Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize
I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
"Em" was just pondering this little gem:
I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, YES! and b) why is that? So you can sleep at night? Thanks Your welcome. ;-) |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
It may be a lot easier to put a 15 a breaker on that circuit. If 15 will
carry the other things on that circuit, then you are done. -- Steve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org "Em" wrote in message ... I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks |
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
"Em" wrote in message
... I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks So, when one of the wirenuts starts getting loose and causes an 19A circuit, you feel safe knowing that the 20A breaker won't trip, but the 14awg wiring isn't rating for 19A? |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
Em wrote:
I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks While replacing the cable would be good, it might be better to just swap out the breaker. -- Joseph Meehan Dia 's Muire duit |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
I don't believe there is anything in the code to prevent you from changing
the breaker to protect the smallest conductor, but IMO, despite labels and tags, it would seem to me all to easy for someone down the line to inadvertently put a 12 gauge conductor back on a 20 amp breaker, not knowing what you've done. I would change the cable to the light. "Em" wrote in message ... I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
RBM wrote:
I don't believe there is anything in the code to prevent you from changing the breaker to protect the smallest conductor, but IMO, despite labels and tags, it would seem to me all to easy for someone down the line to inadvertently put a 12 gauge conductor back on a 20 amp breaker, not knowing what you've done. I would change the cable to the light. That is a good catch and I agree. The better way is to change out the cable. If it is not specifically in the code, it certainly is in the spirit of the code. -- Joseph Meehan Dia 's Muire duit |
#8
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
Jackson wrote:
"Em" was just pondering this little gem: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, YES! and b) why is that? So you can sleep at night? What if he turns off the light at night? Could he sleep then? |
#9
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
I would replace the cable. Either that or stuck a small fuse (1-2A
quick blow) on the part where the #14 taps into the 20A circuit. |
#11
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
On Mar 26, 2:30�pm, "Joseph Meehan"
wrote: wrote: On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks Is it a code violation, certainly. Will your house explode in flames? no. 14ga wire will carry 20a all day long, even at the 60c rating. 310.16 says so * * At least in theory which is why there is a safety factor built into the code. *BUT 240.4(D) says you shall protect it with a 15a breaker to build in the 80% safety factor. If the real load is limited to a single luminaire it is not really a hazard but it is still against code. -- Joseph Meehan *Dia 's Muire duit Come home resale time a nosy inspector will find it. As you do the job the 2nd time you will have learned a lesson and will avoid doing the same misrtake again |
#12
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote:
I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks I dont' like using anything less than the same size as a branch circuit, but I was told in an example like this, that you can use 14# taps in a 20a circuit. As long as the tap doesn't feed something to over current the 14#. Now I didn't verify this, since I use the same size, so check with your electrical codes. tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com |
#13
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
We went over this some months back, and I don't believe anyone could come up
with a code violation, which seems strange to me, but I know I couldn't find one wrote in message news On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks Is it a code violation, certainly. Will your house explode in flames? no. 14ga wire will carry 20a all day long, even at the 60c rating. 310.16 says so BUT 240.4(D) says you shall protect it with a 15a breaker to build in the 80% safety factor. If the real load is limited to a single luminaire it is not really a hazard but it is still against code. |
#14
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
On Mar 26, 3:15?pm, "RBM" rbm2(remove wrote:
We went over this some months back, and I don't believe anyone could come up with a code violation, which seems strange to me, but I know I couldn't find one wrote in message news On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks Is it a code violation, certainly. Will your house explode in flames? no. 14ga wire will carry 20a all day long, even at the 60c rating. 310.16 says so BUT 240.4(D) says you shall protect it with a 15a breaker to build in the 80% safety factor. If the real load is limited to a single luminaire it is not really a hazard but it is still against code.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - somone 30 years from now could plug a power saw into a screw in adapter and pull the full load 20 amps plus the breakers over currtent amount. 24 amps on 14 gauge NOT GOOD AT ALL! Yiour use may not be the next owners use |
#15
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
Not if it's on a 15 amp breaker, which was the OP's solution
wrote in message oups.com... On Mar 26, 3:15?pm, "RBM" rbm2(remove wrote: We went over this some months back, and I don't believe anyone could come up with a code violation, which seems strange to me, but I know I couldn't find one wrote in message news On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks Is it a code violation, certainly. Will your house explode in flames? no. 14ga wire will carry 20a all day long, even at the 60c rating. 310.16 says so BUT 240.4(D) says you shall protect it with a 15a breaker to build in the 80% safety factor. If the real load is limited to a single luminaire it is not really a hazard but it is still against code.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - somone 30 years from now could plug a power saw into a screw in adapter and pull the full load 20 amps plus the breakers over currtent amount. 24 amps on 14 gauge NOT GOOD AT ALL! Yiour use may not be the next owners use |
#16
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
On 26 Mar 2007 13:22:29 -0700, "
wrote: On Mar 26, 3:15?pm, "RBM" rbm2(remove wrote: We went over this some months back, and I don't believe anyone could come up with a code violation, which seems strange to me, but I know I couldn't find one wrote in message news On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:17:05 -0400, "Em" wrote: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks Is it a code violation, certainly. Will your house explode in flames? no. 14ga wire will carry 20a all day long, even at the 60c rating. 310.16 says so BUT 240.4(D) says you shall protect it with a 15a breaker to build in the 80% safety factor. If the real load is limited to a single luminaire it is not really a hazard but it is still against code.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - somone 30 years from now could plug a power saw into a screw in adapter and pull the full load 20 amps plus the breakers over currtent amount. The screw-in adapters I've seen were rated 250W. 24 amps on 14 gauge NOT GOOD AT ALL! Yiour use may not be the next owners use -- Mark Lloyd http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com "So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence." --Bertrand Russell |
#17
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
Noozer wrote:
"Em" wrote in message ... I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks So, when one of the wirenuts starts getting loose and causes an 19A circuit, you feel safe knowing that the 20A breaker won't trip, but the 14awg wiring isn't rating for 19A? Em, Is the 14awg cable switched, or not switched? If it's switched, I would leave it alone (even though it is a technical code violation) because nobody is gonna come along later and extend the circuit and install a half dozen receptacles. If it is not switched, you have to be concerned with what some idiot is going to add on to it 20 years from now. Noozer, 14 gauge copper wire *is* rated for 20A, the code just says you have to derate it to 15A anyway. Your 19A scenario wouldn't hurt anything. Bob |
#18
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
|
#19
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
I agree. I've never seen an inspector give wiring a second glance. And
I've never seen one open any box except the breaker panel. -- Steve Barker YOU should be the one controlling YOUR car. Check out: www.lightsout.org "Bud--" wrote in message .. . You really have a fixation with home inspectors. No home inspectior is going to find a piece of #14 to a fixture buried downstream on a 20A circuit. -- bud-- |
#21
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
"HeyBub" then asked Jackson wrote: "Em" was just pondering this little gem: I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, YES! and b) why is that? So you can sleep at night? What if he turns off the light at night? Could he sleep then? As long as the light is the only thing on the circuit......... ;-) |
#22
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
Adding 14awg wire to 20A circuit
"RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in message ... I don't believe there is anything in the code to prevent you from changing the breaker to protect the smallest conductor, but IMO, despite labels and tags, it would seem to me all to easy for someone down the line to inadvertently put a 12 gauge conductor back on a 20 amp breaker, not knowing what you've done. I would change the cable to the light. Agreed. "Em" wrote in message ... I added a light fixture to an existing 20A 12awg circuit, and didn't realize I used 14awg romex until I was done. The new fixture wouldn't overload even a 15A circuit, so a) are you gonna tell me I have to fix my error and put in the larger cable, and b) why is that? Thanks |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Adding Separate Ground Wire to 2-wire Circuit | Home Repair | |||
Using #14 wire for one light on 20A breaker | Home Repair | |||
When (if ever) can 14ga wire be used with 20A circuit breaker? | Home Repair | |||
When to use 15A vs. 20A circuits (and #14 vs #12 wire)? | Home Repair | |||
How unsafe is running #14 off a 20a circuit? | Home Repair |