Using 14 ga on part of a 20A circuit? [duplicate]
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This question already has an answer here:
20 amp breaker with 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire
2 answers
I'm building an outdoor bbq and have a 20A circuit with 2 runs - 1 for outlets and 1 for lights. The outlets are done with 20A receptacles and 12 ga wire inside 1/2" emc.
The lights will be hanging pull lights (16 ga wire in the cord) and because it's a little cheaper and easier, I wanted to get power to the fixtures by 14 ga wire, also in 1/2" emc.
Is this a no-no? The only thing on this run would be 5 lights, so very low load.
electrical wiring
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
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marked as duplicate by Machavity, ThreePhaseEel electrical
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Feb 21 at 3:11
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
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This question already has an answer here:
20 amp breaker with 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire
2 answers
I'm building an outdoor bbq and have a 20A circuit with 2 runs - 1 for outlets and 1 for lights. The outlets are done with 20A receptacles and 12 ga wire inside 1/2" emc.
The lights will be hanging pull lights (16 ga wire in the cord) and because it's a little cheaper and easier, I wanted to get power to the fixtures by 14 ga wire, also in 1/2" emc.
Is this a no-no? The only thing on this run would be 5 lights, so very low load.
electrical wiring
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
marked as duplicate by Machavity, ThreePhaseEel electrical
Users with the electrical badge can single-handedly close electrical questions as duplicates and reopen them as needed.
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Feb 21 at 3:11
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
20 amp breaker with 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire
2 answers
I'm building an outdoor bbq and have a 20A circuit with 2 runs - 1 for outlets and 1 for lights. The outlets are done with 20A receptacles and 12 ga wire inside 1/2" emc.
The lights will be hanging pull lights (16 ga wire in the cord) and because it's a little cheaper and easier, I wanted to get power to the fixtures by 14 ga wire, also in 1/2" emc.
Is this a no-no? The only thing on this run would be 5 lights, so very low load.
electrical wiring
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
This question already has an answer here:
20 amp breaker with 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire
2 answers
I'm building an outdoor bbq and have a 20A circuit with 2 runs - 1 for outlets and 1 for lights. The outlets are done with 20A receptacles and 12 ga wire inside 1/2" emc.
The lights will be hanging pull lights (16 ga wire in the cord) and because it's a little cheaper and easier, I wanted to get power to the fixtures by 14 ga wire, also in 1/2" emc.
Is this a no-no? The only thing on this run would be 5 lights, so very low load.
This question already has an answer here:
20 amp breaker with 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire
2 answers
electrical wiring
electrical wiring
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
edited Feb 21 at 1:08
Machavity
7,79511839
7,79511839
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
asked Feb 20 at 22:08
Bob ClendeninBob Clendenin
61
61
marked as duplicate by Machavity, ThreePhaseEel electrical
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Feb 21 at 3:11
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3 Answers
3
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oldest
votes
You can't do this unless you change the breaker to 15A. The 16 AWG wire as part of the lamps is allowed because the lamps, by design, will never have more power going through them. But the wires you put in could, someday, have additional power - perhaps another owner decides to put more lights or convert one to a receptacle for outdoor power tools. You can't control all of that (as much as you think you can) so you have to stick to the rules. 12 AWG for 20 A. 14 AWG for 15 A. You can have a mix of 12 & 14 on a 15 A circuit, but can't do that on a 20 A circuit because the circuit breaker has to be small enough to protect all the wires connected to it.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
add a comment |
You could do it if you switched to 15A breakers, but you can't wire the 20A circuit with 14 gauge wire.
In EMT, it will be almost no difference in time or money to do this with 12 gauge wire.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
add a comment |
The lamps have been UL listed to allow the smaller wire, and that wire will go no farther than a junction box. And the lamp is in the jurisdiction of UL's rules and the product safety laws, not NEC.
In conduit, you are running single wires called THHN (or THWN-2, or the more deluxe XHHW) unless you are a masochist. The cost between #12 and #14 is fairly minor; I have 10 colors of THHN and I don't even bother owning any #14, just do it all in #12.
If your concern is that #12 wire is stiffer, than definitely use stranded #12 THHN. The stuff is a total pleasure to work with, though it can take a knack to twisting it tightly enough to put it on receptacle screws. Just get the $3 Leviton screw-to-clamp type receptacles and switches, that solves that.
If your concern is #12 won't fit in backstabs, that is correct, but backstabs are a reliability disaster and cause a tremendous number of arcing and unreliable connection complaints, so I would use the screws or screw-to-clamp.
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
You can't do this unless you change the breaker to 15A. The 16 AWG wire as part of the lamps is allowed because the lamps, by design, will never have more power going through them. But the wires you put in could, someday, have additional power - perhaps another owner decides to put more lights or convert one to a receptacle for outdoor power tools. You can't control all of that (as much as you think you can) so you have to stick to the rules. 12 AWG for 20 A. 14 AWG for 15 A. You can have a mix of 12 & 14 on a 15 A circuit, but can't do that on a 20 A circuit because the circuit breaker has to be small enough to protect all the wires connected to it.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
add a comment |
You can't do this unless you change the breaker to 15A. The 16 AWG wire as part of the lamps is allowed because the lamps, by design, will never have more power going through them. But the wires you put in could, someday, have additional power - perhaps another owner decides to put more lights or convert one to a receptacle for outdoor power tools. You can't control all of that (as much as you think you can) so you have to stick to the rules. 12 AWG for 20 A. 14 AWG for 15 A. You can have a mix of 12 & 14 on a 15 A circuit, but can't do that on a 20 A circuit because the circuit breaker has to be small enough to protect all the wires connected to it.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
add a comment |
You can't do this unless you change the breaker to 15A. The 16 AWG wire as part of the lamps is allowed because the lamps, by design, will never have more power going through them. But the wires you put in could, someday, have additional power - perhaps another owner decides to put more lights or convert one to a receptacle for outdoor power tools. You can't control all of that (as much as you think you can) so you have to stick to the rules. 12 AWG for 20 A. 14 AWG for 15 A. You can have a mix of 12 & 14 on a 15 A circuit, but can't do that on a 20 A circuit because the circuit breaker has to be small enough to protect all the wires connected to it.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
You can't do this unless you change the breaker to 15A. The 16 AWG wire as part of the lamps is allowed because the lamps, by design, will never have more power going through them. But the wires you put in could, someday, have additional power - perhaps another owner decides to put more lights or convert one to a receptacle for outdoor power tools. You can't control all of that (as much as you think you can) so you have to stick to the rules. 12 AWG for 20 A. 14 AWG for 15 A. You can have a mix of 12 & 14 on a 15 A circuit, but can't do that on a 20 A circuit because the circuit breaker has to be small enough to protect all the wires connected to it.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
9,6551336
9,6551336
add a comment |
add a comment |
You could do it if you switched to 15A breakers, but you can't wire the 20A circuit with 14 gauge wire.
In EMT, it will be almost no difference in time or money to do this with 12 gauge wire.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
add a comment |
You could do it if you switched to 15A breakers, but you can't wire the 20A circuit with 14 gauge wire.
In EMT, it will be almost no difference in time or money to do this with 12 gauge wire.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
add a comment |
You could do it if you switched to 15A breakers, but you can't wire the 20A circuit with 14 gauge wire.
In EMT, it will be almost no difference in time or money to do this with 12 gauge wire.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
You could do it if you switched to 15A breakers, but you can't wire the 20A circuit with 14 gauge wire.
In EMT, it will be almost no difference in time or money to do this with 12 gauge wire.
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
answered Feb 20 at 22:12
batsplatstersonbatsplatsterson
13.5k11741
13.5k11741
add a comment |
add a comment |
The lamps have been UL listed to allow the smaller wire, and that wire will go no farther than a junction box. And the lamp is in the jurisdiction of UL's rules and the product safety laws, not NEC.
In conduit, you are running single wires called THHN (or THWN-2, or the more deluxe XHHW) unless you are a masochist. The cost between #12 and #14 is fairly minor; I have 10 colors of THHN and I don't even bother owning any #14, just do it all in #12.
If your concern is that #12 wire is stiffer, than definitely use stranded #12 THHN. The stuff is a total pleasure to work with, though it can take a knack to twisting it tightly enough to put it on receptacle screws. Just get the $3 Leviton screw-to-clamp type receptacles and switches, that solves that.
If your concern is #12 won't fit in backstabs, that is correct, but backstabs are a reliability disaster and cause a tremendous number of arcing and unreliable connection complaints, so I would use the screws or screw-to-clamp.
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
add a comment |
The lamps have been UL listed to allow the smaller wire, and that wire will go no farther than a junction box. And the lamp is in the jurisdiction of UL's rules and the product safety laws, not NEC.
In conduit, you are running single wires called THHN (or THWN-2, or the more deluxe XHHW) unless you are a masochist. The cost between #12 and #14 is fairly minor; I have 10 colors of THHN and I don't even bother owning any #14, just do it all in #12.
If your concern is that #12 wire is stiffer, than definitely use stranded #12 THHN. The stuff is a total pleasure to work with, though it can take a knack to twisting it tightly enough to put it on receptacle screws. Just get the $3 Leviton screw-to-clamp type receptacles and switches, that solves that.
If your concern is #12 won't fit in backstabs, that is correct, but backstabs are a reliability disaster and cause a tremendous number of arcing and unreliable connection complaints, so I would use the screws or screw-to-clamp.
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
add a comment |
The lamps have been UL listed to allow the smaller wire, and that wire will go no farther than a junction box. And the lamp is in the jurisdiction of UL's rules and the product safety laws, not NEC.
In conduit, you are running single wires called THHN (or THWN-2, or the more deluxe XHHW) unless you are a masochist. The cost between #12 and #14 is fairly minor; I have 10 colors of THHN and I don't even bother owning any #14, just do it all in #12.
If your concern is that #12 wire is stiffer, than definitely use stranded #12 THHN. The stuff is a total pleasure to work with, though it can take a knack to twisting it tightly enough to put it on receptacle screws. Just get the $3 Leviton screw-to-clamp type receptacles and switches, that solves that.
If your concern is #12 won't fit in backstabs, that is correct, but backstabs are a reliability disaster and cause a tremendous number of arcing and unreliable connection complaints, so I would use the screws or screw-to-clamp.
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
The lamps have been UL listed to allow the smaller wire, and that wire will go no farther than a junction box. And the lamp is in the jurisdiction of UL's rules and the product safety laws, not NEC.
In conduit, you are running single wires called THHN (or THWN-2, or the more deluxe XHHW) unless you are a masochist. The cost between #12 and #14 is fairly minor; I have 10 colors of THHN and I don't even bother owning any #14, just do it all in #12.
If your concern is that #12 wire is stiffer, than definitely use stranded #12 THHN. The stuff is a total pleasure to work with, though it can take a knack to twisting it tightly enough to put it on receptacle screws. Just get the $3 Leviton screw-to-clamp type receptacles and switches, that solves that.
If your concern is #12 won't fit in backstabs, that is correct, but backstabs are a reliability disaster and cause a tremendous number of arcing and unreliable connection complaints, so I would use the screws or screw-to-clamp.
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
answered Feb 21 at 0:03
HarperHarper
73.7k448148
73.7k448148
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
add a comment |
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
Can't thank you and the other respondents enough. My biggest concern was pulling 4 or 5 solid #12s through the conduit and it didn't even occur to me to use stranded. This solves all my problems. Thanks again for all your help.
– Bob Clendenin
Feb 21 at 18:02
add a comment |