[sonofbuster]

I have a couple of LED shop lights that I'd like to install in the basement laundry room. Right now there are three light fixtures (just basic screw in bulbs), two of which I'd like to convert to electrical outlets for the exclusive use of the shop lights. The LED shop lights are wired with three-prong plugs, in case anyone asks.

On quick inspection, I have some metal wire housing running into the lights and and some 14/2 wire running from light to light. They all function with individual pull chains and have no wall switch. I would like to have a 2-switch outlet to control each light.

Being that the outlets would only be used for LED lights, is it OK to use the 14/2 wire? I'm not sure what's in the metal wire housing which I assume comes from the box, so I don't know if that's good to use for outlets either. I'm hoping to not have to run wire from the box to the other side of the basement as the section between the box and laundry room is finished and I'd have to hunt around some.

Advice and suggestions are appreciated -- thanks!

 

[Jim Port]

If the circuit is 15 amps you can use #14 gauge wiring.

 

[Ron6519]

I would wire any outlet with 12 gauge wire.

 

[rjniles]

I would wire any outlet with 12 gauge wire.

That's an opinion and in mine a foolish statement without justification.

 

[Ron6519]

That's an opinion and in mine a foolish statement without justification.

I know. I went out on a limb with that. God forbid he should wire the outlet with 12 gauge wire. That's hardly ever done anymore. What do you think? Linguini?

 

[gregzoll]

If you plan on not using those lights, use a blank over the ones that will not be used for the lights. Replace the junction box(es) that have lights with 4x4 boxes if you currently have the Octangle boxes for the current lights. Then place the LED lights in the "Sweet spot", before actually hanging it.

If there is not a switch for those lights, you are going to need to put in a "Switch Leg" that operates the lights. That will mean changing out the run to the second light box to 14/3.

Pretty easy and straight forward, if it is all open joists.

 

[hueco]

bottom line: #14 is fine for wiring lights and adding a switch loop is a good idea, but you could install "keyless" sockets with pull chains, possibly on the existing outlets. I might be wrong, but I think code requires lighting to be switch controlled in each room.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I know. I went out on a limb with that. God forbid he should wire the outlet with 12 gauge wire. That's hardly ever done anymore. What do you think? Linguini?

Point is he is wiring from an existing circuit. WHY in the world would you wire #12 if the rest of the circuit is #14???

Besides, he's wiring lighting outlets, not receptacle outlets.

 

[Syberia]

I've done it, for the simple reason that I had a roll of #12 readily available but #14 would have required a trip to the store.

Your sig made me laugh, thanks for making my work day suck a little less.

 

[Ron6519]

Point is he is wiring from an existing circuit. WHY in the world would you wire #12 if the rest of the circuit is #14???

Besides, he's wiring lighting outlets, not receptacle outlets.

He didn't say all the wiring was 14 gauge, just the lighting string. I don't know what the rest of the wiring is. All I said was that I wire all outlets with 12 gauge. What it's used for is irrelevant. What if the next owner plugs in something other then lights? Around here, I believe the code says outlets should be 12 gauge wire. Lighting circuits can be 14 gauge wire.
Do you run new circuits with 14 gauge or 12 gauge wire?
What does your code say?

 

[Speedy Petey]

He didn't say all the wiring was 14 gauge, just the lighting string. I don't know what the rest of the wiring is.

No, he said some of the wiring on the circuit is #14, the other was metallic and he didn't know what it was. The first reply was accurate; if the circuit is 15A then #14 is fine.

All I said was that I wire all outlets with 12 gauge. What it's used for is irrelevant. What if the next owner plugs in something other then lights?

Right, but in replying to the OP it seemed implied that you would wire it in #12, regardless. Look back and see that I was not the only one to see it this way.

Around here, I believe the code says outlets should be 12 gauge wire. Lighting circuits can be 14 gauge wire.

You believe? Shouldn't you know for sure? Do you do this for a living? Does your area have a written amendment supporting this?

Do you run new circuits with 14 gauge or 12 gauge wire?
What does your code say?

Both. I wire most receptacle circuits with #12, but some #14 depending on the use.
I am in NYS and follow the NYS Resi code for one and two family and the NEC for everything else.

I see you are on LI. As a carpenter do you do electrical work on jobs?

 

[Cement_Frank]

Why not just run 10/3 to every outlet you add? It isnt that much more expensive than 12/2/2.

 

[gregzoll]

I've done it, for the simple reason that I had a roll of #12 readily available but #14 would have required a trip to the store.

Your sig made me laugh, thanks for making my work day suck a little less.

Anyone who sees the #12 in the panel and does not know that there is #14, may change out the breaker.

When I did my Bath, all of the wire was #12. That was because I was looking at the future, in case someone decided to swap out the regular Fart Fan with one with a heater.

 

[gregzoll]

bottom line: #14 is fine for wiring lights and adding a switch loop is a good idea, but you could install "keyless" sockets with pull chains, possibly on the existing outlets. I might be wrong, but I think code requires lighting to be switch controlled in each room.

He could do that. Then he ends up with open sockets or having a bulb in there. The outlets stay powered, even if the light is off.

I have my laundry area in my Basement set up with a Switchable outlet to control the light fixture above the laundry equipment.

The Basement lights are controlled by a switch at the bottom of the stairs.

 

[Ron6519]

No, he said some of the wiring on the circuit is #14, the other was metallic and he didn't know what it was. The first reply was accurate; if the circuit is 15A then #14 is fine.


Right, but in replying to the OP it seemed implied that you would wire it in #12, regardless. Look back and see that I was not the only one to see it this way.
I didn't imply anything. You understood incorrectly.

You believe? Shouldn't you know for sure? Do you do this for a living? Does your area have a written amendment supporting this?

I hired people who did this for a living.


I see you are on LI. As a carpenter do you do electrical work on jobs?

The electricians did the electrical work. The plumbers did the plumbing work. The roofers did the roofing work. Etc,. Etc,. etc,.

I run 12 gauge to all new circuits. Period.

 

[Speedy Petey]

I run 12 gauge to all new circuits. Period.

Bigger is always better, right?

Makes no sense, but OK.

 

[joed]

Another one falling for the copper industry propaganda that #12 will save money on your electric bill.

 

[gregzoll]

Another one falling for the copper industry propaganda that #12 will save money on your electric bill.

The only way to break even in the long run, is to purchase enough to keep up with your Loss side of your P&L.

It is odd in our town, that some subdivisions that you will find #12 on all circuits. Other subdivisions you will find #14 on lights, #12 on all outlets.

 

[dmxtothemax]

Code wise this is grey area
Is it light or is it outlet ?
Well its both
Maybe check with a local inspector !

 

[jbfan]

Code wise this is grey area
Is it light or is it outlet ?
Well its both
Maybe check with a local inspector !

Not a gray area in the code.
A light is still an outlet!