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    harveymasons's Avatar
    harveymasons Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 24, 2005, 04:09 PM
    Question on 12 gauge w/ 15 amp breaker
    Hello,

    Glad to have found this place.

    Just had a question regarding 12 gauge wiring. While I know it is unsafe to use 15 gauge for a 20 amp breaker, are there any safety concerns using 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit breaker? Reason I ask is I had recessed lights put in my basement and had 12 gauge wiring laying around and was told it was safe to use.

    Your help is greatly appreciated,

    Regards,
    Harvey
    Press2Esc's Avatar
    Press2Esc Posts: 251, Reputation: 10
    Full Member
    		  
    #2

    Jul 24, 2005, 05:39 PM
    Harvey,
    Generally speaking for copper wiring, 14guage (AWG) ia rated at 15A, 12AVG is 20A, and 10G is 20A. No problem with the current rating... Make sure you have a way to dissapate the heat from the recessed lights, especically if you are using a high wattage bulbs or halogen derivative..

    P2E

    Quote Originally Posted by harveymasons
    hello,

    Glad to have found this place.

    Just had a question regarding 12 gauge wiring. While I know it is unsafe to use 15 gauge for a 20 amp breaker, are there any saftey concerns using 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit breaker?? Reason I ask is I had recessed lights put in my basement and had 12 gauge wiring laying around and was told it was safe to use.

    your help is greatly appreciated,

    regards,
    harvey
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 24, 2005, 05:47 PM
    No problem. I added a bunch of circuits with 20 amp breakers and #10 wire. I came by a coil of it for free. A little harder to work with. Doubly so when I kept deciding to run one more length through the hole I drilled between the breaker box in the garage and my crawl space.

    Sticking with the 15 amp breaker will give more protection to a less then 15 amp load.
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