What Gauge Wire To Use For 15 Amp Circuit

What size wire and breaker should i use for a small one bedroom cottage.

What gauge wire to use for 15 amp circuit. In most home installations several 15 amp receptacles connect to a 20 amp circuit breaker. Is it ok to use 12 2 wire on a 15 circuit tapping off a circuit outlet in use or running a new run back to the panel and putting in a 15 amp breaker will this wire work. Can i use 10 gauge wire off of a 20 amp breaker for outlets. For 20 amp circuits use side wire screws.

The wire has a rating that allows it to carry up to 20 amps. So is it ok to continue using 12 2 wire in the 15amp circuit and connect to the outlet via the side wire screws. If i install a 30 amp breaker in my breaker box can i use 15 amp outlets on the circuit provided none of the appliances used exceed 15 amps. It s ok to wire a 15 amp light circuit with a 14 gauge wire to save a bit of money and make the wiring job a bit easier.

If the circuit can perform adequately using 14 gauge wire then you spend money you did not need to but there are some situation where 12 wire is req. This allows multiple devices to connect to a single 20 amp circuit as long as the total circuit load does not exceed 20 amps. Because it has even less chance of overheating 12 gauge wire is also acceptable on a 15 amp circuit. For example plugging a heater rated for 20 amps into a 15 amp circuit wired with 14 gauge wire poses a distinct danger.

Household receptacles are connected using 12 gauge wire. Wire only for quickwire connection. The circuit is on a 15 amp breaker but the wiring is 12 2 solid w ground wire. A 15 amp breaker on the other hand will trip before 14 gauge wire overheats.

I just noticed that the leviton outlet instructions read use 14ga.