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(2)12-2 wires for (1)12-4

1K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  frenchelectrican 
#1 ·
I'm planning for a bathroom exhaust/light/heater combo. I know to run 12-2 from a dedicated 20 amp breaker to a combo 3 single pull switch. My question is from the switch to the light combo. If I could find it I would run 12-4 wire, but since I'm already going to have plenty of 12-2 wire can I run (2)12-2 instead of (1)12-4?
 
#2 ·
I'm planning for a bathroom exhaust/light/heater combo. I know to run 12-2 from a dedicated 20 amp breaker to a combo 3 single pull switch. My question is from the switch to the light combo. If I could find it I would run 12-4 wire, but since I'm already going to have plenty of 12-2 wire can I run (2)12-2 instead of 12-4?

Yes, as long as you do not exceed the fill capacity on your device box.
 
#3 ·
I find it easier to run a piece of ENT or Smurf tube and use individual conductors in the proper colors. This also cuts down on box fill in a box that is already too small as you can leave out one ground conductor compared to the cables.

Using 2-12/2 to get enough switched hot conductors would not be acceptable code-wise as the white can only be re-marked as a hot to feed the switch, not a switch controlled hot. NEC 200.7
 
#5 ·
I find it easier to run a piece of ENT or Smurf tube and use individual conductors in the proper colors. This also cuts down on box fill in a box that is already too small
It also allows for changes in the future where you might require a different wiring scheme from the switches to the ceiling area. Especially in a bathroom, there are often changes that might require a different wiring scheme.
 
#10 ·
To OP .,
I did answer that question in other section and in Wisconsin I know not very many place will stock 12-4 NM cable at the moment { most big box store will say special order } and you will have to get them in full spool size not the reduced spool size ATM what I heard { only in 250 foot rolls unless the demand get pretty big then they can go with other size rolls }

But For myself I been doing this trick for long time run smurf or greenfeild and that useally do the trick especally if the unit is Fan / Light / Heater even with nitelight verison as well and with all bathroom exhaust fan with heaters it have to be on it own circuit due the heater wattage.

Merci.
Marc
 
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