On Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 10:31:10 AM UTC-4, dpb wrote:
On 8/17/2020 9:27 PM, Bill wrote:
Scott Lurndal wrote:
Bill writes:

I think it goes without saying that you should be running 20 amp
circuits (12 gauge wire), doesn't it? Use 15 amp for the lighting.

Or even AWG 10 for the 20A circuits if the run is long enough.


Just curious, what length (in feet) would justify that?

Surprisingly short if use full current ratings -- 20A @ 120V is 2% drop
at 36 ft for #12, 57 ft for #10. For 240V, double the distance (altho
rounding the numbers in the table are 71/113 instead of 72/114).


I found one calculator that said use 10 AWG at 16' for full 20 amps
at 120V, 1% drop.

What I don't like is that many of the calculators are strictly formula based
and don't factor in "code" in any way. Shorten the length enough and you can
use 14 AWG for a 20 amp draw. You'd think they'd include an "IF" clause that
didn't allow the calculator to go below the minimum gauge allowed based on
the amperage entered.