Ceiling fans on 20 amp circuit?

[brilpitch]

As long as I have been an Electrician I have installed 14 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit to ceiling fan pre-wires. The question came up...Due to ceiling fans being a motor are they required to be wired with 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?

 

[iwire]

No and you can use 14 for any motor as long as the ampacity is met.

 

[rlundsrud]

The overloads in the motor protect the conductors, this is why you are allowed to use #14 on a 20 amp circuit.

 

[GoldDigger]

The overloads in the motor protect the conductors, this is why you are allowed to use #14 on a 20 amp circuit.

Or in the case of some fan designs the impedance protection of the motor windings.

 

[rlundsrud]

Or in the case of some fan designs the impedance protection of the motor windings.

Good point.

 

[iwire]

The overloads in the motor protect the conductors, this is why you are allowed to use #14 on a 20 amp circuit.

Or in the case of some fan designs the impedance protection of the motor windings.

I think you guys are going to deep.

The OP asked if he can wire a ceiling fan with 14 AWG on a 15 amp circuit or if it has to be 12 AWG on a 20 amp circuit.

 

[rlundsrud]

I think you guys are going to deep.

The OP asked if he can wire a ceiling fan with 14 AWG on a 15 amp circuit or if it has to be 12 AWG on a 20 amp circuit.

Just wanted to give the why you can do it Perspective as it can apply to all motor wiring.

 

[edlee]

The overloads in the motor protect the conductors, this is why you are allowed to use #14 on a 20 amp circuit.

Yeah but you can't use 14 gauge on a 20a circuit to wire a paddle fan unless it's a dedicated circuit. And what residential paddle fan has a large enough motor that 250% of its draw is 20amps?

 

[celtic]

Yeah but you can't use 14 gauge on a 20a circuit to wire a paddle fan unless it's a dedicated circuit.

Do you have a code article to support that position?

 

[iwire]

Do you have a code article to support that position?

240.4(B)