Lighting taps?

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ArtZat

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Glendale Heights, IL (Chicago Land)
The situation is this; a 20A circuit feeds the GFCI receptacle in a bathroom. There are 14 Gauge wires leaving the load side of the GFCI to feed the switch for the vanity light and the ceiling exhaust fan. I have always been under the impression that 14 gauge wire can only be used in a branch circuit rated at 15A. Somebody is telling me that there's a "lighting tap" rule that allows for this situation, but he doesn't remember the article number. I haven't been able to find it either. Is anyone aware of this, and can you provide me the actual article number? Thanks in advance.
 
Look at 240.4(D). You cannot use #14 as you've described on a 20 amp OCPD. These are not lighting taps.
 
ArtZat said:
.... Somebody is telling me that there's a "lighting tap" rule...
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See 210.19(A)(4) Exception No. 1.

I agree with Rob. The conductors you describe are not tap conductors... as lighting tap conductors can only terminate in a lighting fixture (luminaire).
 
randyo said:
not an answer
210.19(A)(4)
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Exactly what are you saying when you say "not an answer"???

210.19(A)(4) Exception No.1 is the lighting "tap rule"... and the only one that could apply... but it does not, making the other guy's claim invalid.
 
well the question, originally was never really about the lighting tap rule, it was about underpowered conductors because of the lighting tap rule.
If A then B, but the NEC does not work that way RE: branch circuits.
So the light tap rule does not answer the question, The branch circuit rule does, would you not agree ??

No, you can not use #14 off of a 20a circuit, not because of the lighting tap rule but because of the Branch circuit rule (already quoted)
 
ArtZat said:
.... Somebody is telling me that there's a "lighting tap" rule that allows for this situation, but he doesn't remember the article number. I haven't been able to find it either. Is anyone aware of this, and can you provide me the actual article number? ...
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randyo said:
well the question, originally was never really about the lighting tap rule, it was about underpowered conductors because of the lighting tap rule.
If A then B, but the NEC does not work that way RE: branch circuits.
So the light tap rule does not answer the question, The branch circuit rule does, would you not agree ??

No, you can not use #14 off of a 20a circuit, not because of the lighting tap rule but because of the Branch circuit rule (already quoted)
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I quoted the question above. IMO it actually asks for the 'tap rule' Code reference. But technically, both cited Code sections make the installation as described a violation. #14 can be used on a 20A circuit... if it is a tap. It's not a tap so it is a violation of the 'tap rule', making it non-compliant otherwise, too. :angel:
 
Smart $ said:
I quoted the question above. IMO it actually asks for the 'tap rule' Code reference. But technically, both cited Code sections make the installation as described a violation. #14 can be used on a 20A circuit... if it is a tap. It's not a tap so it is a violation of the 'tap rule', making it non-compliant otherwise, too. :angel:
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I apologize for not being clear in the original post. I'm familiar with 210.19 and I know it doesn't apply in this situation. I was wondering if there's another lighting tap rule that I had overlooked, that's why I used quotation marks.
 
I have to disagree with some of the others. These basically are tap conductors, but they also do not comply with any allowable tap rules in this particular installation.

So at best they are improper taps.;)
 
kwired said:
I have to disagree with some of the others. These basically are tap conductors, but they also do not comply with any allowable tap rules in this particular installation.

So at best they are improper taps.;)
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You are correct. By definition, they are tap conductors... just non-compliant tap conductors. :happyyes::D
 
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