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03-05-2012, 11:38 AM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 27
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Hi,
I have a dedicated line that runs into my utility room that probably was meant for an electric water heater. It's wired with a #10/2 wire - but sits on a 20A breaker. I tapped into it and wired the rest with #12/2 wire. Was splicing the two different gauges an issue? ...
Also, there never was an electric water heater installed. Always natural gas
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03-05-2012, 11:45 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Md/Pa
Posts: 817
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by snucky
Hi,
I have a dedicated line that runs into my utility room that probably was meant for an electric water heater. It's wired with a #10/2 wire - but sits on a 20A breaker. I tapped into it and wired the rest with #12/2 wire. Was splicing the two different gauges an issue? ...
Also, there never was an electric water heater installed. Always natural gas
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It's a bit hackish and can be dangerous to someone in the future who doesn't know of the wiring downgrade. Label your panel at the breaker noting the wire change.
No code issue that I'm aware of however.
Last edited by zappa; 03-05-2012 at 11:52 AM.
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03-05-2012, 04:42 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Nashua, NH, USA
Posts: 6,729
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Suggest removing the hot end attached to the breaker, wire nutting on about 8 inches of #12 wire, and hooking that piece to the breaker.
This will tip off anyone working in the box that the circuit is a 20 amp circuit.
(I would leave the end going to the neutral bus bar as-is.)
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03-05-2012, 05:01 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
You can't have a splice in the panel so you'd need a box for that Allan. There's no issue here, I would just leave it as you've done.
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03-05-2012, 05:08 PM
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#5
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Average Joe/ex-Navy IC3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Midwest - Central Illinois
Posts: 9,248
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by fdiddy
You can't have a splice in the panel so you'd need a box for that Allan. There's no issue here, I would just leave it as you've done.
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Please cite regulation. It is done all of the time inside panels. They are just a huge junction box.
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03-05-2012, 05:10 PM
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#6
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Average Joe/ex-Navy IC3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Midwest - Central Illinois
Posts: 9,248
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Depending on the length of the run, the #10 may have been used vs #12 for whatever 120v circuit it is feeding. My garage is fed with a #10 run of UF, due to it is about a 75 foot run for the 120v/20a circuit, and I had it laying around, so used it. Most likely that is why it is in your place.
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03-05-2012, 05:26 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 610
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzoll
Please cite regulation. It is done all of the time inside panels. They are just a huge junction box.
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Only true in Canada (CEC 6-212)
No such NEC restriction exists
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03-05-2012, 08:50 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Cool I didn't know you could splice in your panel in the us. I should move south, it would make my jobs easier!
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03-05-2012, 09:11 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Md/Pa
Posts: 817
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techy
Only true in Canada (CEC 6-212)
No such NEC restriction exists
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Does anyone know why no splices are allowed in Canada?
Seems there is a reason behind most codes.
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03-05-2012, 09:17 PM
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#10
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" Euro " electrician
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: WI & France { in France for now }
Posts: 4,947
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
I hope I get this Canada codes quoted correct.,
Quote:
Rule 6-212 CEC 2009 says no - "Enclosures for circuit breakers ... shall not be used as junction boxes". So you need to go with a JB.
6-212 ...shall not be used as junction boxes, troughs, or raceways for conductors feeding through or tapping off to other apparatus.
That code means a wire running through the panel that is not connected to a breaker.
You are allowed to use marrettes in a panel to join circuits together and pigtail on a breaker. There was a old rule that said no joints in a panel but it is long gone. You just can not fill the space in the panel more than 75% CEC 12-3032
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I do not know if the 12-3032 still in enforeced or not.
I am pretty sure Joed or other guys can reply with most modern Canada code on this one.
Merci,
Marc
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The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )
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03-05-2012, 09:46 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Almost Arkansas
Posts: 2,764
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Tap into 20A circuit that's wired #10
Quote:
Originally Posted by fdiddy
You can't have a splice in the panel so you'd need a box for that Allan. There's no issue here, I would just leave it as you've done.
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 You sure the  Can!! It's done often and it is NOT against code.
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