SPEC12 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 12 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 6.53 kcmil · 3.31 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.081 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.092 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.13 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 24 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 20 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft spools · 2,500 ft reels · Multi-color pull packs · 250 ft coils of MC and NM-B |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 20 A | 25 A | 30 A |
| Aluminum | 15 A | 20 A | 25 A |
Small-conductor overcurrent limit (NEC 240.4(D)): 20 A copper, 15 A aluminum.
Dimensions from NEC Chapter 9 Tables 5 and 8. Weights are approximate and vary by manufacturer and insulation. For design, follow the NEC and a licensed electrician.
Wire types we buy in 12 AWG
01How to Identify 12 AWG Wire and Cable
Start with the reel tag and jacket print. Look for the conductor size, wire type, conductor metal, manufacturer and date code. Photograph the complete marking rather than just the size. On cable assemblies, capture the conductor count and cable designation so we can distinguish individual building wire from products such as 12/2 MC or 12/2 NM-B.
12 AWG means 12 gauge; it is not an aught designation. MCM and kcmil describe conductor area, not the AWG gauge number. Our wire gauge chart explains those naming systems.
A solid 12 AWG conductor has a diameter of 0.081 in. Class B stranded construction uses 7 strands and has a conductor diameter of 0.092 in. These are conductor measurements, not measurements over insulation. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.13 in, but insulation construction affects finished diameter. Use readable markings as the primary identification, and send clear photos if the tag and jacket information disagree.
02What the 12 AWG Specifications Mean
12 AWG has a conductor area of 6.53 kcmil, equivalent to 3.31 mm². That size identifies the conductor, but it does not by itself establish a finished cable's diameter, weight or permitted circuit use. Insulation, conductor metal and cable construction all matter when identifying surplus material.
Under NEC 310.16 at 30°C ambient, before adjustments, the copper ampacities are 20 amps in the 60°C column, 25 amps in the 75°C column and 30 amps in the 90°C column. Aluminum values are 15, 20 and 25 amps, respectively. These temperature-column values are not interchangeable permissions to increase a circuit breaker rating.
The supplied overcurrent-protection limits are 20 amps for copper and 15 amps for aluminum, subject to applicable NEC provisions. Terminal ratings, wiring-method rules and required adjustments also affect an installation. See our wire ampacity chart for context, and have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for any proposed use.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
12 AWG copper is commonly used for 20-amp branch circuits and is the most common commercial wire size. Office, retail and multifamily receptacle circuits can leave contractors with unused spools, pull-pack remnants and cable coils after work is complete. Those leftovers may still have resale value when their identity, condition and remaining length are clear.
In Greater Houston construction and plant work, 12 AWG also appears in control and tray cable. A plant-project cable and a building-wire spool should not be valued as interchangeable products simply because both contain the same conductor size. Cable construction and current demand help determine whether the material has a reusable market.
When you sell 12 gauge wire, separate material by type and conductor metal before taking photos. Keep cable assemblies intact and preserve their labels. Tell us whether the material is unused surplus or previously installed wire; that distinction helps us assess its condition without assuming it is suitable for another installation.
04Wire Types We Buy in 12 AWG
Houston Wire Buyers reviews surplus 12 AWG cable and individual conductors across a range of constructions. For building-wire inventory, we buy THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2 and USE-2/RHW-2 when the material is new, unused or reusable. Copper and aluminum lots are both eligible for review.
Cable assemblies include NM-B (Romex), UF-B, MC cable, MC-HL / Teck, tray cable and control cable. We also review VFD cable, portable cord, PV wire and fire alarm cable in this conductor size. The product marking matters: a size alone does not tell us the cable's construction or intended application.
Send separate photos for each type, including jacket markings and packaging labels. For multiconductor products, identify the complete cable rather than describing it only as 12-gauge copper. We assess reusable material honestly. Short pieces, burned wire and heavily damaged cable may be better suited to scrap, and we will tell you what appears reusable.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
12 AWG copper wire value depends on more than metal weight. We consider the copper or aluminum market, wire type and demand, size, footage, manufacturer, date code, quantity, packaging condition and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value.
Approximate finished THHN/THWN-2 copper weight is 24 lb per 1,000 ft. As a simple example, 24 lb of that wire, excluding the spool or reel, suggests roughly 1,000 ft. This is an estimate, not a verified footage count. Bare stranded copper weighs about 20 lb per 1,000 ft, while bare aluminum weighs about 6 lb per 1,000 ft; those figures should not be applied to finished cable assemblies.
Common put-ups include 500 ft spools, 2,500 ft reels, multi-color pull packs and 250 ft coils of MC or NM-B. Keep packaging intact where possible. Report whether footage comes from a label, a remaining-length record or a weight estimate so we can review it appropriately.
06Selling Your 12 AWG Surplus in Houston
If you need 12 AWG wire buyers in Greater Houston, start by texting 951-403-5738 or emailing industrial832@gmail.com. Send photos of reel tags and jacket print, footage or weight, and the material's location. We review the information, provide a written offer, schedule pickup or drop-off, verify the material on site and pay per the written offer.
We serve Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties only. Pickup is scheduled at the seller's site. For larger lots or heavy reels, describe site access and any available loading equipment before scheduling; do not assume loading arrangements are already established.
Appointment-only drop-off is available at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, in southeast Houston's Mayfair area near I-45 and I-610. Call first before bringing material. Our wire pickup information explains the local service. Keep each lot identifiable until verification so the material can be checked against the written offer.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I submit a mixed lot of 12 AWG and other wire sizes?
Yes. Houston Wire Buyers buys surplus wire from 18 AWG to 1000 kcmil, so a mixed lot can include other sizes. Identify each size and type separately in your submission. Clear photos and separate footage or weight estimates let us review the inventory without treating every item as the same product.
Does an unreadable reel tag mean my wire cannot be reviewed?
Not necessarily. Send photos of any readable jacket print, the overall spool or coil, and the wire's condition. Tell us which details are unknown rather than guessing. We can review the available information, but missing identification may affect our ability to determine the material's reusable value.
Should I strip the insulation before requesting an offer?
Keep potentially reusable wire intact while we review it. Stripping removes the jacket markings and changes finished wire into bare conductor, which can reduce its usefulness as a resale product. Send photos first so we can tell you whether the material appears reusable or is better suited to scrap.
Can you value a pull pack with different amounts remaining in each color?
Send the pull-pack label and an estimate for each remaining color, if available. Do not describe the package as full unless it is full. Tell us how you determined the remaining amounts and show the packaging condition. We will review the actual inventory rather than assume equal footage across the colors.
Are you Houston Wire & Cable Company or a manufacturer's buyback program?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. We independently review surplus electrical wire and cable from Greater Houston sellers. Manufacturer information on your labels helps identify the material; it does not mean we represent that manufacturer or operate its return program.