wrote in message
...
Here's a puzzler......

I put a permanent wall fan in my barn at the eaves. This is a small
motor fan, probably 1/10 to 1/4hp.at most. It's just there to vent
out the heat in the summer and/or manure odor. It makes the barn
better for animals. There is a control on the fan to turn it on at a
specified temperature (such as over 75deg). The outlet in the
adjoining feed room was the closest outlet, and is on a 20A breaker.
I needed to get this fan running this last summer when the outdoor
temp went above 90 deg. and I had a sick horse in there. I was out of
#12 romex, so I ran some #14 that I had. To speed up the job even
more, (and knowing it would have to be replaced), I did not hard wire
to the outlet, I just put a grounded plug on the end of the romex and
plugged it in to the outlet. As in all farm operations, nothing ever
gets done before some other job or chore comes along, so I have left
it the way it was. In some sense, I almost wonder if I should just
leave it, and I can unplug it during the cooler weather since it's not
needed.

My question is whether using #14 wires is up to code, when it's not
hard wired? For example, many lamps, radios, and other small
appliances have #18 or #16 cords, and they are plugged into 15 or 20 A
circuits. I'm just curious. One of these days I might find the time
to wire this properly and will have to add a switch so I can turn it
off when I want. But for now, it works and is safe at least according
to common sense, if not the code.

I don't think you can put a plug on romex; it isn't approved for that use.
As a practical matter though, what is going to happen?
To be dangerous you would have to have a overload on the 14 that isn't
enough to trip the breaker; yet is enough to start a fire.
While not impossible, it is most unlikely; especially if the the circuit is
dedicated to your little fan.
Its a judgement call.

The one time I was in a similar situation I changed the breaker, since there
was no need for 20a.