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#36330 04/04/04 10:26 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 25
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Randy Offline OP
Member
I posted this subject on the code forum, but would like to get other inputs on it.I've heard different views on using 14-2 soley as a swith leg on a 20 amp circuit. Is this code acceptable or not?

#36331 04/04/04 10:28 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 25
R
Randy Offline OP
Member
sorry, should be "switch" leg...

#36332 04/04/04 10:48 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
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Moderator
No.


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
#36333 04/04/04 12:52 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
R
Member
Randy, we can't change the answers that were given in the Code Forum, they are correct.

Why would you want to do this anyways?

BTW; If you want to edit your post for spelling (I do this more than I want to admit [Linked Image]) just click on this [Linked Image] in the top of your post.

Roger

#36334 04/04/04 01:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 25
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Randy Offline OP
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the reason I would want to do this is the fact that 14-2 is more than capable of handling the load requirement for a single switch leg. to me 12-2 to flip a light on is over kill. Light fixtures have 18 gage on 20 amp circuits and they are handling the very same load.

#36335 04/04/04 01:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 62
S
Member
The amperage on the 18 ga. fixture wire is limited by the wattage of the lamp. The switch wire on the other hand willl be loaded with the amperage of all the fixtures connected to it. Therefore, if you have twenty (120v) fixtures with a 100w lamp in each your circuit will be loaded to 16.7 amps and that will be the load on the 14/2 switch leg.

[This message has been edited by SteveMc (edited 04-04-2004).]

#36336 04/04/04 04:20 PM
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Posts: 840
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[Linked Image]


Peter
#36337 04/04/04 04:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
Instead of considering the load on this switch leg I suggest that we keep it simple.

It is a code violation.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#36338 04/04/04 06:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 558
G
Member
If there's a fire,and the insurance investigator finds that 14-2 sw.leg,whether or not that was the cause of the fire,that would be all the excuse they'ed need not to pay.

Russell

#36339 04/05/04 07:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 127
S
Member
If someone wanted to later add a switched outlet(s) to this same circuit using the existing 14-2 there would certainly be a greater potential for the "in-wall filament" syndrome.

Just my two cents' worth.


No wire bias here- I'm standing on neutral ground.
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