Hi,

I bought a case of recessed lights that says' max (4) 12 awg through branch circuit conductors. The light circuit that I was planning of connecting to is 14 awg and connect to 20amps breaker. Entire house was wired with 14 awg (lights and plugs) with 20 amps breaker. Is there anyway I can used these lights using 14 awg? Also what does AC only means.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by adrien02

Hi,

I bought a case of recessed lights that says' max (4) 12 awg through branch circuit conductors. The light circuit that I was planning of connecting to is 14 awg and connect to 20amps breaker. Entire house was wired with 14 awg (lights and plugs) with 20 amps breaker. Is there anyway I can used these lights using 14 awg? Also what does AC only means.

Thanks

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-The 4 (12) conductors is a set number of conductors allowed in the fixture box per manufacture specifications, and depending on the box per NEC.
-#14AWG cannot be served by a 20A breaker per section 240.4. >Use a single pole 15A breaker only, or up size your conductor to #12 if you want to use a 20A breaker<
-Yes you can use the 14AWG for the lighting, unless you have a local code saying otherwise
-AC=Alternating Current or a-c current: It's a current that does not always flow in the same direction. To be practical, I can say all electricity used today is AC, because it's cheaper to produce, and more usable (or versatile).

I really need to reinforce what Washington has said about the #14 wire on 20 amp breakers.

If this is true, you have a serious issue that needs to be corrected.

20 amp breakers on #14 wire can cause overload of the #14 wire, as it should not be on any breaker larger than a 15 amp.

Any #14 wire with a 20 amp breaker needs to be changed to a 15 amp breaker.

How old is this house?

Who did the wiring?

Who ever did this needs to loose their license.

Sorry guys, I misstated my question.

It should have stated "max (4) 14 awg through branch circuit conductors" and planning of connecting to is 12 awg with 20amps breaker. Can I connect the light using 12 awg or 14 awg.

You stated that it was okay to go from a 14awg to 12awg on the same circuit (15 amps). (if permit allows).
Is it because if the circuit draws more the 15amp the breaker will trip (both wire can handle 15amps).

On the other hand , is it not okay to go from a 12 awg to 14awg on the same circuit (20 amp)? What if the circuit draws more the 15amps but less than 20amps, the 14awg can not handle this current and will it start to disintegrate (possible starting a fire) since the breaker will never trip.

Adrien,

Stop and re-read the postings please.

No one said it was okay to mix #14 and #12 gauge conductors as a blanket statement.

You can mix #14 and #12 gauge providing that you use a 15 amp breaker and nothing larger.

If you want to use a 20 amp breaker, the #14 gauge conductors in that particular circuit must be replaced by #12 gauge conductors.

If you run 20 amps through #14 gauge conductors, you will be creating a serious fire hazard. #14 AWG conductors will get to hot with 20 amps running through them.