Bathroom Circuit

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finster1

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Can the bath circuit being fed with a 20a dedicated circuit to the receptacle and 12/2 wire from the panel, feed the lights and fart fan with a 14/2 to the lights and the fart fan off the receptacle or does all of the wiring need to be 12/2 being it is fed off the 20a circuit. I am pretty sure I answered my own question but curious to see response. I have been told this is ok, but when asked for expanation I am told you can put a 15a device on a 20a circuit but not vica versa....I believe this to be correct but I dont think they mean the wire just the receptacles. What do you guys say?
 
15a recepts are ok on a 20a circuit because they are rated for 20a feed thru. The #14 wire won't fly because it cant handle the 20a circuit breaker. If the cb was 15a the two sizes woulb be ok (other than bathroom)
 
S'mise said:
The #14 wire won't fly because it cant handle the 20a circuit breaker.
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Really?

310.16 says 14 AWG copper is rated 20 amps, and for many applications we can use it at 20 amps.

The only reason 14 AWG can not be used at 20 amps in this application is 240.4(D).
 
iwire said:
I have to disagree here, IMO the OCPDs protect the entire circuit including the utilization equipment.
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220.20, C agrees with you Bob and the reality is that OCP's protect equipment too. My first thought is protect the wiring. Maybe its from years in industries where over load relays protected the equipment.
 
iwire said:
Of course it is, but it has little to nothing to do about the 14s ability to handle it. :smile:

Newbies need to know there are times when 14 AWG can be used @ 20 amps.
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As part of a motor control circuit there are times where it can be used at 45 amps but I still would not feed that fan and light with it from a 20 amp circuit.
 
iaov said:
As part of a motor control circuit there are times where it can be used at 45 amps
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Exactly, and it is important that we do not mislead newbies into thinking that 14 AWG can only be used with 15 amp breakers.:smile:

but I still would not feed that fan and light with it from a 20 amp circuit.
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And I am not saying anyone should, it is a violation.:smile:
 
iwire said:
Of course it is, but it has little to nothing to do about the 14s ability to handle it. :smile:

Newbies need to know there are times when 14 AWG can be used @ 20 amps.
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Right, so when they see #14 on a 20 or perhaps a 30 amp breaker feeding an air conditioning unit or other motor load, they will know that the code allows it and why. :)
 
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