ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (ale348), 302 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1
C
CMJ Offline OP
New Member
I added a chandelier in a dining room between 2 can lights.I tapped off of the can lights with 14/2 romex to the chandelier. The can lights were ran in 12/2 and the circuit is on a 20 amp breaker. I believe this is against code, should I be worried that the 14/2 could overheat and cause a fire???? Because I'm a bit worried that this could be a real issue.

Last edited by CMJ; 05/07/17 12:00 AM.
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 80
L
Member
Being an Australian, I'm no expert on the NEC, but I'll give my 2 cents anyway:

Technically, 14/2 can probably handle 20A under ideal conditions (free air, not surrounded by thermal insulation, not bundled with other cables). The question, then, is what conditions you've installed it in (i.e. how far will it have to be de-rated). I'm not that familiar with the "official" ratings, however, so I'll leave other members experienced with the NEC to answer with them.

In all likelihood, what you've set up will work fine, as long as that chandelier is within the rating of the 14/2. But I'm not one who likes to take reasonably avoidable risks - however small - and I'm quite sure others here would agree. If I was doing this, I would have used the 12/2 unless I was really strapped for cash; if mainly to be consistent with the rest of the circuit (preventing any future confusion).

Last edited by LongRunner; 05/07/17 05:22 AM.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
From a practical sense it is not particularly dangerous since this is a fixed load assuming we are not talking about a ball room luminaire with 1000 bulbs in it but it is still a code violation.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 947
T
twh Offline
Member
Is there a tap rule?

A #14 wire is fine with 20 amps but the termination point will overheat. This happens on a 3 wire circuit when the hots are the same phase. The neutral bar gets hot and everything near the overloaded termination gets crispy. Because you ran a tap, it will be okay; and, the 20 amp breaker probably isn't loaded to 20 amps.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
Note that the tap rules are in the over current article. A 14ga tap on a 20a circuit would still need 15a Over current protection somewhere. As close as you get is fixture wires but that needs to be within the listed equipment.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 947
T
twh Offline
Member
Originally Posted by gfretwell
Note that the tap rules are in the over current article. A 14ga tap on a 20a circuit would still need 15a Over current protection somewhere. As close as you get is fixture wires but that needs to be within the listed equipment.


For the Canadians who read this, we have a tap rule (30-412) that allows a 7.5m (24.5 foot) tap with a #14 from a 20 amp circuit, for one light or one row of lights provided #14 is large enough for the load. So, it is safe in the North but not in the South.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
I agree with what Greg said a few comments up. Yes, it more than likely will be 'ok' dependent on the load of the fixture(s). But, it is a violation as the NEC regardless.

Now, does this happen? Likely yes. Have I red tagged this scenario? I would IF I came upon it.


John

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5