Size #18 AWG Switch Leg???

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bvano1983

Member
Location
El Paso, TX
I'm working in an elementary school changing out ballasts and yesterday noticed that one of my 2 switch legs going into a 4 lamp fluorescent fixture is a size #18 and the other is a #12. Table 310.5 shows that the minimum size is a #14. Why and when is this #18 permitted to be used?

Fixture: 4 Lamp Fluorescent w/ 2 Ballasts
Conduit: 1/2" EMT
Conductors entering fixture: #12 Red, #18 Black, #12 Green, #12 White.
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
#18 AWG conductors are not permitted as conductors for general permise wiring.

#18 can be used as a fixture wire in accordance with 240.5 and can be tapped from a 20 amp circuit for lengths up to 50 feet.

Chris
 

LEO2854

Esteemed Member
Location
Ma
I'm working in an elementary school changing out ballasts and yesterday noticed that one of my 2 switch legs going into a 4 lamp fluorescent fixture is a size #18 and the other is a #12. Table 310.5 shows that the minimum size is a #14. Why and when is this #18 permitted to be used?

Fixture: 4 Lamp Fluorescent w/ 2 Ballasts
Conduit: 1/2" EMT
Conductors entering fixture: #12 Red, #18 Black, #12 Green, #12 White.

I don't think that was ever allowed.
 

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
A switch leg must be the same size as the circuit conductors. Unless the cir. is 15 amps then a 14 awg is not allowed.
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Sounds like someone misused a pre-made fixture-whip wire or a ballast wire. One normally does not carry #18 building wire.
 
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