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. |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
How unsafe is running #14 off a 20a circuit?
The question about sticking a 20a breaker on an overloaded 15a circuit got
me to wondering. Last year I installed an invisible dog fence. The only outlet in the garage already had an extension cord in it that ran to the garage door opener. So, I ran #14 from the existing outlet (which I replaced with a GFCI) and put a new outlet on the ceiling for the garage door opener. When I was actually connecting up the wire, I realized the existing wire #12; I checked the breaker and sure enough it was a 20a. I was fooled since it was a 15a outlet, and code required a 20a outlet on a 20a circuit since it was the only outlet on the circuit. (at least that is my understanding) Since I didn't want to redo what I had already done, and I couldn't image why I would ever need 20a on the circuit, I replaced the 20a breaker with a 15a. Did I go to an unnecessary expense? Should I have just left the 20a breaker? I can't think of a single situation where leaving the 20a breaker would have been unsafe. Nothing but the garage door opener will ever plug into the ceiling outlet (with the #14), and it is all exposed to the air, so it is unlikely to overheat dangerously even if I did. Whatcha think? |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Maytag Touchpad and Electronic Control Circuit Board Assembly | Home Repair | |||
Newbie Service Panel Question | Home Repair | |||
Simple circuit to hold relay on after input falls | Electronics | |||
Is it a radial or ring circuit? | UK diy |