I am working at a customer site in an area governed by 2005 NEC.

I am not responsible for the wiring; however, I have observed what may be problematic.

The contractor that is dealing with the electrical has run a 12-2 romex feed on a 20 breaker into a 4-gang switchbox. All romex leaving the box are 14-2.
The circuit is pulling 14.7 amps with all switches on and nothing plugged into the GFCI services by the same breaker.

I should probably add that I apprenticed as an electrician.

This does not seem to be a safe practice to me and if it is not to code, I need to give my customer chapter and verse as to why. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Well, if this is residential then the amperage is almost a non-issue. Unless it is feeding something like outdoor security lights which will be on all night, probably none of this is considered a continuous load.

That said, the guy installing this is a complete hack.
14/2 mixed with #12 on a 20A circuit is a clear violation. Sure, he could put in a 15A breaker and meet code, but that would be just as hack. Thing is, it's all wired already.
If it were me I'd have him run another 15A circuit (or two) to feed this load. He CANNOT leave that 20A breaker in there.

Tell your customer to get a real electrician in there, and if this guy calls himself one you tell him I said he was a hack and tell the customer to get a new one.

I realize that the work is incorrect. That being said, I cannot go to the customer with an "opinion", I need a code reference relating to the 2005 NEC which is the current governing authority in that municipality. Also, putting a 15AMP breaker where the usage exceeds 80% is not good idea as the breaker would/should give a thermal break. (IMO)

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Originally Posted by Handy Bear

I realize that the work is incorrect. That being said, I cannot go to the customer with an "opinion", I need a code reference relating to the 2005 NEC which is the current governing authority in that municipality.

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Why? Why is it your place to give code references? IMO all he needs to know is that it is wrong.

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Originally Posted by Handy Bear

Also, putting a 15AMP breaker where the usage exceeds 80% is not good idea as the breaker would/should give a thermal break. (IMO)

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What do you mean by usage? The 80% rule is only for continuous loads, and it is highly improbable that this is. That was my point.
Still, another circuit to share the load is only logical, regardless of code legality.

Change the breaker to a 15A, and add another circuit. Job done.

First, a little info on the home owner. He's confined to a wheelchair. As I hope we can agree, 14awg on a 20Amp breaker is a fire hazzard. Escaping a burning house for this man is improbable.

I actually care about my customers as I tend to establish long-term relations with them.

He is a new customer so my opinion means very little at this point of our business relationship.

If I am to challenge the work of the current electrician, I need to have a leg to stand on.

The primary question is what is the 2005 NEC code that applies in this situation. (12awg => 14awg on same branch)

If all you want to do is argue and not help, please refrain from any further posts.

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Originally Posted by Handy Bear

If all you want to do is argue and not help, please refrain from any further posts.

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Yes sir. I'll be a good boy.


#14 on a 20A breaker is most definitely a code violation. It burning down a house is not exactly what I'd call likely.

You can reference Table 310.16 and 240.4(D) in the 2005 NEC. This has been the case pretty much forever.

Thank you for your assistance. I am currently downloading the NEC 2005 handbook. Hopefully this will convince the contractor to do the right thing.

Put a 15 AMP breaker in and you are OK. You can run a 15 on 12AWG, it's commonly done long run.