14awg on 20 breaker

[mgt]

doing some work on a house and the contractor before me. origanally wiring is 12awg and 20amp breakers. he added 14awg on a lighting circuit (with cieling fans) for additional fans /lights. i know its not legal and he said put a 15 amp breaker instead of the 20. something does not seem right and i refuse to work on his 14awg wire

 

[Dennis Alwon]

If there is a 15 amp breaker on the circuit it would be perfectly legal. I would tag the circuit in the panel to make it obvious that it should be kept on a 15 amp circuit.

 

[infinity]

Although the new 15 amp OCPD will make this code compliant I'm not a big fan of reducing the circuit's capacity by 25% and then adding more load. As Dennis said it can be tagged for the next guy but it's not required.

 

[Jraef]

It's entirely possible that he did install a 15A breaker but the homeowner continually overloaded the circuit and tripped it, so the homeowner went back and installed a 20A breaker. Happens all the time unfortunately. I even heard a Home Despot employee suggest that solution to someone once (I dressed him down on the spot and told the store manager by the way).

 

[infinity]

It's entirely possible that he did install a 15A breaker but the homeowner continually overloaded the circuit and tripped it, so the homeowner went back and installed a 20A breaker. Happens all the time unfortunately. I even heard a Home Despot employee suggest that solution to someone once (I dressed him down on the spot and told the store manager by the way).

Fortunately in this instance the added load was only some lights and fans. It's unlikely that the #14 conductors will ever be overloaded. Still doesn't make it right to install a 20 amp CB when part of the circuit is #14 AWG.

 

[Twoskinsoneman]

It's entirely possible that he did install a 15A breaker but the homeowner continually overloaded the circuit and tripped it, so the homeowner went back and installed a 20A breaker. Happens all the time unfortunately. I even heard a Home Despot employee suggest that solution to someone once (I dressed him down on the spot and told the store manager by the way).

Good for you!
I am so amazed they escape any liability for giving out dangerous advice.

 

[david luchini]

#14 wire on a 20A circuit would be legal if it was tapping to individual luminaires or individual fans, if installed in accordance with 210.19(A)(4) exceptions.

 

[Jraef]

#14 wire on a 20A circuit would be legal if it was tapping to individual luminaires or individual fans, if installed in accordance with 210.19(A)(4) exceptions.

Shhhh... there might be some DYIers listening. There are reasons for the rules.

 

[Buck Parrish]

Some older electricians would wire a room as follows. All the outlets on # 12 and change to #14 to the switch and light. 20 amp fuse. And consider it an acceptable practice.
I like Dennis suggestion, tag it.

But it's always a red flag if you see it on a service call, etc...