![]() On the contrary, the 12 gauge wire can handle up to 20 amp circuit breakers. If the amp exceeds 15, the wire will overload and melt. The 14 gauge wires are designed for 15 amp circuits and not beyond that. They have less conductivity and durability and are cheaper.Īlso read: How To Tell If Wire Is 12 Or 14 Gauge? Wire size and circuit breaker go hand in hand. On the contrary, 14 gauge wires are slightly thinner, lighter, and have less strength than the 12 gauge wires. They have good conductivity and durability and are thus expensive. The 12 gauge wires are thicker, heavier, and stronger. If you force the wire to handle current flow more than its capacity, it will overheat and cause a short circuit and fire. The gauge number will tell you the load your wire can handle. You could have used it for the higher amp circuits.īelow are some things which you must keep in mind while combining them in the same circuit: Select the correct gauge to avoid overloading.īefore you think of mixing two different wire gauges in the same circuit, you should know the importance of gauge numbers and their usage. Remember that though mixing the two wires is fine in a 15 amp circuit, it will be a waste of the 12-wire gauge. If you have a 15 amp circuit, you might be allowed to mix the 12 and 14-gauge wires in the circuit.īut, if you have a 20 amp circuit, please avoid the combination.Ī 14-wire gauge is not the right size to be used in a 20 amp circuit. It generally depends on the current draw of your circuit. ![]() However, it completely depends on the circuit.īut, on one condition, you may join both wires. Mixing them can cause a short circuit, wire melting, explosion, and fire hazards. So, you cannot use them in 20 amp circuits.Ĭombining the wires in the same circuit is not recommended because both wires serve different circuits. ![]() The 14-gauge wires are thinner, weaker, and lighter than the 12-wire gauges. So, they are usually used in houses with 20 amp circuits. The 12 gauge wires are thicker, stronger, and heavier. 2 gauge wire – 95 amps Can I mix a 12-wire gauge and a 14-wire gauge?ġ2-wire gauges are much better than the 14-wire gauges.The appliance will draw the required wire without any overheating. You need to plug in an appliance that draws a limited amount of power wired with heavier gauges. It will end up melting the wire insulation and fire hazards. If the breaker fails, the heater will draw more power than the wire can handle. If you plug in a heater rated at 20 amps into a 15 amp circuit wired with 14 gauge wire, there is a chance of a hazard. So, the wires also help in safeguarding the circuit breakers and fuses. The danger of overloading can happen anytime while plugging an appliance that consumes more current than the circuit can handle. So, it would be best to guard the breaker and fuses against exceeding the amp rating. The devices are designed to detect and understand the current load and react to the overload by tripping or blowing before a dangerous condition occurs. However, they do not completely protect them. The circuit breakers and fuses protect the wires from overheating and overloading. Can I use a 12 gauge wire in a 15 amp circuit? Why are wire gauges and circuits important?.What does the code say about mixing two different wire gauges?.Different wire gauges and their applications.When can I connect the different gauge wires?.Why should we not mix two different wire gauges?.Wire size and circuit breaker go hand in hand.Select the correct gauge to avoid overloading.Can I mix a 12-wire gauge and a 14-wire gauge?.Why are wire gauges and circuits important?.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |