CerroMax vs Southwire Romex: A Head-to-Head Brand Comparison
When you are ordering NM-B (Romex) cable for a residential project, you may see CerroMax and Southwire listed as two separate product lines at IB Lighting. Both are quality American-manufactured NM-B cables that meet identical NEC and UL listing requirements. Here is a clear comparison of what makes each brand distinct, where they are made, and how to decide which is right for your order.
The Manufacturers
Cerrowire (CerroMax)
CerroMax is the flagship product line of Cerrowire, a cable manufacturer headquartered in Hartselle, Alabama. Cerrowire has been manufacturing copper wire and cable products in the United States for decades. Their Alabama manufacturing facility produces NM-B cable under the CerroMax brand, and the company is known among electricians for consistent quality control and clean jacket construction that strips reliably. Cerrowire is an independent manufacturer, not affiliated with Southwire.
Southwire
Southwire is one of the largest wire and cable manufacturers in North America, headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia. Their NM-B product line (commonly branded as SIMpull Romex) is one of the most widely distributed residential cables in the United States. Southwire also manufactures a comprehensive range of electrical wire products including THHN, UF-B, MC cable, service entrance cable, and data cable. The scale of Southwire production results in broad availability across distribution channels nationwide.
Technical Specifications: Are They the Same?
Both CerroMax and Southwire NM-B are manufactured to the same technical standard: UL 719 (the listing standard for non-metallic sheathed cable). Both must meet identical requirements for conductor sizing, insulation thickness, jacket construction, temperature ratings, and ampacity. A 12/2 NM-B from Cerrowire and a 12/2 NM-B from Southwire are interchangeable in any code-compliant residential installation. Your inspector cannot and will not distinguish between them during a rough-in inspection, and your finished installation will perform identically regardless of which brand was used.
Jacket and Stripping Characteristics
Electricians who have worked with both brands note differences in jacket feel and stripping behavior. CerroMax jackets tend to have a smooth, consistent finish that scores cleanly with a cable ripper and strips predictably at termination points. Southwire SIMpull NM-B features an engineered jacket compound that is specifically designed for easy pulling through conduit and tight bends, requiring less force than standard jacket materials. Neither characteristic is universally better: CerroMax suits electricians who prefer a firm jacket, while Southwire SIMpull suits those pulling long runs through multiple bends.
Conductor Quality
Both manufacturers use copper conductors that meet the same ASTM standards for purity and dimensional tolerances. Cerrowire is often cited by electricians for consistent conductor concentricity (the conductor being centered within its insulation), which makes stripping to a consistent length more predictable. Southwire conductors meet the same dimensional standards and perform identically in service. Both brands use solid copper conductors in 14 and 12 AWG NM-B (the sizes used for branch circuits), and stranded conductors in larger gauges.
American Manufacturing
Both Cerrowire and Southwire manufacture their NM-B products in the United States. For buyers who prioritize domestic manufacturing, both brands satisfy that requirement. Cerrowire production is concentrated at the Alabama facility. Southwire operates multiple US manufacturing locations. Both companies employ American workers and source raw copper through domestic and international markets.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing between CerroMax and Southwire NM-B fluctuates based on copper market prices, production volumes, and distribution channel. At IB Lighting, both brands are available and competitive pricing is maintained on both. When one brand has a pricing advantage on a specific gauge or spool size, that is often the better value for your order. Call (800) 674-9019 to compare current pricing on both brands for your specific project quantities.
Which Should You Buy?
Both are excellent choices. If you have a strong preference from prior project experience, buy the brand you prefer. If you are indifferent, compare pricing at the time of your order and choose the better value. For mixed projects where you need both brands on different circuits, note that the color-coding on the outer jacket follows the same NEC convention (white for 14 AWG, yellow for 12 AWG, orange for 10 AWG) regardless of brand, so there is no identification issue on a job site using both.
IB Lighting stocks both CerroMax (Cerrowire) and Southwire NM-B in 12/2, 14/2, and other configurations with free freight insurance. Browse our wire and cable selection or call (800) 674-9019 for availability and current pricing. Visit our Southwire brand page and Cerrowire brand page for complete product listings.