On 29 Aug 2010 16:24:26 GMT, (Scott Lurndal) wrote:

Bill writes:
wrote:
On Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:54:32 -0400, "Mike Marlow"
wrote:

Swingman wrote:
On 8/28/2010 7:43 AM, Morgans wrote:
Standardization.

So what is standard about using heavier wire than is called for? 15
amp and 14 ga. is what is standard. 20 amp feeds are only required
in a few areas of a house. They are what is not standard.

Not necessarily, and certainly not "standard" where I build ... 12ga
is the minimum allowed in residential construction around these parts
and you rarely see a 15A branch circuit, even for lighting in the most
inexpensively built home. AAMOF, I can't recall the last time I saw a
15A c'bkr in a 200A service panel.

There's not a single 15A c'bkr in my 200A service panel. But it appears
I need to put one in for my garbage disposal since it has a 14 gauge
wire leading to it from a duplex receptacle.

If by "leading to it from a duplex receptacle", you're referring to the
disposal cord with a molded NEMA 5-15P plug, it is ok for that to be AWG14;
the disposer has a circuit breaker/thermal disconnect that will protect
the wiring from the outlet to the disposal.

If it's a line cord, as opposed to being NM wired directly into the circuit,
yes, you are correct (it likely doesn't even need to be 14AWG). I read it as
being directly (permanently) wired in with NM.