On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 10:52:15 -0400, wrote:

On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 08:54:47 -0400, Tom The Great
wrote:

The only reason, which is enough, that a 14# wire is protected by a
15a breaker, is there is a paragraph about not using it for greater
than 15amps. The NEC clearly states that it is 'safe' for 20 amps,
just that in general residental use, you must limit it to 15 amps.
This is from memory, please check the codes yourself.

It used to be a footnote to 310-16 and now it has moved to 240.4(D)
The intent is to build the 80% ampacity rule into the circuits that
are likely to have multiple receptacles on them because the installer
has no control on what the user will plug in.


"footnote" or "fine print note"

The code seems to tell you that FPN's are unenforcible, so that makes
sense why I sometimes still find 20amp bkr's on a 14# wire in older
homes.

later,

tom @ www.WorkAtHomePlans.com