Need an opinion. I'm doing a large hotel, with guestroom circuiting set up in a vertical scheme (i.e. receptacles circuited vertically and lighting circuited vertically, panelboards are located at bottom and top of the hotel. I have upsized the vertical riser circuits serving the guestroom lighting to #10 for some of the longer vertical runs. I'd like to save some money by running #12 for the actual switchlegs within the guestroom. Since the whole circuit is used in a voltage calc....is there a problem with downsizing to #12 just within the room itself for the switchlegs? My vote is that it is OK....dissenting opinions?
upsizing conductors for voltage drop
- Thread starter gravy
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- Location
- Logan, Utah
As long as the OCPD for the circuit is sized to protect the #12 conductors you would be fine.
Chris
Chris
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Yea. What he said. 
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
I agree. This is a common scenario. Typically #10 homerun circuits with #12's feeding lighting and receptacles.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Do keep in mind, however, that EGC's must be upsized to match.
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