Just wanted to know if 12 gauge or 14 is good for all the lighting that I will install in a home. I know that according to code 12/2 is needed for gfci, bathroom, and kithchen use. What about lighting in a residential home?

You need to determine the "Load" for each circuit before you run wire.

Most general lighting loads are on a 15 amp circuit (#14 AWG copper). However, you can also use a 20 amp circuit (#12 AWG copper)

What code are you quoting here "I know that according to code 12/2 is needed for gfci, bathroom, and kithchen use" Load determines the breaker and the breaker determines the wire. Don is correct.

Residential lighting requires 14ga as a minimum.

All bathroom and kitchen GFCI requires a dedicated 20 amp line. As do a refrigerator and other appliances in a kitchen.

Some bathroom set-up need more than one 20 amp circuit. I.E. a fan/heater/light needs its own 20 amp separate from the other lights and receptacles.

The OP specifically asks about LIGHTING.

I entirely undertsand, his question was "What about lighting in a residential home" However as we ansered him the discussion started to include receptacles and applainces. I did not want any reader of this thread to walk away thinking a single dedicated line in a bathroom was always going to be the case. The fixture I mentioned in post #6 has a light and requires its own dedicated 20 amp circuit. The OP has not been here for over 3 weeks so it may be a mute point to make.

Just a point of clarification, a refrigerator on a dedicated or independent circuit does not require GFCI protection.

It does require adequate amperage and the appropriate circuit sizing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Handyman2007

As do a refrigerator and other appliances in a kitchen.

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Not at all true. A refer specifically can be placed on a dedicated 15A circuit, as can other appliances.

Besides, the OP asked about lighting,. four weeks ago. :D