#16AWG for 120V circuit

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PhaseShift

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Can a #16AWG be used for a 120V circuit for any of the following:

1) Branch circuit
2) Feeder Circuit
3) Tap Rule

Even if the OCPD is less than the capacity of #16?
 
Answer #3 depending on how you interpret the words "tap rule". Take a look at 240.3(B)(2).
 
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430 allow 16 awg for control circuits. Lights pre-wired I belive are #16. It all depends on the application like LarryFine asked.
 
The application is part of a branch circuit. There is a 120V branch circuit feeding several lights. There is a #12 circuit ran from a 20A circuit breaker to a junction box. From this junction box there are #16AWG spliced to run to each light bulb?

What if the entire branch circuit from the OCPD was a #16 which fed all of the lights?

A similar question with a #16 came up when purchasing an extension cord the other week. There was an extension cord rated for 20A but it was avaliable in several different sizes from #16, #14, and #12. The #12 was much more expensive than the #16. So with the cord rated at 20A, then why buy the #12 cord when the #16 is cheaper?
 
PhaseShift said:
A similar question with a #16 came up when purchasing an extension cord the other week. There was an extension cord rated for 20A but it was avaliable in several different sizes from #16, #14, and #12. The #12 was much more expensive than the #16. So with the cord rated at 20A, then why buy the #12 cord when the #16 is cheaper?
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One reason is voltage drop. A large amperage machine like a core drilling machine would require a larger cord to keep it's operating voltage near 120 volts.
 
PhaseShift said:
There is a #12 circuit ran from a 20A circuit breaker to a junction box. From this junction box there are #16AWG spliced to run to each light bulb?
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If this is branch-circuit wiring, it's a no. If it's fixture wiring, you may have an out.

What kind of wire are we talking about, and what (if anything) is it contained within?
 
PhaseShift said:
The application is part of a branch circuit. There is a 120V branch circuit feeding several lights. There is a #12 circuit ran from a 20A circuit breaker to a junction box. From this junction box there are #16AWG spliced to run to each light bulb?
Click to expand...
IMHO, if those #16s are a fixture wire and part of the fixture, then it meets 240.5(B)(2). Otherwise (such as a field installation external to the fixture) no
PhaseShift said:
What if the entire branch circuit from the OCPD was a #16 which fed all of the lights?
?
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Then 10 amp OCP would be needed per 240.4(D0(2)
PhaseShift said:
A similar question with a #16 came up when purchasing an extension cord the other week. There was an extension cord rated for 20A but it was avaliable in several different sizes from #16, #14, and #12. The #12 was much more expensive than the #16. So with the cord rated at 20A, then why buy the #12 cord when the #16 is cheaper?
Click to expand...
How was that "rating" determined ? How were the cords marked ?
You might look at 240.5(B)(3)
 
I could be wrong dont have my code book should know without it ,but I dont think that is legal on a lighting circuit.
 
jwjrw said:
I could be wrong dont have my code book should know without it ,but I dont think that is legal on a lighting circuit.
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If it is a fixture tap with fixture wire then 240.5(B)(2) permits #16 AWG to be connected to a 20 amp breaker provided that the tap conductors are not longer than 100'.

Chris
 
What would be a situation where you would want to tap a 16ga wire onto a twenty amp circuit,even if it is allowed? Just asking.
 
And when you say if its fixture wire that sounds like it would have to be in a fixture. Im confused once again....
 
jwjrw said:
What would be a situation where you would want to tap a 16ga wire onto a twenty amp circuit,even if it is allowed? Just asking.
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Have you ever used a 2X4 Troffer fixture with a factory whip? They are typically #16 AWG or sometimes #18.

You can also order fixture whips in various lengths from different manufactures that come with #18 or #16 AWG wire.

Chris
 
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