I just bought a new house and was repairing a broken wire that I found in the basement.

The broken wire was 12AWG and runs directly off a 20amp breaker. When I opened the junction box, I found that, the 12AWG line splits into two other lines (one goes to a light in the basement, and one goes to an outlet for the stove). These 2 lines are 14AWG.

Is this up to code? Can you run 14AWG wires off a 12AWG line?

In a word, "No". You can't derate the wire. Anything coming off a 20 amp fuse must be 12 AWG or better.

... a stove outlet on 14 AWG wire?

Actually you can have a 12 AWG wire mixed in with 14 AWG. However, you cannot run 20 Amp in this circuit. The limitation is tied to the "Weakest Link" which would be the 14 AWG.

NEC Code limits the amperage carried by a 14 AWG wire to 15 amps. Since you cannot exceed the 15 amps, the breaker protecting this circuit can be no larger that 15 amps.

My suggestion is to get a licensed electrician out to take a look at the wiring. It is much better than calling your insurance agent to get reimbursed for the fire that may well occur.

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Actually you can have a 12 AWG wire mixed in with 14 AWG. However, you cannot run 20 Amp in this circuit. The limitation is tied to the "Weakest Link" which would be the 14 AWG.

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Isn't that basically what I said?

No, I'm saying the direct opposite.

I'm saying that you can mix 12 AWG and 14 AWG together, but the circuit must be protected by a 15 am breaker. You cannot use a 20 amp breaker on a 14 AWG section.

The entire circuit can be no greater than 15 amp.

Unless, you are speaking of a voltage drop situation where you need to use a higher amperage to get the voltage you need at the load end.

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Originally Posted by Perito

Isn't that basically what I said?

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Yes!

Donf just added more information! ;)

Short answer is no. Long answer is: yes if you change the breaker to 15amp.

I just clarified what everyone already said.

Too much turkey.

Who you calling a turkey?