wire gauge change mid circuit

[rockycmt]

Question,
Am I allowed to change a 12 gauge circuit to a 14 gauge lighting circuit? I would expect the other way to be an absolute no no.

Thanks in advance

[jar546]

Only if the breaker was a 15A breaker.

14awg = 15A
12awg = 20A

Why would you even consider that?

[rockycmt]

Yes obviously. Just wanted to know if it would pass inspection if he saw 2 different gauges even though the breaker was still 15amp.

TY

[rockycmt]

Sorry,
I didn't answer your question.

Well the house was rewired with 200 amp before I bought it and I see 2 cases of it done. I guess it was cause the installer had extra 3wire in 14 that he used instead of getting more 12/3. Kind of cheap. I plan to replace it when I redo that room so if I evern need to change 20amp I will be set in the future.

Thanks

[jamiedolan]

Sorry,
I didn't answer your question.

Well the house was rewired with 200 amp before I bought it and I see 2 cases of it done. I guess it was cause the installer had extra 3wire in 14 that he used instead of getting more 12/3. Kind of cheap. I plan to replace it when I redo that room so if I evern need to change 20amp I will be set in the future.

Thanks

I would ensure the 12 awg in your panel is clearly labeled "warning connected to 14awg wire, must be protected by 15A breaker"

Yes, I have seen this done, and I don't know why they did it either. It is wrong. You can have a smaller gage wire connected to the 12gage and maintain 20A protection, but only if that smaller gage wire feeds (and is attached to by the manfacture) a UL approved fixture (i.e. hanging lamp with 16 gage cord)

What do you mean it was because he had an extra 3rd wire in the 14? When I hear things like that, I think MWBC, use due caution.

Jamie

[rockycmt]

I feel the installer used 14/3 (Cause he had it on hand) to wire a ceiling fan instead of purchasing more 12/3 to keep the gauges the same. He cheaped out.

[GabeS]

You can have a smaller gage wire connected to the 12gage and maintain 20A protection, but only if that smaller gage wire feeds (and is attached to by the manfacture) a UL approved fixture (i.e. hanging lamp with 16 gage cord)

Is this really allowed? There's no danger of overheating?

[Scuba_Dave]

What do you want to do?
Put a 15a breaker (1800 watts) on 12g wire
--allowed, but as stated - why? breakers are the same $$

You can hook up lighting to a 12g circuit (2400 watts)

Do you want to run 14g wiring now to lights from a 12g circuit?
I would never mix wiring in a circuit, not sure about code on that
The problem is when someone looks at the wire in the breaker panel, sees 12g wire & upgrades the breaker to a 20a
The 14g wire may be hidden & unknown