Taps for Receptacles

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speedypetey

Senior Member
Location
Hudson Valley, NY
Am I correct in my interpretation that you can use 14 ga taps off 12 ga wire to feed receptacles.

20 amp circuit. 3-12/2nm wires in a 2 gang box with two duplex receptalces. Can I splice and tap 14 to the devices.

Table 210.24 tells me yes. Am I correct?

I would probably not do this myself but I need to know if this is compliant.
Thanks.
 
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a.wayne3@verizon.net

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Re: Taps for Receptacles

Why would you want to do this ????????
 
don_resqcapt19

don_resqcapt19

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
retired electrician
Re: Taps for Receptacles

While there are places where a #14 tap is permitted on a 20 amp branch circuit, the feed to a duplex receptacle is not one of them. 210.24 refers you to 210.19 for specific requirements.
Don
 
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binney

Inactive, Email Never Verified
Re: Taps for Receptacles

Why would you want to do this ?????
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At my last place of employment this was required, if the elders caught u using #12 tails they'd make u change them out to #14. There only reasoning was ease of installation. It's quicker putting them on the outlet and they go in the box easire.

They justified this by saying #14 is rated for 25amps. And what's the difference it's only 1 receptacle and the cord being plugged in, is probably a no bigger than #16
 
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jimwalker

Senior Member
Location
TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: Taps for Receptacles

My understanding is it is legal.But would never do this.I am all for saving money but that's just flat out being cheap.Chances are when cutting in a box you have a piece of 12 right there in front of you that you cut off because it was too long.
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: Taps for Receptacles

210.19(A)(2) Multioutlet Branch Circuits. Conductors of branch circuits supplying more than one receptacle for cord-and-plug-connected portable loads shall have an ampacity of not less than the rating of the branch circuit.
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One duplex is two receptacles, you can not use 14 AWG to feed outlets on a 20 amp branch.
 
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pierre

Senior Member
Location
Westchester County, New York
Re: Taps for Receptacles

There are times that certain code rules do not make sense and you would almost want to 'spit in the wind' :confused:

210.19(A)(4)exception No 1 (c)
This rule distinctly tells us that taping a conductor smaller than the circuit size is not permitted for receptacles. This is not a 'gray' area and should be treated like every other code rule even if we should in our own minds decide it is okay to do. That is what separates 'us' from those who are HACKERS!!!

Pierre
 
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binney

Inactive, Email Never Verified
Re: Taps for Receptacles

That is what separates 'us' from those who are HACKERS!!!
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I wish just following the code prevented us from being hackers. The code is only a min. requirement there's plenty of room for hacking, even in the confines of the NEC.

One thing that comes to mind for, is pre-twisting solid wires together before putting wire nuts on. There're guys around here that insist the wire nut is enough, but i've seen plenty of wires fall out of a wire nut. NOT MINE!

And that's just the beginning.

I don't feel it's the fault of the NEC. A true hack will find a way no matter how many rules there are.
 
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