Ask Me Help Desk - What amps to put on it

I finishing my attic into 2 rooms one a bedroom with closet and other half play area and closet. I was told to run 12 gauge for all outlets and 14 for all recessed light and switches. Now my issue is one room will have 9 outlets and 7 lights inc. the closet. The other has 6 outlets and 5 lights with closet. Now my thing is should I run one 12 for both rooms outlets and hooked up to a 20 amp or 2 separate on a 15 amp. And same with the lights 2 14 or one and on what amps 15 or 20 amp or can I run one for both and bridge them off to everything. Thanks

12 ga wire (yellow) requires a 20 amp breaker, and 14 gauge (white) wire requires a 15 amp breaker. Using a high amp breaker on the lower wire could cause the wire to burn up before the breaker blows. Also not wiring this way will not pass inspection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloesch14

I finishing my attic into 2 rooms one a bedroom with closet and other half play area and closet. I was told to run 12 gauge for all outlets and 14 for all recessed light and switches. Now my issue is one room will have 9 outlets and 7 lights inc. the closet. The other has 6 outlets and 5 lights with closet. Now my thing is should I run one 12 for both rooms outlets and hooked up to a 20 amp or 2 separate on a 15 amp. And same with the lights 2 14 or one and on what amps 15 or 20 amp or can I run one for both and bridge them off to everything. thanks

Both bedrooms require AFCI protected circuits for all outlets in the bedrooms. That includes smoke detectors in the bedrooms and at the top of the stairwell that requires 14-3 w/gnd on the AFCI branch circuit interconnections. You are not required to use 12-2 nmb w/gnd wiring. If you choose to do so then make sure wiring is not mixed in the branch circuits. (i.e. Smoke detectors, lighting/switching on 14-2 and 14-3 on one AFCI, while wall receptacles on 12-2 for the other AFCI circuit. (8 in bedrm 1, 5 in bedrm 2 = 13 receptacles on one 20 amp 12-2 BC) Also make sure luminaires do not exceed 100 va per housing for 15 amp circuit. I recommend using 2 15 amp circuits as mentioned.
Check with your local AHJ to make sure of the wiring for AFCI protection. From your description, both bedrooms can easily be supported by two AFCI branch circuits. Wiring the smoke detectors, and lighting, switch, and receptacle outlets together per 15 amp branch circuit to each room is the most economic and load balanced method that is compliant to NEC safety rules. Nm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloesch14

I finishing my attic into 2 rooms one a bedroom with closet and other half play area and closet. I was told to run 12 gauge for all outlets and 14 for all recessed light and switches. Now my issue is one room will have 9 outlets and 7 lights inc. the closet. The other has 6 outlets and 5 lights with closet. Now my thing is should I run one 12 for both rooms outlets and hooked up to a 20 amp or 2 separate on a 15 amp. And same with the lights 2 14 or one and on what amps 15 or 20 amp or can I run one for both and bridge them off to everything. thanks

Note that the other open room play area is qualified as a bedroom if it has a closet.