12 gauge wire to 14 gauge on an outlet question

diyer4162

I am redoing my basment and the guy who lived there before me ran 12 gauge flexible conduit throughout the basement...I am planning on replacing/re-routing some runs of the outlets/lights with 14 gauge romex (left over from a previous project and yes grounded to the metal boxes) and I am replacing the 20 amp breaker with a 15 amp...does this sound ok?

For instance, on one run from the breaker is the 12 gauge through a couple outlets, then between two our three outlets I will use 14 gauge where I am putting new outlets...but as long as I have a 15 amp breaker I am ok, correct.

Any insgiht will be great, thanks!

Sammy

If your down sizing the breaker to 15 amps it should be fine.

Some people run 20 amps as a standard now even in residential due to the increased load from all of the electronics we seem to have grown used to.

jbfan

It is ok to do that, but I would just buy what I needed in 12 and use the 14 for the lights.
JMHO

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diyer4162

I have used as much of the 12 a I could, but trying to piece lengths together gets tricky....

It was my understanding that you can't use a 20 amp breaker with a combinations of 14 gauge and 12 gauge as the 14 will "fry" before the breaker would trip??

jbfan

Not true, but is required by code.

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Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

diyer4162

well, since I have all applicable permits and my basement will be inspected, I will just swap out the breakers then, thanks guys!!

Andy in ATL

Define "fry".

diyer4162

potential fire hazard??

AllanJ

If you hang 14 gauge wire off of a branch circuit even for lights only, the circuit has to be a 15 amp. max. circuit.

If you have a circuit with 12 gauge wire throughout and want to add more to it, you'd be better off adding 12 gauge wire so you can keep it at 20 amps. and also so the next homeowner would not be confused seeing the 12 gauge wire at the panel and snap in a 20 amp. breaker for the circuit anyway.

Speedy Petey

Not me. I'd rather run more circuits.
Electronics don't have nearly the draw some folks think they do.

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HouseHelper

12ga + multigang switches = mad electrician!

jbfan

14 not allowed in my area= 12ga + muilti switches = normal day
Even in the few areas it is allowed, I almost always run 12. I buy 14 by the 50' box

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Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

chris75

That is insane and I feel for you bro.

Speedy Petey

What's up jb.
I'd seriously like to know the justification behind such a stupid code. If it ever comes up please let us know.

I could almost understand a restriction on #14 to circuits with NO receptacles at all. Lighting only. But no #14 at all??? Flat out stupid!

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

HouseHelper

I used to run into this several years ago, before the colored sheathing was available. Unofficial reason was the inspectors couldn't tell the difference between 14 and 12 since it was all white, so they mandated 12ga only could be used.