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View Full Version : Pigtailing off a 14g outlet to a 12g new outlet


joed256
Jul 29, 2012, 10:02 AM
Hi. I recently Pigtailed off an existing outlet that was 14g wire and ran to a new outlet that I installed with 12 gauge wire. Any problem with this? The new outlet is for a cable box and DVD player so there will not be much draw

hkstroud
Jul 29, 2012, 10:27 AM
No problem.

donf
Jul 29, 2012, 07:05 PM
The simple answer is yes, but with clarifications.

!4 AWG and 12 AWG refer to the size of the wire, not the recepctales. A 14 AWG cable can carry 15 Amps. So you would use a 15 amp receptable. A 12 AWG cable can carry 20 amps and you should use a 20 amp receptacable for this circuit.

Because you have a multi-outlet branch circuit, you must limit the load to no more than 12 amps. This includes the new receptacle.

What you cannot do is to put a 20 breaker on the circuit, doing so may cause a fire.