What is 12/3 NM-B cable used for?

It carries 20-amp branch circuits indoors: kitchen counter outlets, laundry, garage and shop wiring. The third conductor lets you run two circuits sharing a neutral or a 240-volt load.

Can it be used outdoors or underground?

No. It is for dry indoor locations and is not rated for wet spots or direct burial. Use UF cable for underground and wet runs.

Does it include a ground wire?

Yes. It has three insulated conductors plus a bare copper ground, so it wires a grounded circuit.

Is 12/3 better than 14/2?

It carries more current: 12-gauge supports 20-amp circuits, while 14-gauge is limited to 15 amps. Use 12/3 where the circuit needs 20 amps or a second hot conductor.

What does the 90°C rating mean?

The insulation is rated for conductor temperatures up to 90°C. Ampacity still depends on the breaker and installation conditions, so size the circuit to the code table.

WoBravo

147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow

Best price now

$104.86at WalmartChecked Nov 10

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

WoBravo

147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow

Best price now

$104.86at WalmartChecked Nov 10

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $104.86 at Walmart on Nov 10.

Our take on the 147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow

This is a 50-foot coil of 12/3 non-metallic sheathed copper cable with a bare ground wire, rated to 90°C. It is the standard branch-circuit cable for 20-amp runs in dry indoor spaces: outlets, switches, and small appliances. The 12-gauge copper carries more current than 14/2, so it suits kitchen and laundry circuits where 14-gauge would be undersized. It is not for wet locations, and the sheath is moisture resistant only in the sense of dry damp areas.

Best for20-amp branch circuits in homes and shopsKitchen, laundry and garage outlet runsDIYers wiring dry indoor walls and ceilingsSmall commercial and farm building wiring

Pros

12-gauge copper supports 20-amp circuits
Three conductors plus bare ground for multi-wire runs
90°C rated insulation
50-foot length covers most single-room runs
Solid copper is easy to strip and terminate

Cons

Not rated for wet locations
Stiff jacket is hard to pull through tight bends
Made in China, which some buyers avoid
No connectors or staples included

147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stockSold by WoBravo BasicsReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$104.86Free shippingChecked Nov 10
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About the 147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow

This is a 50-foot length of 12/3 non-metallic (NM-B) sheathed cable with a ground wire. The conductors are solid copper, and the cable is rated for 90 degrees Centigrade. It is sold as a cut length.

It is used for general wiring in homes, farm buildings, stores and shops. The cable is moisture resistant, but it should not be used in wet locations.

Length: 50 feet
Gauge: 12/3 with ground
Type: NM-B non-metallic sheathed cable, solid
Conductor: Copper
Temperature rating: 90 degrees Centigrade
Color: Yellow
Use: General wiring in homes, farm buildings, stores and shops; not for wet locations
Origin: Made in China

Specifications

color: YellowSource

Questions and answers

What is 12/3 NM-B cable used for?: It carries 20-amp branch circuits indoors: kitchen counter outlets, laundry, garage and shop wiring. The third conductor lets you run two circuits sharing a neutral or a 240-volt load.
Can it be used outdoors or underground?: No. It is for dry indoor locations and is not rated for wet spots or direct burial. Use UF cable for underground and wet runs.
Does it include a ground wire?: Yes. It has three insulated conductors plus a bare copper ground, so it wires a grounded circuit.
Is 12/3 better than 14/2?: It carries more current: 12-gauge supports 20-amp circuits, while 14-gauge is limited to 15 amps. Use 12/3 where the circuit needs 20 amps or a second hot conductor.
What does the 90°C rating mean?: The insulation is rated for conductor temperatures up to 90°C. Ampacity still depends on the breaker and installation conditions, so size the circuit to the code table.
Where is the 147-1603BR 50-Feet 12/3 NM-B Solid with Ground Wire, Yellow cheapest?: At Walmart, for $104.86, as of our latest check.

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