Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire. But it’s also a lot harder to work with as it’s harder to bend. So I’m guessing that they’ve found another cheaper metal that is now compounded with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electrons in a thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/has-electric-wire-gotten-smaller-for-the-same-guager-239210-.htm

On 4/20/22 9:02 PM, LJA wrote:
> Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire.  But
> it’s also a lot harder to work with as it’s harder to bend.  So I’m
> guessing that they’ve found another cheaper metal that is now compounded
> with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electrons in a
> thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.
>
Yeah, not unlike the formerly 5 pound bags of flour or sugar that now
contain only 4 pounds, the 10 pound bag of charcoal briquettes now with
8 pounds, the cereal boxes of corn flakes or Cheerios that are now
several ounces lighter than they used to be...and the rolls of toilet
paper that are now 1/4 inch narrower!

--
If an old dude ever gives you advice while peeling an apple with a
pocket knife and eating the pieces right off the blade, you should
probably take it.

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 9:02:32 PM UTC-4, LJA wrote:
> Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire. But it’s also a lot harder to work with as it’s harder to bend. So I’m guessing that they’ve found another cheaper metal that is now compounded with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electrons in a thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.
> --
> For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/has-electric-wire-gotten-smaller-for-the-same-guager-239210-.htm

Have you taken a micrometer to this new wire and actually measured it?
What was it? Otherwise I highly doubt this. And IDK what this alleged lower
cost metal would be, copper is used because it is the best choice available,
other better conductors, eg silver, isn't used because it's far more expensive.

On Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:53:40 AM UTC-4, Wade Garrett wrote:
> On 4/20/22 9:02 PM, LJA wrote:
> > Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire. But
> > it’s also a lot harder to work with as it’s harder to bend. So I’m
> > guessing that they’ve found another cheaper metal that is now compounded
> > with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electrons in a
> > thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.
> >
> Yeah, not unlike the formerly 5 pound bags of flour or sugar that now
> contain only 4 pounds, the 10 pound bag of charcoal briquettes now with
> 8 pounds, the cereal boxes of corn flakes or Cheerios that are now
> several ounces lighter than they used to be...and the rolls of toilet
> paper that are now 1/4 inch narrower!
>
> --
> If an old dude ever gives you advice while peeling an apple with a
> pocket knife and eating the pieces right off the blade, you should
> probably take it.

Except that in those cases the product is clearly marked as a 4 pound bag
of sugar, not as a 5 lb bag, which would not be the case if vendors are
selling wire smaller than 12 gauge as 12 gauge.

LJA <c879f0a67e1d79bf456567cdbe14350c@example.com> writes:
>Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire. But it’s also a lot harder to work with as it’s harder to bend. So I’m guessing that they’ve found another cheaper metal that is now compounded with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electrons in a thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.
>

You're not thinking clearly. Just because the insulation layer is
thinner (better thermoplastics) on newer wire, doesn't change the
amount of copper in the wire.

trader_4 <trader4@optonline.net> writes:
>On Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 9:02:32 PM UTC-4, LJA wrote:
>> Newer #12 IS definitely a little thinner than the old #12 wire. But it=E2=
>=80=99s also a lot harder to work with as it=E2=80=99s harder to bend. So I=
>=E2=80=99m guessing that they=E2=80=99ve found another cheaper metal that i=
>s now compounded with the expensive copper and conducts just as many electr=
>ons in a thinner wire, but is not as pliable as copper.
>> --=20
>> For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/has-ele=
>ctric-wire-gotten-smaller-for-the-same-guager-239210-.htm
>
>Have you taken a micrometer to this new wire and actually measured it?
>What was it? Otherwise I highly doubt this. And IDK what this alleged low=
>er
>cost metal would be, copper is used because it is the best choice available=
>,
>other better conductors, eg silver, isn't used because it's far more expens=
>ive.

The claim is bogus.

It is true, however, that the thermoplastic coating on modern THHN & NM
is not as bulky as it used to be, due to using newer formulations
with better insulating qualities.