10 or 12 guage

tropic home · 11-30-2006, 09:13 AM

Here in Costa Rica what gauge romex should I purchase for house hold wiring, 10 or 12 guage. And what should I use to run 220 to my workshop (under ground) Not sure if it matters, but here the power is inconsistant with frequent outages.

Speedy Petey · 11-30-2006, 03:19 PM

I can't imagine it is that different down there.
Use #12 & #14. #10 is used mainly for dryers and water heaters and that's it.

If you want to run a feeder to the garage use anything from #6 to #2 copper to the garage. It depends on what you want to do out there.

tropic home · 12-03-2006, 08:58 AM

Is it better to go heavier? What would you run? #12 in the house, #10 to dryer and water heater, and #2 to the workshop? or is it overkill?

Thanks for the info

Speedy Petey · 12-03-2006, 10:27 AM

Basically what you said. Except I run #14 for some general receptacles and pretty much ALL lighting. I keep circuits to 8 or so receptacles and lighting I keep on the "light" side so fixtures can be safely added to circuits later.
I'd rather run more #14 circuits than less #12 circuits.

sjrhome · 12-04-2006, 07:04 AM

Im not an electrician, but I always use 14 wire on 15 amp breakers and 12 on 20 amp breakers.

mike p · 12-07-2006, 09:10 AM

I Need To Run Tempory Ele To A Shed If I Use 12g (&30 Amp Breaker) Wire At A Distance Of 180' What Size Motor Or Amps Can I Run With Out Hurting Motor

jproffer · 12-07-2006, 11:08 AM

You can't use a 12 gauge conductor on a 30 amp breaker.

15A = 14 gauge
20A = 12 gauge
30A = 10 gauge

and at 180' you probably shouldn't use 10 gauge either.

tropic home · 11-18-2007, 07:58 AM

OK, I have had 12 gauge Romex shipped down in 2 and 3 wire and I am ready to start pulling. I will use 14 gauge to run from swithes to light fixtures, but plan on using 12 for the rest (8 or so recepticals on a 20 amp circuit?). For my instant water heaters (point of use) and dryer can I use the 3 wire to supply (2) 110 to provide 220? or do I need to run a heavier gauge.
I will be having a local Costa Ricain electrician helping me, but want to make sure this is up to N. American standards.

jwhite · 11-18-2007, 08:30 AM

In the us the "nominal" voltages are 120/240. Nominal means "the name we use" The actual voltage vaires alittle. I believe you are telling us the the nominal voltages are 110/220 where you live.

If the 220v appliance uses a neutral (stoves, and cloths dryers most often do) then you would run a 3 conductor cable plus ground. If the appliance does not need a neutral (water heaters usually do not) then you would run a two conductor cable plus ground. At the panel you will connect the two hot wires from the cable to a two pole breaker. Each pole is 110 to neutral, and they are 220 phase to phase.

Check the amperage of your water heaters, and dryer. Most of the ones where I live are 30 amps. If you are wiring to US standards you will need number 10 wire for those.

Also if you wire to US standards, you cannot run from the switch to the light using number 14 wire, if the fuse or breaker is 20 amps. If you have any 14 guage wire on the circuit it must be on a 15 amp breaker.

There is an exception for fixture wires, but people often get confused. Fixture wires do not leave the fixture box via the house wiring. That exception is for when a ceiling light, for example is hung from a chain, or for the wires to a fixture that do not leave the ceiling box at all.

The wires from the wall switch up to the ceiling box (or other wall box) must be the same full size as the rest of the circuit wires. (meaning not larger than the rating of the fuse or breaker allows.