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What size copper wire would you use if the circuit ampacity did not exceed 40 amps?

#8 copper or #6 aluminum.

Thanks, man I'm confused. I'm in my first year and my instructor is throwing NEC stuff at us. I guess it's a good thing though other instructors don't agree with him. I'm just glad he's doing it because NEC is a big part of being an electrician.

Andy,

I don't know what state you're in but here it's standard practice for 1st year apprentices to start learning the code on day 1. Get used to it.

It's never to early to start learning the code, and if you stick with it, you'll be learning it for the rest of your life.

Let me give you some advice, if you don't mind. If you have a question, don't hesitate to discuss it in class with your instructor.

Posting a question and getting an answer is not doing you any good. All you get is an answer and you haven't learned anything. If you are really stumped on something or your instructor is not making something clear enough, ask away by all means.

Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions in class. That's why you have an apprenticehip and classroom instruction: to discuss and learn trade practice and the NEC. Take advantage of this valuable time to learn as much as possible; you will be much better off later on.

I hope this helps.

Peter D.



[This message has been edited by CTwireman (edited 01-03-2005).]

Coastal:
I know "8 CU or 6 Al" is just a code referenced answer, but do they let you use #6 Al in your area? Around here all the local AHJs allow nothing smaller than #2 Al.

Steve is that local amendment?

The NEC still allows the use of 12 AWG AL if you could find it.

AL of today is a different AL then the 1970s.