Can I use 12/3 grounded electrical wiring in place of 12/2 grounded?

Question:I am installing a motion sensitive light and I thought I had plenty of 12/2 grounded but I don't. I do have alot of 12/3 grounded wire. Can I use that instead

Answers:
yes, extra is always better. you can snip out the red conductor if u don't need it

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I AGREE WITH THE FIRST ANSWER

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Go with answer 1

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Yes you can , just put a wire nut on the red and tuck in box in case you need it for future use

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HERE'S THE ANSWER:
12/3 refers to the American Wire Guage size and then the number of conductors. 12/3 WG means Size 12, 3 conductors, With Ground. So there are really 4 conductors. You only need 2 of the sheathed ones and the ground. Just be sure you don't allow that extra conductor to touch any of the other live connections at either end because this sould cause a shock hazard to anyone who might not realize that the extra line was hot. I generally clip the extra line off and fold it over. This makes it very obvious that it is not in use should another electrician happen to work on the set. Otherwise the poor bugger would waste his time tracing it to be sure it was dead. One other point is that this wire is more expensive than the other and, if you are running outside lines you should be using UF cable. Made to withstand the elements.

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