![]() ![]() Flexible cord and flexible cable, including tinsel cord and extension cords, and fixture wires shall be protected against overcurrent by either 240.5(A) or (B). Lighting units, cord-and-plugconnected utilization equipment notįastened in place, or both, are also supplied.Ģ40.5 Protection of Flexible Cords, Flexible Cables, and Fixture Wires. Not exceed 50 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating where Utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires, shall (2) Utilization Equipment Fastened in Place. ![]() Shall not exceed 80 percent of the branch-circuit ampere rating. The rating of any oneĬord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment not fastened in place Permitted to supply lighting units or other utilization equipment, orĪ combination of both, and shall comply with 210.23(A)(1) and (A)(2).Įxception: The small-appliance branch circuits, laundry branchĬircuits, and bathroom branch circuits required in a dwelling unit(s)īy 210.11(C)(1), (C)(2), and (C)(3) shall supply only the receptacleĮquipment Not Fastened in Place. A 15- or 20-ampere branch circuit shall be Through (D) and as summarized in 210.24 and Table 210.24. The loads specified according to its size as specified in 210.23(A) A branchĬircuit supplying two or more outlets or receptacles shall supply only In no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating. An individual branch circuit shall be permitted to supply any load for which it is rated, but in no case shall the load exceed the branch-circuit ampere rating.Ģ10.23 Permissible Loads, Multiple-Outlet Branch Circuits. These requirements are not new in the 2014 standard.Ģ10.22 Permissible Loads, Individual Branch Circuits. Note: In the 2011 edition, the text of 210.22 and 210.23 were in a single clause, but essentially said the same thing. combination switch/occupancy sensor, combination switch/timer) have wires smaller than 14AWG. ceiling fans, dome lights) and light switches with built-in wires (e.g. Note: This is why many lighting fixtures (e.g. I think this is the situation Niall C's answer was explaining.įixture wires in either case must comply with the requirements listed in 240.5. If necessary, I would highly recommend labeling the circuit at the breaker with a note explaining the combination of 12AWG and 14AWG wire on the circuit. In general, I would recommend avoiding mixing 14AWG and 12AWG on the same circuit to avoid confusion. If only part of the circuit is 12AWG while other parts are 14AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 15A breaker must be used because of the allowable ampacity through 14AWG. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used. 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. Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. You'll probably also find that you won't be able to use the insertion fittings on the back of the switches (but that's OK, IMO, because I always use the screws), and you definitely won't be able to use the electrical nuts that come with your lights, so you'll have to get your own (and making a secure connection might be trickier with 12 gauge). Cons: it's more expensive, harder to work with than 14/2 cable, and you may need to use larger junction boxes because the NEC allows fewer 12 gauge conductors than 14 gauge in a given volume box.Pro: 12/2 cable is a slightly better conductor of electricity, so you'll have slightly less loss between the service panel and your fixtures.You should label the wire that it is 15A, not 20A, so that someone else doesn't come along and treat it as a 20A circuit. Since the maximum current on the circuit will be 15A, you won't need special switches. As long as you have a 15A circuit breaker on that circuit, it's OK to use 12/2 NM cable for your lights. ![]()
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