"mdb" wrote in message
newsWxJi.584$9r4.364@trnddc04...
I'm renovating my basement and have a pretty fundamental question about
the romex cable I'll be running throughout the space for lights and wall
jacks. I'm having my old Federal Pacific breaker panel (150 amps) replaced
with a new Cutler Hammer 200 amp box. Have hired an electrician to do that
work for me. But I wondered why I'd bother with 15 amp circuits (14-2
romex). Is there a reason not to simply make all three of the circuits
I'll be creating for the new basement 20 amp circuits, using 12-2 romex?
Or is there a fire/shock hazard caused by using the higher amperage
circuit breakers on those standard circuits.

Also, does on GFI protect the entire circuit on which it is located or do
I need to install more? My basement, like so many, sometimes gets wet when
the outside drains are blocked.


I agree with all the posts so far regarding this and here are my own reasons
for using all 20A stuff: Less wiring voltage drop (already mentioned) and
receptacles are usually built better and have thicker copper in them so they
hold a plug tighter. Other than that I personally don't find #12 that much
harder to work with but then again I have run 4/0 aluminum wire for a main
service entrance before.

The only rule I am aware of is that a single outlet 20amp circuit must have
a 20 amp receptacle (multiple 15 amp receptacles are OK on a 20 amp circuit)
but since I use 20 amp receptacles anyway for the better plug retention this
is a moot point.