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-   -   10/2 wiring on 15 & 20 amp circuit (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=48451)

  • Dec 13, 2006, 06:39 PM
    nova0525
    10/2 wiring on 15 & 20 amp circuit
    I was wondering if it would be okay to use 10/2 wire on branch circuits in my house? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
  • Dec 13, 2006, 06:46 PM
    Morrowrj
    10/2 is good for up to 30 amps, and while the thicker wire can sometimes be cumbersome, it is more than adequate for current ratings
  • Dec 13, 2006, 08:14 PM
    labman
    Yeah, when I worked for a wire manufacturer, I was given a coil of 10-2. Ran a bunch of 20amp circuits with it. Tough to work with.
  • Dec 14, 2006, 04:05 PM
    andrewcocke
    I second:

    Safe: yea, definitely.

    Aggrivating: oh yea. Just try squeezing that stiff 10 gauge wire into a little metal box with a big square GFCI outlet inside.
  • Dec 14, 2006, 04:34 PM
    tkrussell
    Unless the length of the run is long and #10 is needed to reduce voltage drop, I see no benefit to using #10 for standard regular circuits in the house.

    Fisrt, the devices (outlets and switches) need to be rated to handle #10 wire, and not just try to squeeze the wire around the screws, and hope they are connected good. The connections will not be as tight as they should be.

    Many of the outlet boxes will need to be larger. Boxes have limits as to the total amount of the different size wires. If the box is plastic, look inside and you will see the total amount of each size wire allowed, and then deduct one for the device to be in that box. Plus the size wirenut needs to be larger and will take up more space and crowd the wires and device.

    Besides the stress of the connections and the difficulty folding the wires into the boxes, the cost of copper is expensive.

    I do not think this is such a good idea. Use all #12 cable, and spend your money more wisely on better grade outlets and switches.
  • Apr 26, 2012, 07:26 PM
    jimbobtheboss
    I see no problem as long as you pigtail all devices with either #12 or #14 wire, and use large (deep) boxes. 4 x 4 x 2.125 should be minimum box size.
  • Apr 27, 2012, 07:40 AM
    stanfortyman
    jimbobtheboss, please be aware of the dates of the posts you are replying to.

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