Receptacle

[hhsting]

I have 20A branch circuit going to 120V 20A receptacles. Its long distance so phase and neutral are sized #8 and so is EGC #8. However note on plan says to bring #8 to first receptacle only and then afterwards use #10AWG for phase,neutral and I was wondering would not voltage drop be more than 3% if changed and equipment grounding conductor has to be #8 awg? Would above mention change be code compliant?

 

[augie47]

Fairly common practice to take the larger conductor to a certain point and reduce down for shorter distances.
You will only know the % volt6ge drop if you calculate using the proposed load and for 99% of applications the NEC dos not address voltage drop anyway. On a 20 amp circuit, the equipment ground needs to be sized the same as the phase.

 

[RichB]

3% VD is only a suggestion-- not rule-- as an example we will take the entire 5% on feeders/branch circuits if the service drop is short--saves a wire size or two at times depending on load and distance

 

[ramsy]

plan says to bring #8 to first receptacle only and then afterwards use #10AWG

Most installers can't wire devices with solid #12cu conductors, much less solid #10cu

Unless stranded wire is possible with drop-in compression terminal devices, Sub-Panels are more commonly used to idiot proof the wiring. Never seen 10/2 stranded Romex.

for 99% of applications the NEC dos not address voltage drop anyway.

Plans may consider =>100vac input power requirements on back of TV's & computers, which shut down when vacuum cleaners or space heaters pull voltage below that level.