DIYbanter - View Single Post - #14 Romex To Light From #12/20-amp?

Larry W[_3_]

In article ,
wrote:
On Sunday, January 26, 2014 11:06:37 AM UTC-5, Harry K wrote:
On Saturday, January 25, 2014 10:46:53 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Sat, 25 Jan 2014 10:06:13 -0800 (PST), Harry K
On Saturday, January 25, 2014 7:07:01 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Saturday, January 25, 2014 9:55:33 AM UTC-5, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
I've got an outlet box that is fed by #12 Romex backed by a 20-amp
breaker.
If I were to tap that box to feed a ceiling light, would #14 wire be
code-legal for box-to-ceiling-light?
No, unless you change the breaker to 15 amps.
That also should not be code compliant as someone could see the 12
guage wire coming off the breaker and change it back to 20amp.
Harry K
What code is that? The NEC does not address what an unqualified person
might do later.
NEC code does not even address anything about WHO wires it. Ever hear
about getting wiring inspected when selling a house? Violations don't
pass no matter who screwed it up.
Harry K
The point wasn't what NEC says about who wires it. The point was
that NEC doesn't prohibit what you and another poster claim.
Give us a cite to where the NEC says that you can't install 12 gauge
wire on a 15 amp breaker, then use 14 gauge to extend the run to
some lights. AFAIK, there is no such restriction and Gfre apparently agrees.

As a matter of fact, at other places in the code you will find that
under certain circumstances e.g. long runs from the breaker box, it
REQUIRES that 12 gauge wire be used on 15 amp circuits...

--
Often wrong, never in doubt.

Larry W. - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org