Whips

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mstrlucky74

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Do fixture tails/whips have to be a specific insulation? I thought you couldn't use thhn. Is there a code section for these? Thanks
 
Typically they have #16 or #18 AWG (like TFFN) fixture wire conductors, THHN minimum size is #14. There are other limitations for fixture taps.
 
mstrlucky74 said:
So if you use thhn for whip it can't be larger that #14? Thanks
Click to expand...
No. If you are not using a manufactured whip then the minimum size wire you can use, by code, is 15AWG and that needs to be on a 15A breaker. 12AWG on a 20A breaker. You basically can't use larger than a 20A breaker, but you could use larger wire if you wanted.

There are some weird tap rules for light fixtures, where you can run like a hundred feet of 18AWG to a switch on a 20A breaker, but I don't know anybody that's ever tried.
 
mstrlucky74 said:
So if you use thhn for whip it can't be larger that #14? Thanks
Click to expand...

No, if you use #12 THHN in a whip on a 20 amp branch circuit then it is part of the branch circuit and not a fixture tap under 240.5(B)(2). If you're looking to use a conductor smaller than #12, like in a fixture tail or whip, (fixture tap) then you need a listed fixture wire. Typically manufactured whips have #16 or #18 AWG conductors.

240.5(B)(2) Fixture Wire. Fixture wire shall be permitted to betapped to the branch-circuit conductor of a branch circuit in
accordance with the following:
(1) 20-ampere circuits — 18 AWG, up to 15 m (50 ft) of
run length
(2) 20-ampere circuits — 16 AWG, up to 30 m (100 ft) of
run length
(3) 20-ampere circuits — 14 AWG and larger
(4) 30-ampere circuits — 14 AWG and larger
(5) 40-ampere circuits — 12 AWG and larger
(6) 50-ampere circuits — 12 AWG and larger
Click to expand...
 
infinity said:
No, if you use #12 THHN in a whip on a 20 amp branch circuit then it is part of the branch circuit and not a fixture tap under 240.5(B)(2). If you're looking to use a conductor smaller than #12, like in a fixture tail or whip, (fixture tap) then you need a listed fixture wire. Typically manufactured whips have #16 or #18 AWG conductors.
Click to expand...

I thought a lot of guys made up the tails with FMC and wire...not get them pre-assembled.? Also, I thought if the wire is #14 or smaller the tap has to be no more than 6'.?
TY
 
ActionDave said:
No. If you are not using a manufactured whip then the minimum size wire you can use, by code, is 15AWG and that needs to be on a 15A breaker. 12AWG on a 20A breaker. You basically can't use larger than a 20A breaker, but you could use larger wire if you wanted.

There are some weird tap rules for light fixtures, where you can run like a hundred feet of 18AWG to a switch on a 20A breaker, but I don't know anybody that's ever tried.
Click to expand...
How often do you use the 15 AWG?
Where do you purchase it?
 
mstrlucky74 said:
I thought a lot of guys made up the tails with FMC and wire...not get them pre-assembled.? Also, I thought if the wire is #14 or smaller the tap has to be no more than 6'.?
TY
Click to expand...

The 6' limitation is because 3/8" FMC is limited to a maximum length of 6'. You can use #16-#18 listed fixture wire. Typically we use #16 TFFN.
 
MAC702 said:
Reminds me that I've got six bags of #5 lead shot waiting for me to get around to making shotshells with.

For those who aren't shotgunners, that's a very rare size. The common ones are 4, 6, 7½, and 8.
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Haven't been around shotguns for years, surprised they haven't banned lead shot yet.
 
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