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-   -   Pigtailing off a 14g outlet to a 12g new outlet (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=688231)

  • Jul 29, 2012, 10:02 AM
    joed256
    Pigtailing off a 14g outlet to a 12g new outlet
    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
  • Jul 29, 2012, 10:27 AM
    hkstroud
    No problem.
  • Jul 29, 2012, 07:05 PM
    donf
    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.

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