I'm replacing all the wiring in my house and I wanted to know if I can use 14-2 wiring from the outlets in the room (4-5 outlet plus light per room) I wired all the rooms up with 12-2 and used a 20 amp breaker. I would assume that a light fixture from an outlet could never overload but if there was a problem with the 14-2 overheating somehow it wouldn't trip the breaker until it hit the 20 amp mark. I wanted to know what the code says. I could just use 12-2 but I have over 1000 feet of 14 laying around..

I have one more question. If I relocated a 100 amp service to the second floor of a duplex can I put it on a wall in the middle of the house. (piped in from the meter up the side of the house, piped across the floor and inside wall) My friend told me that it has to be a outer wall of the house but I think he's wrong. Thanks in advance.

#1If you put 14 in the circuit, you need to change the breaker to a 15Amp. Normally, lights are separate from the outlets since you will be in the dark if the circuit goes. Why not use 14 AWG to a junction box in the ceiling and then switch loop the lights. #@Doesn't have to be on an outer wall, can't be in a bathroom. Depending on the state, some meter and service disconnects are required outside so emergency personnel can shut off the power before entering the house. My 200 Amp breaker panels (2 houses) are located in the basements in the middle of the house with main disconnects outside below the meter base.

You can mix lighting and receptacles if you like. In a modern wired home the chances of a breaker tripping are slim, and the whole "you'll be in the dark" thing is kind of silly IMO. There is always other light or a way to see. Unless of course you are in the bathroom with the door closed. :)
You CANNOT however mix wire sizes unless you breaker for the smallest wire used. No matter if it is just feeding one light. Also, this scenario can cause some code violations as well. There are certain areas where lighting and receptacles cannot be mixed, and some areas that require 20A circuits.


From your description you did create a pretty serious violation by piping all the way inside your house from the meter. You are only allowed a few feet inside the structure before you hit the main disconnect. Some areas require an outside disconnect regardless.

I think you jumped into this without really knowing what you are doing. Electrical work is far more than simply knowing how to twist wires and make it work. There are tons of very important codes involved. I honestly think you should read up on the codes in your area before continuing, or you may wind up having to rip out a lot of your hard labored work.

By this statement you made:

I wired all the rooms up with 12-2 and used a 20 amp breaker

You now cannot use any #14 wire, unless these circuits are protected by a 15 amp breaker, so your assumption is incorrect.

I agree with Stan, you are lacking knowledge of so many codes and requirements.

Most of the circuits need to be Arc Fault protected.

NEC requires smoke detectors to be Arc Fault protected, but many local and state codes have waived this and DO NOT WANT smoke detectors on Arc Fault protection.

You will be installing a smoke detector in each bedromm and one on each level in comon areas, correct?

You do have the proper permits and there will be inspection by the local authority having jurisdiction, to catch any mistakes you made?

Any chance you can provide photos of your installed wiring, outlets, etc?

When you say, "If I relocated a 100 amp service to the second floor of a duplex... "

Do you mean a single two story home or an actual duplex?

Also, please tell me how you plan to remove all the old wiring and why you would ever want to do that as opposed to abandoning the old wiring and fishing the new cable.

Are you renovating the duplex?