Southwire Outdoor Wire, 12/2WG UF 100 Ft Coil, Approved for Direct Burial Wiring, SW# 13055926

What it is and where it shines

Southwire’s 12/2 UF cable is a workhorse for outdoor branch circuits and direct-burial runs. It’s a 100-foot coil of solid copper conductors (two insulated conductors plus a bare ground) wrapped in a tough, sunlight‑resistant, flame‑retardant jacket that’s UL‑listed for dry, damp, wet, and corrosive locations. In practical terms, that makes it a versatile choice for feeding garden sheds, landscape lighting circuits, exterior receptacles, and small outbuildings—without having to run conduit end-to-end.

I used this coil for two projects at my place: a 20A circuit to a small garden shed and a run that feeds a pair of weather-resistant receptacles and string lights at a pergola. One run went straight into the ground; the other used short protective sleeves of conduit where the cable emerged near grade and at structural posts. In both scenarios, the cable performed as expected: durable in the trench, cooperative enough in short conduit sections, and straightforward to terminate.

Build quality and materials

• Jacket: The outer jacket is thick and abrasion-resistant with a slightly slick surface that helps during pulls. It’s printed with ratings and gauge markings that remained legible even after trench grit and handling.
• Conductors: The 12 AWG copper conductors are solid (not stranded), which is standard for UF-B in this gauge. The insulation on the hot and neutral held up to stripping without tearing, provided I used the right tool and technique.
• Listing and origin: It’s UL listed and made in the USA—reassuring for code compliance and consistency.

The jacket’s durability is the standout. UF cable lives a hard life underground, exposed to moisture and potential soil chemistry issues, and this sheath is built for that. It also handles UV exposure well if you’ve got short sections exposed to sunlight, though best practice is to protect it where it’s accessible.

Installation experience

Direct burial is where this cable makes its case. I trenched, laid sand for bedding in rocky spots, and set the cable with warning tape above it before backfilling. The jacket shrugged off minor nicks from stones, and the cable didn’t deform when tamped. For depth, follow your local code (often around two feet of cover for direct-burial cable). Plan your route to minimize unnecessary bends; while the cable is reasonably flexible for UF, it’s still stiffer than NM-B or individual THWN conductors.

For the pergola run, I used short sections of conduit at transitions and where the cable is subject to physical damage. UF in conduit is perfectly acceptable for short runs, but keep in mind:

• It’s bulkier and stiffer than THWN; long conduit runs with multiple bends are a chore.
• Check conduit fill and bend counts. Even in oversized conduit, pulling lube makes a difference with UF.
• Where the cable enters boxes, I used proper bushings and fittings to avoid jacket abrasion.

Terminating was straightforward. A UF-specific stripper (or a careful utility-knife score along the flat between conductors) keeps you from nicking the insulation. Once the outer sheath is off, stripping the individual conductors is no different than standard 12 AWG solid copper. The bare ground is easy to bond to metal boxes or equipment grounds.

Coil handling deserves a note: like most UF coils, it retains memory. I had better results unspooling it off a rotating stand rather than pulling from the side of the coil. Laying it in the sun for a few minutes on a cool day made it more compliant.

Electrical performance and sizing considerations

On a 20A circuit, 12 AWG copper is the right call from an ampacity standpoint. Over a 100-foot one-way run, voltage drop becomes the practical constraint. If you’re pulling the full 20A continuously (say, a space heater, air compressor, or multiple heavy loads at once), the drop can creep above the commonly recommended 3% for branch circuits. In real use, my shed lighting and light tool loads didn’t come close to that, and everything ran nominally without dimming or nuisance trips.

My rule of thumb with this cable:
- For general-purpose outdoor receptacles and lighting up to about 100 feet, 12/2 UF is a solid choice.
- If you expect sustained heavy loads near 20A over that distance, consider upsizing to 10/2 UF to keep voltage drop in check.
- For long conduit runs, individual THWN conductors may pull easier than UF and offer cleaner routing options.

As always, use GFCI protection for outdoor circuits, weather-resistant receptacles, and in-use covers. If you’re feeding a subpanel, remember a single 12/2 cable won’t provide the four conductors (two hots, neutral, ground) a typical 120/240V subpanel requires.

Durability in the elements

The jacket’s sunlight resistance and moisture/corrosion resistance aren’t just marketing. After backfilling and watering in the trench, the short exposed section at the shed stayed supple and didn’t chalk or scuff with incidental contact. At grade transitions, I protected it with conduit and a guard strip. This is an easy way to extend its life in high-traffic or high-impact zones.

Flame retardancy and the UL wet-location rating also give peace of mind when the cable passes through damp garages, along foundation walls, or under deck framing before re-entering the soil.

Tips for a smoother install

• Plan terminations: Pre-mark junction box entry points and leave generous service loops. UF is less forgiving than NM when you need that extra inch.
• Strip smart: Use a UF-rated cable ripper or carefully score the flat edge. Avoid deep knife cuts; nicked insulation will haunt you later.
• Protect at transitions: Use rigid or Schedule 80 where it emerges from the ground or runs on a surface.
• Mind voltage drop: If your run approaches the coil’s full length and heavy loads are expected, price out 10/2 before you commit.
• Unspool correctly: Use a reel stand or pay out from the center to minimize twists and kinks.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This cable is a strong fit for:
- 120V outdoor branch circuits to sheds, pergolas, and exterior receptacles
- Landscape and garden lighting circuits that benefit from direct burial
- Short mixed installations that combine direct burial with short conduit sleeves

It’s less ideal for:
- Long, complex conduit runs with multiple bends (individual conductors pull better)
- High-load circuits at the far end of the 100-foot run (voltage drop considerations)
- Multi-wire branch circuits requiring a shared neutral, or any feeder needing four conductors

Pros

• Rugged, sunlight- and moisture-resistant jacket suited for true direct burial
• Solid copper 12 AWG conductors handle 20A branch circuits confidently
• UL listed for wet, damp, dry, and corrosive locations
• Made in the USA, with consistent jacket printing and quality control
• Pulls acceptably in short conduit sections with proper lube and sizing

Cons

• Stiffer and bulkier than THWN-in-conduit solutions; not ideal for long conduit runs
• Coil memory requires careful unspooling to avoid twists
• At 100 feet, voltage drop can be a factor for sustained heavy loads at 20A

Bottom line

I recommend this Southwire 12/2 UF cable for most direct-burial 120V branch circuits to outdoor loads. It’s durable, code-appropriate, and straightforward to install if you plan your route and terminations. For mixed installations, it strikes a good balance: trench-friendly yet manageable in short conduit sleeves where protection is needed. If your design calls for long, complex conduit runs or you expect continuous heavy loads at the end of a 100-foot stretch, consider alternative wiring methods or upsizing to 10 AWG. Otherwise, this coil delivers dependable performance and solid value for outdoor wiring tasks.