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    dababooze's Avatar
    dababooze Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 8, 2009, 05:38 PM
    Joining 2 different gauge wires
    I knocked down part of a wall and as a result need to move some outlet wires. I found a good and legal place to put a junction box but the existing wires are stamped 16amp (35yr old house),(I assume that means about a 14ga) and I have 20ga (romex 12/2)---the circuit has a 20amp breaker.
    Can I join these two gauges with no problem or do I need to go get some lighter gauge wire?

    Thanks for the help.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Apr 8, 2009, 06:59 PM

    You can not have 16 amp wire on a 20 amp breaker. You could however drop the breaker down to a new 15 amp breaker. What is on this circuit that would require 20 amps? Most residential baseboard outlets are 15 amp.
    dababooze's Avatar
    dababooze Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Apr 8, 2009, 07:44 PM

    Well, looks like I've got some work then-----I took all the info off the wire itself, checked and rechecked. Guess I got a problem.
    FYI--the circuit includes all the outlets on the bottom floor (townhouse).
    I'm going to have someone come over and check the wiring---thanks for the heads-up.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #4

    Apr 9, 2009, 08:33 AM

    I'd actually check the wire diameter and consult the tables to be sure. 16 AMP may have been used long ago, but let's hope it wasn't 16 AWG.
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