DIYbanter - View Single Post - How To Wire Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal on Same Circuit

The Daring Dufas[_8_]

On 12/8/2013 5:54 PM, wrote:
On Sun, 08 Dec 2013 16:35:48 -0500, wrote:

Mixing 12ga and 14ga on one branch? That sounds like a real no-no,
even if you used a 15A breaker.

Not illegal or even unusual.
If you had a post light and a gate opener at the end of a long
driveway you might want 12ga on your 15a circuit going down there,
just for the voltage drop and between the opener and the light, 14
would be fine.

Is it worth doing to save a nickel on this 3' of 14. Not really but
it might not be illegal.

Bear in mind there are a few jurisdictions in the US that won't let
you use 14 for anything but that is a local amendment, made by idiots.

The city engineering department around here wants the breaker sized for
the wire. It's possible that in the warmer temperatures we experience
here in Alabamastan, the wire and breakers must be derated to deal with
it to prevent nuisance tripping. I have checked the temperatures of many
electrical panels with my infrared thermometer and they get quite hot at
times under normal loads. Of course I'm looking for that hottest breaker
which could indicate a bad connection. ^_^

TDD