Residential Basement wiring questions

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Don't know what was said...

Don't know what was said...

Since its a man cave, I surely would put 12 awg on that big screen and have it a dedicated circuit, JMHO
 
tallguy said:
OP is industrial... works for a company. If he has a truck, the #14 on it doesn't belong to him :smile:
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Now you're trying to act like people doing at-home projects don't use stuff off the boss's truck. :D

Fair enough. Missed that part.
 
tallguy said:
OP is industrial... works for a company. If he has a truck, the #14 on it doesn't belong to him :smile:
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Hrmmm.... Guess I should read the OP too, since he's just doing a pool room and a TV room, my comment about SABCs was kinda loopy:roll:

Gotta stop skimming these things:mad:
 
strip all your #14

strip all your #14

Go strip and sell all your 14 gauge! Or at least use it to tie your ladders on board!!! ( "So this is why I can't make money", " hey my ladder want fit in the trunk"!!!)
 
ItsHot said:
Go strip and sell all your 14 gauge! Or at least use it to tie your ladders on board!!!
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No, no. DOT regulations are very clear that you need at least #10 copper to lash down your ladders. :grin:
 
#14=Satan

#14=Satan

celtic said:
I'd love to hear about it...tell me more.
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I get the same thing around here. Everybody thinks if I use #14 in a house, it will burn down, blow up etc. They say, "If you ever need to add on to a circuit, you're screwed!" Give me a break, what is the big deal? I typically keep receptacles on one circuit, and lighting on another circuit. So, if I had 100% contuinous use, that allows me 1440 watts on a 15a and 1920 on a 20a circuit....That is a difference of a whopping 480 watts. So that means I could have installed (6) additional can lights insead of going ALL the way back to the panel....Not worth using #12 to me. By the way, I have been doing some work on my OWN house lately, which includes some framing, baseboard etc. and my Hitachi 10" chop saw (rated at 15a) does NOT trip the 15a AFCI circuit to which it is attached. Sorry to go on a rant here, but I just don't see what all the hype is. Everyone knows #14 AWG is faster and easier to work with, and with a properly laid out design, there is NOTHING wrong with it. I will put on my Kevlar vest now as I am afraid of a rash of gunfire by some....

Edited to add:

I ALWAYS use #12 where it is required.
 
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torcho said:
So, if I had 100% contuinous use, that allows me 1440 watts on a 15a and 1920 on a 20a circuit....That is a difference of a whopping 480 watts.
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15amps x 120v = 1800 watts
20amps x 120v = 2400 watts

that would be a difference of 600 watts... but I still agree with what you were saying.
 
torcho said:
...I just don't see what all the hype is. Everyone knows #14 AWG is faster and easier to work with, and with a properly laid out design, there is NOTHING wrong with it.
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You know what just struck me? The OP is going to go to work today and tell his buddy at break, "Well, I checked on the internet and a fella named 'Torcho' said I'd have nothing to worry about putting that #14 in the basement..." :D :D

Sorry - anyway, I agree, I'd be using 14 in that basement myself. Maybe a dedicated 20A circuit for the entertainment system, if I felt the need, but it's a rare system that needs that, IMO.
 
stickboy1375 said:
15amps x 120v = 1800 watts
20amps x 120v = 2400 watts

that would be a difference of 600 watts... but I still agree with what you were saying.
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He prefaced it by saying 100% continuous use, so he's discounting to 80%.

I can see your point though, you wouldn't apply the 125% rule even though you might plan to be a profligate waster of electricity for your lighting, television, etc.:smile:
 
LawnGuyLandSparky said:
Well, is it better to have 3 - 20a circuits, or 4 - 15a circuits?
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When you need to use two heavy duty items? 3 - 20a circuits
When you need to turn one off? 4 - 15a circuits
:cool:
 
How big is this room ,...? Lets say it is 30x30 = 900sq ft. multiply that by 3va per sq ft. 2700 va divide by 120 = 22.5 amps , so it would be code compliant for two 15 amp circuits or one 20 and one 15 or two 20 amp. these circuits would be for the supply of general lighting and general receptacle load. Other loads are addressed in 220.14
 
Well, I do appreciate all the input, but it sure deviates away from my questions a little too much.
Original:
Can I use #14 for the wiring? Or is it a requirement for #12?
We are talking 2 rooms, neither being a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, pantry, or breakfast area,.
As for power, I dont see an issue myself.
I can wire 5- 15 amp circuits just for receptacle load, cheaper than 2-3 circuits at 20 amp when you figure the cost of wire (10 cents more per ft.)and receptacles (35 cents on 15a and over $2.50 on 20a, thats a 7/1 ratio). Breakers are basically the same cost.
Just looking for any NEC stipulations on the rooms taking a specific wire size?
Thanks again,
tom
 
If you plow through all the tit-for-tat in the thread, you'll see that there are no NEC stipulations regarding wire size/ampacity for these types of rooms.

Also, it's worth noting that if you put in a 20A circuit you do not need to put in 20A rated receptacles. You can use 15A receptacles as they are rated for 20A feed through -- counterintuitive, but true. You only need a 20A recep if you plan to install a device that is rated for >15A (which would have a 20A cord & plug).
 
stickboy1375 said:
15amps x 120v = 1800 watts
20amps x 120v = 2400 watts

that would be a difference of 600 watts... but I still agree with what you were saying.
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I was just showing the 480 watts as continous load which I only fill to 80% capacity.
 
tallguy said:
If you plow through all the tit-for-tat in the thread, you'll see that there are no NEC stipulations regarding wire size/ampacity for these types of rooms.

Also, it's worth noting that if you put in a 20A circuit you do not need to put in 20A rated receptacles. You can use 15A receptacles as they are rated for 20A feed through -- counterintuitive, but true. You only need a 20A recep if you plan to install a device that is rated for >15A (which would have a 20A cord & plug).
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Thanks, tallguy
That works great and cost is excellent as well. Never really thought too much on that. Is this part of 210.21 section?
Thanks again,
tom
 
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