Resquapt 19: I was simply paraprhasing NEC 240.4, which says "conductors...shall be protected...in accordance with their ampacities." Yes, I realise that there are some code-compliant scenarios where you are allowed to vary, and these are listed as exceptions to 240.4 (2002).
Perhaps I assume too much, but it seems to me that someone asking about #14 wire isn't likely to have even heard of tap rules, etc.
Since everybody seems to be doing some sort of electric work these days, and they tend to think like plumbers (and size according to the load), I try to convince people that #14 does't really exist- since there is invariably a 20-amp breaker on the circuit.
I also note that there are many appliances common in homes today that draw uncomfortably near 15 amps: hair driers, microwaves, power tools, space heaters, etc.
So I try to keep it simple.
