Question about 12-2


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Old 12-04-07, 07:12 PM
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Question about 12-2

I live in a condo that was built in 1940. I have an outlet that is wired with 12-2 coming from the crawl space. I was hoping to branch of that 12-2 in order to bring power to some other lights I am installing. My question is can I branch of the 12-2 wire with 14-2 wire? Thanks for any help anyway might provide.
 
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Old 12-04-07, 07:31 PM
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I would suggest sticking with the 12/2 wire. I don't imagine a huge price difference. With a 12/2 you may have a 20 amp circuit breaker. If there is any 14/2, you must only use a 15 amp breaker. I'm not an electrician though, this is just info I've gathered from other posts.
 
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Old 12-04-07, 07:40 PM
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It would be very dangerous to use 14/2 unless you know things you don't know. So use 12/2.

If this is ungrounded cable (likely), then code does not allow you to extend it at all.
 
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Old 12-04-07, 07:44 PM
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You could only use 14/2 if you change the breaker to 15 amp but there is a risk that some else will see the 12/2 in the panel and change it back to a 20 amp thinking that it is safe. Stick with the same wire.
 
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Old 12-05-07, 06:04 PM
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There is code... and what you would think would work. If these lights are are a combined 100 watts I would think you are ok. Going with a heavier gage wire is never a bad idea.
 
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Old 12-05-07, 07:40 PM
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nagra4s,

There is no provision in the code for wiring lights on a 20 amp circuit with 14 gage wire.
 
 

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