On Wed, 8 Jul 2020 23:27:21 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 7/8/2020 10:26 PM, Jim Joyce wrote:
On Wed, 08 Jul 2020 21:01:22 -0400, wrote:

On Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:45:10 -0500, Jim Joyce
wrote:

On Tue, 07 Jul 2020 19:58:37 -0400, wrote:

On Tue, 7 Jul 2020 12:56:29 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Monday, July 6, 2020 at 11:14PM, "Scott Lurndal" wrote:
writes:
Wiring up switch w/pilot light...

When wiring up a switch that requires another wire back from the load to attach to the switch to power the pilot-light (illuminated when ON).
Do I have to use #14 wire ?


Use the appropriate AWG for the breaker and length of run. On a 15A circuit, AWG14 is
the minimum AWG, it could be AWG12 for a long run. If the circuit is protected by a
20A breaker, AGW12 is the smallest size you can use.

Pretty much all new construction is going to use 12 gauge hot with maybe even 10 wire for a neutral.

Huh?
You must not see much actual construction.
In 1 & 2 family, 14-2 is alive and well for general lighting circuits.
#12 is only used for kitchens, laundries and bathrooms.

In my housing development, there isn't an inch of 14ga anywhere. All of the
120v circuit breakers are 20a and all of the Romex is yellow, no exceptions
for lighting circuits.

On the surface that might sound good but you usually end up with fewer
circuits. The breakers are sized by square footage, not the number of
outlets.

Yeah, I don't think it's a good thing. For example, the entire M-I-L suite
is served by a single 20a breaker. That part of the house includes a living
room, a bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom, all with lights and
receptacles throughout. It's basically an apartment inside the house, and
the whole thing is served by a single breaker.


Ouch! Was that wired by a pro? Lights and receptacles on the same
breaker?

Yes, the electricians are pros, but Fretwell is fond of saying any monkey
can get a license. I asked them about the wiring because I've had a lot of
electrical issues in the first year and they said that the builder, DR
Horton, wants them to do it that way. Take the 3-car garage, as another
example. A single 20a breaker covers 3 receptacles on the walls, 2
receptacles on the ceiling for the GDOs, a pair of light fixtures on the
driveway and 4 weatherproof receptacles on the exterior of the house. The
GFCI on that circuit was way too twitchy, tripping every week or two for no
reason, so they changed the breaker and it's been better so far. At my last
house, all of that was on 3 breakers rather than one.

All of the houses out here are the same way. I know because I've walked
through all of them while they were under construction. We talked about
that a while back.

My house is 1583 sq ft and has 16 breakers. Also have a **** load of
receptacles and switches.

My house is about twice that size with 19 breakers.