Skippei
Member
- Location
- Madison, WI
The NEC only recognizes them down to #14 (table 310.104(A)). Why don't these cables exist in a smaller size like #16?
Power and lighting - very few cases can you run less then 14 AWG. Lighting taps is one of the more common places you can do it.Hmm, my own question in response is what would you need to feed with them that is less than 15 amps? If you are looking at feeding LEDs then you are talking dc which, if I recall correctly, is recommended that you feed with 14 guage stranded, not solid, if distance from source is greater than ten feet. Exception is trailer lighting, or certain boating applications where 16 and 18 guage stranded is used, but, again, dc rules so do not need the ac certifications.
dc wiring can get very confusing as far as sizing, due to loads, distance, voltage drop, all of which are based on source voltage.
The NEC only recognizes them down to #14 (table 310.104(A)). Why don't these cables exist in a smaller size like #16?
Well, NFPA 79 is not the NEC, but if you follow it, then it appears as though using 16ga VFD cable will be out.My question is because VFD cables are commonly available down to #16 AWG. The 2018 release of NFPA 79 states that:
"Electrical conductors and equipment supplied by power conversion equipment as part of adjustable speed drive systems and servo drive systems shall be listed flexible motor supply cable marked type RHH, RHW, RHW-2, XHH, XHHW, or XHHW-2 or selected based on the equipment manufacturer’s instructions."
Problem is that if you were using a #16 VFD cable in the past you know are out of compliance with this standard unless equipment manufacturer instructions explicitly state otherwise.