Southwire 13055955 250' 12-2 UFW/G Wire, Gray, 250 Feet

The Verdict

Let’s cut through the confusion: if you’re wiring a shed, a well pump, outdoor lighting, or a garage sub-feed, you need UF-B cable, not NM-B (Romex). This Southwire 12/2 with ground is the real deal — direct burial rated, solid copper, and built to survive decades underground. At 4.8 stars from 240 buyers, it’s clearly doing something right. Here’s what you need to know before you spend.

What’s on the spool

You’re getting 250 feet of 12-gauge, two-conductor cable plus a bare copper ground, wrapped in a gray sunlight-resistant PVC jacket. The conductors are solid copper — not the cheaper copper-clad aluminum you’ll find on no-name spools. That matters underground, where dissimilar metals and moisture create corrosion headaches.

The jacket is the star here. It’s thick, tough, and rated for direct burial at 24 inches (per code, you’ll still want to check your local amendment). The gray color isn’t cosmetic — it’s UV-stabilized, so exposed runs above ground won’t degrade as fast as standard Romex.

How it performs in the field

The 12-gauge copper handles 20-amp circuits at 120 volts. For a 250-foot run, voltage drop starts to matter — at full 20-amp load, you’re looking at roughly a 5% drop. That’s within acceptable range for most tools and lighting, but if you’re powering a high-draw appliance at the far end, consider stepping up to 10-gauge. Most buyers are running sheds, outdoor outlets, and irrigation controllers — all fine here.

Build quality is consistent with Southwire’s reputation. The insulation is uniform, the copper is clean and bright, and the jacket is free of weak spots. One buyer noted: “Pulled it through 100 feet of buried conduit with a tugger — the jacket held up without a single nick.” Another mentioned: “This is the second spool I’ve bought. The first one’s been in the ground for six years and still tests clean.”

What buyers consistently praise

The recurring theme in reviews is reliability and value per foot. At this price point, you’re paying a small premium over generic UF-B, but buyers feel it’s justified. Real quotes from the review section:

• “Solid copper, not that aluminum junk. Cut it open and you’ll see the difference.”
• “Shipped fast, coiled tight, no kinks in the jacket. Exactly what I needed for a 200-foot trench.”
• “Used it for a garage sub-panel. Passed inspection with no issues.”

The 250-foot length is another favorite — it’s enough for most residential runs without splicing, which keeps the installation cleaner and code-compliant.

Where it falls short

Let’s be honest about the downsides. This wire is stiff. The thick UF jacket doesn’t bend like NM-B, and pulling it through 90-degree conduit bends will test your patience (and your arms). Plan for a pulling lubricant and a helper.

The weight is also a factor — a full 250-foot spool runs close to 48 pounds. It’s manageable, but if you’re hauling it across a muddy yard, you’ll wish you’d bought a wire cart. A few reviewers mentioned the spool flanges can dig into your hands — wear gloves.

One more thing: this is 12/2, not 12/3. If you need a separate neutral and hot for a 240-volt load or a multi-wire branch circuit, look elsewhere. This is strictly 120-volt, hot-neutral-ground.

Who should buy this

• DIYers wiring a detached shed or outbuilding — the direct-burial rating means you can trench and bury it without conduit (check local code depth requirements).
• Electricians running long outdoor circuits — the 250-foot spool is ideal for jobs where you’d otherwise splice two shorter runs.
• Anyone upgrading from aluminum wire — if you’ve had corrosion issues in the past, the solid copper here is a permanent fix.

FAQ

Q: Can I bury this directly in the ground without conduit? A: Yes, UF-B is rated for direct burial at 24 inches deep per NEC. However, local codes can require more depth or conduit — verify with your building department before you dig.

Q: Is this the same as Romex (NM-B)? A: No. NM-B is for indoor, dry locations. UF-B has a solid, moisture-resistant jacket and is rated for underground and wet locations. Don’t use them interchangeably.

Q: What size breaker do I need for 12/2 UF? A: A 20-amp breaker is the maximum for 12-gauge copper. If you’re feeding a sub-panel, size the breaker to the panel’s rating and your load calculation.

The Verdict

Buy it if you need reliable, code-compliant underground wiring with solid copper and a real jacket. The 250-foot length, 4.8-star track record, and Southwire’s reputation make this a safe, smart purchase for outdoor circuits.

Skip it if you only need 50 feet, you need 240-volt capability, or you’re not prepared to wrestle with stiff cable on a heavy spool.

Rating: 4.6/5 — a solid, professional-grade product held back only by its physical handling characteristics. For the money, this is the wire I’d put in my own trench.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.