Oversize wire

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Panther1

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Is it a violation of NEC to use a 10/2 wire instead of using 12/2 wire on a 20 amp circuit ? This would be on a normal 20 amp home circuit. Thanks.
 
iwire said:
Not a violation although it may be hard to terminate it on cheap devices.
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Yeah, back when I worked for my father in high school, some dummy pulled 10/2 by mistake for a dining room circuit. How you can do that is beyond me. I think first cut would be indicative. Anyhow, guess who (me) installed the devices on finish. I probably should have pigtailed, but still remember struggling with wrapping those 5 receptacles.

Devices probably not listed for use w/ #10 wire anyway. They were terminated well, though, IMO. [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
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It can be hard to terminate on expensive devices too... I hate decora.
And it could be a violation if the run is really really long 10 might not be big enough... (sorry I just couldn't resist) :grin:
 
I don't have the white book on this PC but if I remember correctly UL listed devices are listed for use with 14 to 10 AWG solid or stranded on the screw terminals.
 
The white book doesn't say, (or I can't find it) it just says the push-on terminals are restricted to 15 amp circuits, 14 awg solid wire only. I dont have a recepticle handy to chek what it is marked.
 
...and nobody has a recpt. just laying about they could just pick up and read????

:D
I don't...LOL
 
Had to deal with it once on a jim walter home that belonged to neighbor.He roughed it and i finished it.Assume he got the wire free.10-3 for a frig LOL.I bealed him out but what a mess.
 
celtic said:
...and nobody has a recpt. just laying about they could just pick up and read????
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Doh! good point.

The ones within my reach are Leviton CR20 (formally 5800)

It is listed for 10 AWG but they are spec grade 20 amp duplexs

I would really like to see one from the $0.45 bin at HD.
 
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iwire said:
Doh! good point.

The ones within my reach are Leviton CR20 (formally 5800)

It is listed for 10 AWG but they are spec grade 20 amp duplexs

I would really like to see one from the $0.45 bin at HD.
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As for the $0.45 duplexes, I'd rather just see them remain in that bin and get the 20A ones from a couple shelves up.

If I remember correctly, the little cheapies are rated for 14awg and 12awg. I don't have one sitting around to check, and it's kindof late for a Home Depot run.
 
tbonse said:
As for the $0.45 duplexes, I'd rather just see them remain in that bin and get the 20A ones from a couple shelves up.

If I remember correctly, the little cheapies are rated for 14awg and 12awg. I don't have one sitting around to check, and it's kindof late for a Home Depot run.
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Sure the 20 amp spec grade duplex receptacles may be better, but now you'll need 20 amp circuits.
 
jeff43222 said:
Read a little further to Table 210.21(B)(3) and see that recps on 15A ckts can be "Not over 15" amps.
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Read a few posts back...

infinity said:
Sure the 20 amp spec grade duplex receptacles may be better, but now you'll need 20 amp circuits.
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You can put 2 or more 20A devices on a 15A ckt...
...which was the point of:
celtic said:
15A ckts are fine...see 210.21(B)(2)
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Here's a snippet from the NECH:
A single receptacle installed on an individual branch circuit must have an ampere rating not less than that of the branch circuit. For example, a single receptacle on a 20-ampere individual branch circuit must be rated at 20 amperes; however, two or more 15-ampere receptacles or duplex receptacles are permitted on a 20-ampere general-purpose branch circuit. This requirement does not apply to specific types of cord-and-plug-connected arc welders.
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which goes back to 210.21(B)(1)..which is also agreed upon in T210.21(B)(3)


EDIT: This comp has a 2002 NECH on it, article numbers may have changed for 2005
 
celtic said:
Read a few posts back...



You can put 2 or more 20A devices on a 15A ckt...
...which was the point of:
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You're not reading the table correctly. Look at table 210.21(B)(3)

Circuit rating of 15 amps, receptacle rating not over 15 amps.
 
infinity said:
You're not reading the table correctly. Look at table 210.21(B)(3)

Circuit rating of 15 amps, receptacle rating not over 15 amps.
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Isn't that what I meant to say?


Table 210.21(B)(2) Maximum Cord-and-Plug-Connected Load to Receptacle
Circuit Rating (Amperes) 15 or 20
Receptacle Rating (Amperes) 15
Maximum Load (Amperes) 12

Table 210.21(B)(3) Receptacle Ratings for Various Size Circuits
Circuit Rating (Amperes) 20
Receptacle Rating (Amperes) 15 or 20
 
celtic said:
Isn't that what I meant to say?
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I don't know. What I said was that if you wanted to use 20 amp duplex receptacles you can not use 15 amp circuits. Is that what you meant?
 
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