Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. The other answer indicates that it even with 12-2 you have to use a 15A breaker for lighting circuits which is not strictly correct. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used.
Also, what is the difference between 12 2 and 12 3 wire?
The designation 12/2 indicates AWG 12 wire with two conductors (AC hot and AC neutral), 12/3 indicates AWG 12 wire with three conductors (two AC hot and AC neutral). The load at the other end of the wiring connects between the black and white wires, and uses 120V to operate.
Also, how many amps will 12 2 wire carry? Size & AMP Ratings
| NM, TW, & UF WIRE (Copper Conductor) | SE CABLE (Copper Conductor) |
|---|---|
| 14 AWG – 15 AMPS | 8 AWG – 50 AMPS |
| 12 AWG – 20 AMPS | 6 AWG – 65 AMPS |
| 10 AWG – 30 AMPS | 4 AWG – 85 AMPS |
| 8 AWG – 40 AMPS | 2 AWG – 115 AMPS |
Secondly, is it OK to mix 12 and 14 gauge wire?
mixing 14-gauge NM and 12-gauge. both 14 and 12 gauge will be protected by a 15A breaker. Code states that 14Ga will be protected by an overcurrent device of not more than 15A and 12GA by 20A. 14 and 12 are both ok behind a 15amp breaker, but you must use one or the other and not both.
Can you use 14 2 outlets?
each outlet( receptacle, light) is roughly one amp so you can use 14-2 wire to 12 outlets protected by a 15 amp breaker. however if you use 12-2 you can use t-rated 20 amp receptacles however in my code you only generally see those in kitchens due to number of appliances.
19 Related Question Answers Found
Can I use 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit?
It is perfectly acceptable to use 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit. It shouldn’t, many older homes were wired with 12 gauge throughout. Apart from that, it is actually explicitly allowed by code.
What is a 12 3 wire for?
ROMEX® 12/3 wire is used in buildings for circuits that use higher amperage than the standard 20 amps. Most people are not familiar with this type of wire because it is used to hook up heavy-draw appliances such as water heaters and central air conditioning.
Can you use 12 3 wire lights?
(6) 12/3 can be used to equalize the voltage drop when feeding a long run of incandescent lighting outdoors. Use 12/2 from breaker to switch, and from switch to first light (or use 12/3 if you don’t have 12/2 and leave the red capped off), connecting wires in the normal way.
When should I use 12 gauge wire?
You must also use a 12-gauge wire when connecting an outlet rated for 20 amps, as many GFCI outlets are, even if the appliances you plug in are rated for only 15 amps.
What is a 12 2 wire?
“12-2” means 12 gauge, two insulated current carrying wires, plus a bare ground. 12-2 wire usually has a black, white and bare ground wire. Sometimes the white is red instead for 220V circuits without neutral. In the latter case, the sheath is usually red too.
Can I use 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
NEC 240.4(D)(3) states that 14 AWG must be protected at 15A. You can not use 14 AWG anywhere on a circuit that has a 20A breaker. If you are putting 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire, then you MUST use the screw terminals, not the back stab terminals. Just use the side terminals.
How do 3 way switches work?
“3-way” is the electrician’s designation for a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch. The switches must create a complete circuit for current to flow and the bulb to light. When both switches are up, the circuit is complete (top right). When both switches are down, the circuit is complete (bottom right).
Can I mix 10 and 12 gauge wire?
You haven’t said how you will manage the transition from 10 gauge to 12 gauge. If you are thinking of wire nuts in a junction box, then the answer is that you cannot do this safely. Your larger breaker (30A, the maximum 10 gauge is rated for) will not trip in this situation and the 12 gauge wire may start a fire.
How far can you run 12 gauge wire?
A 12 gauge wire is typically good for 15 amp at 100 feet.
Which is better 12 gauge or 14 gauge?
The diameter of solid 12 AWG wire is approximately 0.0808 inches (2.053 mm), and 14 AWG is 0.0641 inches (1.628 mm). Therefore, 12 AWG wire is about 26% thicker and has 59% more cross-sectional area than 14 AWG wire. For example, in the gauge system used for steel music wire, a bigger number means a bigger wire!
Can I use 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
12-gauge wire is the next size larger and is allowed to carry up to 20 amps. As a result, the amp rating of a circuit breaker has the following relation to the wire size that has been chosen. A 20-amp breaker is never* allowed to run any circuit whose wires (anywhere on the circuit) are 14-gauge.
How many outlets can you wire in series?
One rule of thumb is to assign a maximum draw of 1.5 amps to each receptacle, which allows for 10 receptacles on a 20-amp circuit.
How many outlets and lights can be on one circuit?
A maximum of 12 outlets may be connected to a circuit. This may consist of 12 light outlets or 12 plug outlets (not appliance plugs) or any combination of light and plug outlets mixeed, as long as their total number does not exceed 12 outlets.
What size wire for LED can lights?
State or city electrical codes may require a specific type and/or gauge of wire to safely install recessed lighting fixtures. The electrician will know these requirements. Typically, a 12-gauge cable with two insulated conductor wires and a ground wire are used.
How can you tell the difference between 12 and 14 gauge wire?
How do you tell if your old wiring is 12-gauge or 14-gauge? Here’s a simple visual. Twelve gauge is about the thickness of a nickel, and 14-gauge is about the thickness of a dime. Also, look at the breaker for the circuit in question to see if it’s a 15-amp or a 20-amp breaker.
Will 12 gauge wire carry 30 amps?
12 awg, cu conductors under the 60 degree C and 75 degree C columns have an “ampacity” (current carrying capacity under specific conditions of operation) of 25 amperes when installed under the conditions stated in the title of the table 310.16. No. 12 awg, cu under the 90 degree C has an ampacity of 30 amperes.
Will 8 gauge wire carry 50 amps?
8 AWG may carry a maximum of 70 Amps in free air, or 50 Amps as part of a 3 conductor cable. David, if that cable is NM (Romex) then it actually cannot carry 50 amps.
Will a 12 2 wire carry 30 amps?
Intentionally overload one 12-2 cable. This is also bad, but not as bad as paralleling, but there may be a way to “make it legal”. If you look in the code book, 12 AWG wire is legal to 30 amps if you can run it at 90 degrees C.
Can I use 12 gauge wire on a 25 amp breaker?
A 12 gauge wire is rated for 25 amps. NEC only allows for it to be protected at a max of 20 amps (unless following an exception for motor loads).