What size wire do I need for recessed lighting?
Here’s some basic facts you should consider when installing recessed lights: Most lighting circuits in homes are either 15 or 20 amps. 15 amp circuits are the most common. 20 amp circuits require 12 gauge wire; 15 amps circuits allow for less expensive 14 gauge wire.
Can I use 12/2 nm wire for lights?
2 Answers 2. As long as you have a 15A circuit breaker on that circuit, it's OK to use 12/2 NM cable for your lights. Since the maximum current on the circuit will be 15A, you won't need special switches.
Can I use 12-2 wire for lighting fixtures?
Yes, it is okay to use 12-2 cable to supply lighting fixtures. The other answer indicates that it even with 12-2 you have to use a 15A breaker for lighting circuits which is not strictly correct. If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used.
How many recessed lights can you put on a 15 amp circuit?
A 15 amp, 110 volt circuit may be loaded up to 1430 watts (80% of 15amps = 13amps; 13 amps*110 volts = 1430 watts). This means you could theoretically have fourteen 100 watt recessed lights on a single circuit.
What wire is good for recessed lighting?
State or city electrical codes may require a specific type and/or gauge of wire to safely install recessed lighting fixtures. The electrician will know these requirements. Typically, a 12-gauge cable with two insulated conductor wires and a ground wire are used.
Can you wire lights with 12 gauge wire?
You can actually use 12-2 wires for lighting as long as you use a 15 Ampere circuit breaker with a maximum voltage of 30 Volts. Moreover, it is important to know the installation procedure and maintenance procedure for 12 gauge wires to ensure the efficiency of the lights.
Can you use 12 gauge for lighting?
If you're wiring a circuit on which there are both lights and outlets, or you just aren't sure which wire gauge to use, you can't go wrong by choosing a 12-gauge wire. It's not quite as flexible as a 14-gauge wire, and it costs a bit more, but it's always a safe choice on a 15- or 20-amp circuit.
Will a 12-2 wire carry 30 amps?
A 12-gauge wire is rated to be safe up to 20 amps and therefore, should be used only on a circuit where the current will not exceed this value.
Is it OK to use 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit?
Because it has even less chance of overheating, 12-gauge wire is also acceptable on a 15-amp circuit.
How many Amps will 12 2 wire carry?
Maximum Breaker Size is 30 amps. You can use a 20 amp circuit breaker with 12/2 Romex as 12/2 wire is rated for 20 amps. Always remember THE BREAKER IS THERE TO PROTECT THE WIRE NOT THE APPLIANCE !!! You can always oversize the wire , if using a 20 DPST breaker you can use 10/2 if needed...
Should I use 14 or 12 gauge wire?
12-gauge wire is the minimum requirement for outlets on a 20-amp circuit. 12-gauge wire can be used for outlets on both 15 and 20-amp circuits. 14-gauge wire is unsafe to use for outlets on a 20-amp circuit. 14-gauge wire can only be used for outlets on a 15-amp circuit.
What is 12 AWG wire used for?
12-gauge are used in kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and 120-volt air conditioners supporting 20 amps. 10-gauge are used in electric clothes dryers, 240-volt window air conditioners, electric water heaters supporting 30 amps.
How far can you run 12 2 wire on a 20 amp breaker?
After these distances, the circuit will go over the recommended 3% voltage drop. You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.
How many amps is #12 wire good for?
20 AMPSSize & AMP RatingsNM, TW, & UF WIRE (Copper Conductor)SE CABLE (Copper Conductor)12 AWG - 20 AMPS6 AWG - 65 AMPS10 AWG - 30 AMPS4 AWG - 85 AMPS8 AWG - 40 AMPS2 AWG - 115 AMPS6 AWG - 55 AMPS1 AWG - 130 AMPS1 more row
What is the maximum amperage for 12 gauge wire?
20 amps“Twelve-gauge wire is good for 20 amps, 10-gauge wire is good for 30 amps, 8-gauge is good for 40 amps, and 6-gauge is good for 55 amps,” and “The circuit breaker or fuse is always sized to protect the conductor [wire].”
Can you use 12 2 wire for 220?
The same 12-gauge wire can be used for a 220v, 20-amp outlet to run power tools. ... You need a different type of receptacle and 10-gauge cable if the appliance draws 30 Amps.
12-2 Wire Applications
12-2 wires can work well for lighting, but are also commonly used in refrigerators and hot water heaters. Though, these wires cannot be used with a voltage that exceeds 30 volts. So, it’s important that you avoid using 12-2 wires for purposes that exceed that limit.
Importance of Electrical Wire Gauge in Lighting
Different wires are meant for different applications, but it’s important to understand the proper size and gauge of wires. Gauge refers to the diameter, or thickness, of the wire. Measurement is necessary, as it determines the amount of current that can safely pass along the wire and helps avoid damaged or burnt-out wires.
Related Questions
The amp capacity for 12 gauge wires is 20 amps, while it’s 15 amps for a 14 gauge wire. Although you could technically use 14 gauge wires on 20 amps, it is not recommended.
What breaker should I use for 12AWG?
If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used. Likewise, how do I know what gauge wire to use?
What is the size of wire gauge?
Common sizes include 14-, 12-, 10-, 8-, 6-, and 2-gauge wire.
What breaker is used for 12AWG?
If the entire circuit is 12AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 20A breaker may be used. If only part of the circuit is 12AWG while other parts are 14AWG (other than fixture wires), then a 15A breaker must be used because of the allowable ampacity through 14AWG.
Is flexible cord permanent?
Where flexible cord or tinsel cord is approved for and used with a specific listed appliance or luminaire, it shall be considered to be protected when applied within the appliance or luminaire listing requirements. For the purposes of this section, a luminaire may be either portable or permanent. (2) Fixture Wire.
Do you need a switch for 15A?
Since the maximum current on the circuit will be 15A, you won't need special switches. You should label the wire that it is 15A, not 20A, so that someone else doesn't come along and treat it as a 20A circuit. Pro: 12/2 cable is a slightly better conductor of electricity, so you'll have slightly less loss between the service panel and your fixtures.
Is 12/2 cable better than 14/2?
Pro: 12/2 cable is a slightly better conductor of electricity, so you'll have slightly less loss between the service panel and your fixtures. Cons: it's more expensive, harder to work with than 14/2 cable, and you may need to use larger junction boxes because the NEC allows fewer 12 gauge conductors than 14 gauge in a given volume box. ...
How are neutral wires twisted together?
Neutral wires are twisted together and then wire-nutted. Here’s a closer look, and I want you to notice a few things. The wire sheathing is cut just after the wire enters the box. All of the white wires are twisted together before screwing on the wire-nut.
How many gold screws are in a switch?
Most switches, this one included, have two gold screw connectors. The hot/black wire coming from the power source connects to one gold terminal, while the hot/black wire going to the fixtures connects to the others. Ground wires are twisted together and also connected to the switch.
Where do black wires go after a switch?
After the switch, the wire goes back to the circuit breaker panel.
How many watts does a 15 amp circuit use?
Most fixtures are rated by wattage, rather than amperage. A 15 amp, 110 volt circuit may be loaded up to 1430 watts (80% of 15amps = 13amps; 13 amps*110 volts = 1430 watts). This means you could theoretically have fourteen 100 watt recessed lights on a single circuit.
What is an IC can?
IC cans – appropriate for attic installations and other installations where insulation will directly contact the can. Non-IC cans – appropriate for most first floors and basements, or anywhere insulation will not touch the can. (Our example uses non-IC cans).
Where do the white and ground wires go?
The sheathing is cut and the white and ground wires go to the ground strip. Note: in the main panel for a house, the neutral (white) and ground (bare) wires both connect to the ground bus. For sub-panels, neutral and ground have separate buses. The black wire goes to the circuit breaker.
Can you skip Romex?
They should not be skipped, because without them, the Romex will rub against the metal hole in the can and can short out, creating a fire hazard. These recessed cans feature push-wire connectors that make it easy to wire everything, even though most electricians prefer wire-nuts (less potential for failure).
What is cable wire?
Cable refers to sheathed wire bundles, which are usually enclosed in plastic insulation. Another type of wiring standard that you need to consider is the color of the sheath or insulation that encloses the wires or cables. The color would often indicate what kind of wire is encapsulated inside.
What does the color of the wire mean?
The color would often indicate what kind of wire is encapsulated inside. Black or red insulation indicates that there is a live or hot wire inside. A white or brown cover indicates that there is a neutral cable or wire inside. A yellow or yellow/green cover means that there is a ground wire inside.
How many gauge wires are needed for a light fixture?
Most household lighting fixture, as well as many appliances, requires about 12- or 14-gauge wire. This is usually indicated as a number and a dash and then another number. For example, 12-2 or 12/2. The first number, 12, indicates the wire diameter while the second number determines the number of wires the cable contains.
How many volts does a 36 volt wire driver put out?
If you have a small wire that is considerably long, you can expect that the 36 voltage that your driver is supposed to put out will drop to about 35 volts .
How to calculate the amount of current needed to connect a power supply?
2. Calculate the amount of current that could flow through the wire. To do this, compute the total length of LED strips connected to the power supply, and then multiply this number by the wattage per foot.
What are the two types of wires?
There are two kinds of wires: solid core and stranded . The solid core contains a single solid conductor, which is usually copper, and a plastic insulating jacket wraps this conductor. On the other hand, a stranded wire usually contains several conductors in a bundle, with an insulating jacket wrapping everything.
Can you use any wire for 12V LED lights?
In fact, due to the small amount of electricity or current they utilize, you can practically use just about any wire that you can find. Of course, you have to consider a few things to get the right size wiring for your 12v LED lighting.
