference: the 10/2 NM-B Wire with Ground is $292.47 cheaper than the 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
