SPEC14 AWG at a glance
| Also called | 14 gauge |
|---|---|
| Conductor area | 4.11 kcmil · 2.08 mm² |
| Solid diameter | 0.064 in |
| Stranded (Class B) | 7 strands · 0.073 in |
| THHN outside diameter | ≈ 0.111 in |
| Finished copper wire weight | ≈ 16 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Bare copper weight | ≈ 13 lb / 1,000 ft |
| Common put-ups | 500 ft spools · 2,500 ft reels · Reel-in-box and multi-conductor pull packs · 250 ft coils of NM-B and MC |
| Conductor | 60 °C | 75 °C | 90 °C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 15 A | 20 A | 25 A |
| Aluminum | Not listed at this size | ||
Small-conductor overcurrent limit (NEC 240.4(D)): 15 A copper.
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 14 AWG
01How to Identify 14 AWG Wire and Cable
Start with the jacket print or reel tag. Look for the conductor size, insulation designation, conductor metal, manufacturer and any footage markings. For multi-conductor cable, photograph the complete designation rather than just the gauge. Markings such as 14/2 and 14/3 identify cable constructions, not the outside diameter of the cable.
14 AWG is also called 14 gauge. It is not an aught size, and it should not be confused with a size expressed in MCM or kcmil. The Wire Gauge Chart explains those naming systems.
Use diameter only as a supporting check. A solid 14 AWG conductor measures 0.064 in; Class B stranded construction uses 7 strands and has a conductor diameter of 0.073 in. Approximate THHN outside diameter is 0.111 in, including insulation. Measuring the insulated outside diameter alone cannot reliably establish gauge. Send clear marking photos even when the spool label is missing.
02What the 14 AWG Specifications Mean
The conductor area for 14 AWG is 4.11 kcmil, or 2.08 mm². That describes the metal cross-section, not the finished wire’s outside diameter. Solid and stranded conductors have different physical diameters even when they share the same AWG size.
Under NEC 310.16, at 30°C ambient and before adjustments, the supplied copper ampacity values are 15 amps in the 60°C column, 20 amps in the 75°C column and 25 amps in the 90°C column. Those columns do not provide permission to protect ordinary 14 AWG copper branch-circuit wiring at the higher values. The generally applicable copper overcurrent protection limit is 15 amps, subject to applicable NEC exceptions.
Insulation ratings, terminal ratings, installation conditions and required adjustments all matter. NM-B also has its own ampacity limitations. Our buying review identifies material for valuation; it is not installation approval. Have a licensed electrician or engineer determine suitability for a particular circuit.
03Common Uses in Houston Construction and Plants
In Greater Houston construction, 14 AWG copper commonly appears in 15-amp lighting and receptacle branch circuits. Residential surplus may include 14/2 and 14/3 NM-B, while commercial projects may leave MC cable coils or individual building-wire spools. The cable marking matters because the same conductor gauge can arrive in very different assemblies.
Houston plant and industrial work also uses this size in control circuits, motor control wiring, and multi-conductor control and tray cable. Do not assume that wire used in a motor control circuit is suitable for the motor’s power circuit. The application depends on the complete cable specification and circuit design.
When a job closes out, separate identifiable surplus from damaged cleanup material. Keep original boxes, reel labels and footage records with the wire where possible. Tell us whether the material came from construction leftovers, stored inventory or removed equipment. That context helps us review condition without treating every length as equivalent.
04Wire Types We Buy With 14 AWG Conductors
We review surplus 14 AWG cable and individual conductors by their actual markings and condition. Building-wire categories include THHN/THWN-2, XHHW-2 and USE-2/RHW-2. Send the full insulation designation shown on the wire rather than assuming similar-looking products are interchangeable.
We also buy reusable NM-B (Romex), UF-B, MC cable and MC-HL / Teck containing this conductor size. For industrial inventory, we review tray cable, control cable, VFD cable and portable cord. PV wire and fire alarm cable are also within the categories we buy in this size.
Acceptance depends on the material offered, not just the category name. For cable assemblies, include photos showing the overall jacket, conductor information and visible ends. Keep different cable types separated so we can evaluate each lot accurately. Do not strip reusable insulated wire simply to expose the copper; intact identification and packaging can support its reusable value.
05How Footage, Weight and Packaging Affect Value
14 AWG copper wire value depends on more than gross weight. We consider conductor metal markets, wire type and current demand, size, footage, manufacturer and date code, packaging condition, quantity and pickup logistics. Reusable wire is usually worth more than its scrap or melt value.
As a simple estimate, finished 14 AWG THHN/THWN-2 copper weighs approximately 16 lb per 1,000 ft. A net wire weight of 16 lb therefore suggests approximately 1,000 ft. Exclude the spool or reel weight. This estimate does not apply to an entire multi-conductor cable: its jacket, armor and other components change the weight.
Bare stranded copper is approximately 13 lb per 1,000 ft, while bare aluminum is approximately 4 lb per 1,000 ft. Common put-ups include 500 ft spools, 2,500 ft reels, reel-in-box packages, multi-conductor pull packs and 250 ft coils of NM-B or MC. Original labels and reliable footage records reduce uncertainty about what remains.
06How to Sell 14 AWG Wire in Houston
To sell 14 gauge wire, send photos of reel tags or jacket print, footage or weight, and your location. Call or text 951-403-5738, or email industrial832@gmail.com. You can also request an offer with the material details. We review the information, provide a written offer and then arrange pickup or drop-off.
Our service area is Greater Houston only: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers and Waller counties. Pickup is scheduled at the seller’s site. For larger reels or mixed inventory, tell us about access, reel condition and available handling equipment before scheduling so handling can be discussed.
Drop-off at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087 is by appointment only; call first. The address is in southeast Houston’s Mayfair area, near I-45 and I-610. We verify the material on site, then pay per the written offer. We focus on reusable material and will tell you when short or heavily damaged wire is better suited to scrap.
FAQQuestions sellers ask
Can I offer partial spools with no readable footage count?
Yes. Identify them as partial spools and tell us that the remaining footage is unknown. Send the label, jacket print and photos showing how much wire remains. A net weight can help with an estimate, but do not present an estimate as a measured length. We review the available information before making a written offer.
Should I combine different colors of 14 AWG wire into one lot?
You can submit them together, but keep each color and wire type identifiable. List separate spools or coils rather than combining everything into one footage total. Matching gauge does not establish matching insulation, conductor metal or condition. Clear separation helps us assess the inventory without assuming every spool contains the same product.
Do 14 AWG wire buyers accept material removed from service?
Houston Wire Buyers reviews reusable material as well as new and unused surplus. Tell us when wire has been removed from service and show its condition clearly. Burned insulation, heavy damage or very short pieces may make material better suited to scrap. We will distinguish reusable wire from material that does not fit our buying focus.
Can you value 14 AWG cable from a photo of the copper ends alone?
A photo of the ends can help, but it usually does not establish the complete cable specification. Include jacket print or a reel tag, overall condition, footage or weight, and location. For armored or multi-conductor cable, the assembly matters to valuation. Avoid removing jackets or armor just to produce a copper-only photo.
Are you connected with Houston Wire & Cable Company?
No. Houston Wire Buyers is not affiliated with Houston Wire & Cable Company or any manufacturer. For a surplus-wire offer or a drop-off appointment at McGrew St, contact Houston Wire Buyers directly at 951-403-5738 or industrial832@gmail.com. Our buying service covers Greater Houston only.