What is the most commonly used wiring method in residential installations?

Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM Cable) is the most commonly used wiring method in residential installations due to its affordability, ease of installation, and flexibility. NM Cable, often referred to by the brand name Romex, consists of two or more insulated conductors and a bare ground wire, all encased in a non-metallic sheath. This design makes it suitable for a wide variety of residential applications, including general lighting and outlet circuits.

One of the key advantages of NM Cable is that it can be easily routed through walls and ceilings, which reduces labor time and simplifies the installation process compared to more labor-intensive methods like conduit wiring. Additionally, NM Cable is lightweight and does not require special tools for its installation, making it a favorite among electricians and contractors for residential wiring projects.

In giving context, while aluminum wiring and conduit wiring have their specific applications, they are less commonly used in typical residential settings. Aluminum wiring has become less favored due to safety concerns and stricter regulations. Conduit wiring, while providing excellent protection for wires and being suitable for commercial applications or outdoor installations, is costlier and more complex to install than NM Cable. Twisted pair cables are primarily used for communication and data transmission, such as in network cabling,