Romex

Term from Electrical Installation industry explained for recruiters

Romex is a common brand name for a type of electrical cable widely used in residential and light commercial construction in North America. When electricians mention Romex on their resumes, they're referring to their experience with installing and working with this standard household wiring. It's similar to how people might say "Kleenex" when they mean tissue paper. The actual technical term is "non-metallic sheathed cable" or "NM cable," but Romex is the name most people in the industry use. This wiring is the basic building block of most home electrical systems, used for everything from lighting to outlet installations.

Examples in Resumes

Installed Romex wiring in over 50 new residential construction projects

Upgraded outdated knob-and-tube wiring systems to modern Romex installations

Managed residential electrical installations using Romex and NM-B cable systems

Typical job title: "Electricians"

Also try searching for:

Residential Electrician Commercial Electrician Electrical Installer Electrical Technician Apprentice Electrician Journeyman Electrician Master Electrician

Example Interview Questions

Master Electrician Level Questions

Q: What are the different sizing requirements for Romex in various residential applications?

Expected Answer: A master electrician should explain how to choose the right wire size based on the circuit's amperage - like using 14-gauge for 15-amp circuits and 12-gauge for 20-amp circuits, and when to use larger sizes for high-power appliances.

Q: How do you plan a whole-house Romex installation project?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating electrical plans, calculating loads, determining circuit requirements, planning cable routes, and ensuring code compliance while managing a team of electricians.

Journeyman Level Questions

Q: What are the main installation rules for Romex cable?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic requirements like proper stapling, protection from damage, depth in walls, and proper box fill calculations.

Q: How do you properly join Romex cables in junction boxes?

Expected Answer: Should describe the correct way to strip cables, maintain proper wire length in boxes, make connections, and ensure ground continuity.

Apprentice Level Questions

Q: What are the different types of Romex cable and their basic uses?

Expected Answer: Should identify common types like 14-2, 12-2, and explain that the numbers mean wire gauge and number of conductors plus ground.

Q: What safety precautions do you take when working with Romex?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic safety practices like turning off power, using proper tools, and checking for damage to cable sheathing.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic cable installation
  • Wire stripping and connection
  • Understanding of color coding
  • Simple circuit installation

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex residential wiring
  • Troubleshooting electrical issues
  • Code compliance knowledge
  • Circuit planning and installation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Project management
  • Advanced troubleshooting
  • Team supervision
  • Complex system design

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of electrical codes
  • Unfamiliarity with basic wire sizing
  • Lack of proper licensing or certification
  • No experience with residential wiring
  • Poor understanding of electrical safety

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