What is Romex?
Romex is a trademarked brand name for nonmetallic (NM) sheathed electrical cable commonly used in residential wiring installations. It contains individual THHN conductors wrapped in a plastic outer sheath and is available in gauges from 14 AWG to 2 AWG.
The term "Romex" refers to nonmetallic sheathed cable, commonly abbreviated as NM cable. While Romex is technically a brand name owned by Southwire, electricians and builders often use it generically to describe any NM cable product used in residential construction throughout the Southeast, including Spartanburg-area homes.
NM cable consists of two or more individual conductors bundled together and protected by an outer plastic sheath. It typically comes in gauges ranging from 14 AWG for standard lighting circuits up to 2 AWG for heavier loads. The most common residential applications include 14/2 and 12/2 configurations, which carry two conductors plus a bare ground wire in a single sheathing.
Romex cable runs through walls, along joists, and inside conduit throughout a home's electrical system. It connects circuit breakers in the main panel to outlets, switches, and fixtures, making it fundamental to how electricity reaches every room. Unlike metal-sheathed or conduit-based systems, NM cable is favored in residential work for its flexibility, ease of installation, and lower cost.
Familiarity with NM cable specifications, proper routing, and code compliance is essential for residential electricians in South Carolina, where the National Electrical Code (NEC) governs its use and installation standards.