Does 15a breaker protect mixed 12/14 ga?
Old house wiring. I have a circuit that starts with 12 ga wire at panel. The 12 ga goes to a junction box that splits to a 12 ga branch to a light fixture and to a 14 ga branch that goes to (a junction box that supports) three other light fixtures. The 14 ga is knob and tube, but appears to be properly spliced with 12 ga in junction boxes. Is this “mixed gauge” wiring safe as long as it starts with a 15 amp breaker?
Replies
I'll chime in because it's 4:30 AM and I don't think anyone else is up. I would say mixed gauge is ok. Just think of it as a big feeder pipe (the 12 G wire) feeding the smaller pipes (the 14 g). As long as it on a 15 amp circuit, there won't be too much amperage on the 14 g wires. But I just do wiring on my house to save money.
Let the pros (4Lorn, Fonzie, others) give you the o.k. before you take it from me.
Edited 3/22/2003 5:05:24 AM ET by Ben
Yes keep it at 15 amps. You can always down size the breaker on larger gauge wire. As long as you use the breaker that's rated for the smallest wire in the run you'll be fine.
Who Dares Wins!
15A breaker is OK. But mark on the panel that it goes to 14G wire so it doesn't get a bigger breaker sometime.
Ben and Gunner. Good call. Mark128's thought about marking the home run in the panel is a grand idea. Giving people a clue that there is smaller gauge wire downstream would serve to explain the, apparently, undersized breaker and could save problems in the future.
you don't want a 20 breaker with the knob and tube....
stick with the 15.
otherwise.....the k and t could overheat before the breaker trips.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite