can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

[motoscooto]

My residence has lighting fixtures on 14GA that are protected by 15A breakers. This appears to agree with NEC sec 250, but the local inspector wants them changed to 20A breakers. What gives?

Also, is there code provisions mandating smoke detectors be connected to a lighting circuit? I've read comments as to why it is a good idea, but I haven't seen any requirements as yet (including any local ordinances).

Thanks for your comments

 

[luke warmwater]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

Did he give it to you in writing?????

No NEC requirement for putting smokes on a lighting circut.
Our State has an amendment that speciffically requires the smokes to be on a dedicated circut.

 

[charty]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

14awg is to be protected at 15amps. it used to be in table 310-16 in some notes with an asterisk but has been moved to 240.4(D)
dont know about smokes

 

[cselectric]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

Per art. 240.4(D) (2002) "the overcurrent protection shall not exceed 15 amperes for 14 AWG (wire)" Per NEC not only are you not required to feed those lights from 20 amp breakers, you are specifically prohibited from doing so.

Unless your inspector is asking for 20 amp breakers and 12 GA wire. In which case I would ask if you have a local code addendum that requires lighting to be on 20 amp circuits

 

[roger]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

What type of local inspector? He isn't an electrical inspector. Are you sure it wasn't a wino stagering in?

Roger

 

[roger]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

Oh Oh! Cselectric is probably right. Did he say the circuit must be 20 amp meaning conductors and breakers?

Roger

 

[motoscooto]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

Yes it does seem very odd. My best guess is that he was in quite a rage at the time and perhaps didn't inquire if the lights were on 14GA. There were a few items that needed correction that my contractor did incorrectly and this might have caused it. It was a joy for me to fix them...

Still, the smoke detector issue still stands. I guess it'd be better to just wire it into a light circuit than to contest it. Presently, the smokes are on a 15A dedicated breaker.


thanks for your comments

 

[pierre]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
This is the document that most municipalities will follow.

Chapter 11 Single-and Multiple-Station Alarms and House hold Fire Alarm Systems

11.6.3 AC Primary Power Source.
(4) AC Primary (main) power shall be supplied either from a dedicated branch circuit or the unswitched portion of a branch circuit also used for power and lighting.
(Quoted from the NFPA 72 2002 version)

Why don't you print this and ask the inspector if they follow this document.

Pierre

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

Some local codes require that smoke detectors be powered from a general use lighting circuit. This helps insure that there will always be power to the circuit.
Don

 

[Guest]

Re: can't use 15A breaker on 14AWG?

I agree with putting the smoke detectors on a lighting circuit. That way you know the circuit is powered. Here is a car analogy: The dashboard lights and tail lights are on the same fuse. That way if your dashboard lights go out you know your tail lights are dead too. If the tail lights were on their own fuse you might never know your tail lights were out until you got a ticket or somebody got killed or injured.