Can I use 12 gauge wire for lights?

If you’re wiring a circuit on which there are both lights and outlets, or you just aren’t sure which wire gauge to use, you can’t go wrong by choosing a 12-gauge wire. It’s not quite as flexible as a 14-gauge wire, and it costs a bit more, but it’s always a safe choice on a 15- or 20-amp circuit.

How much amperage can a 12 gauge wire handle?

“Twelve-gauge wire is good for 20 amps, 10-gauge wire is good for 30 amps, 8-gauge is good for 40 amps, and 6-gauge is good for 55 amps,” and “The circuit breaker or fuse is always sized to protect the conductor [wire].”

Should I use 10 or 12 gauge wire?

12-gauge are used in kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and 120-volt air conditioners supporting 20 amps. 10-gauge are used in electric clothes dryers, 240-volt window air conditioners, electric water heaters supporting 30 amps. 6-gauge are used for cook tops and ranges carrying 40-50 amps.

Can you mix 12 and 10 gauge wire?

It would be fine (if you follow all the rules for sub-panels) to run 10 gauge wire protected by a 30A breaker to a sub-panel and then run 12 gauge wires each protected by a 20A breaker from the sub-panel.

Can you use 12 3 wire lights?

12/3 is used for things like 3 way light switches, but that would not normally connect to the circuit breaker. 12/2 and 12/3 both usually have a bare ground wire as well.

How many amps will a 10 3 wire carry?

What Type & Gauge of Wire Should I Use?

Type NM-B (Typical Indoor Applications)*
10/3 with ground	Apartment size Range – up to 30 amps Built-in Single Ovens – up to 30 amps	Electric Dryer – up to 30 amps
10/2 with ground	Electric Wall Heater – up to 30 amps
8/3 with ground	Double Oven Range – up to 45 amps

What is the difference between 10 gauge and 12 gauge wire?

The gauge and diameter of the wire are inversely related. In other words, as the gauge number gets higher, the diameter of the wire gets smaller. For example, a 10-gauge wire is bigger than a 12-gauge wire. Larger wires can carry more amperage and wattage than smaller wires.

Is it OK to use 10 gauge wire for outlets?

Legally, ethically, and according to electrical code, #10 wire is more than adequate for a 20 amp circuit. However, it will be substantially harder to work 10/3 into place and secure. Even a single #10 wire is at least 50\% stiffer and harder to bend than a #12.

Can I use 10 3 wire for an outlet?

10/3 wire can be used to wire outlets for air conditioning units, electric dryers, and small ovens or stoves. 10/3 wire is designed for wiring 220-volt four-pronged outlets. For large appliances, wire your 220-volt socket with larger wire, such as 8/3 or 6/3 cable.

Can you use 10 gauge wire on a 20 amp receptacle?

Yes, you can use 10 AWG copper conductors with a 20 ampere breaker. The smallest size conductors you could use with a 20 ampere breaker, are 12 AWG copper conductors. There’s no problem using larger conductors, other than cost to you, and difficulties associated with working with thicker conductors.

Can I use a 12-gauge wire on a 30-amp breaker?

A 30-amp breaker does not operate safely with a 12-gauge wire. The minimum wire size that is allowable for use with a 30-amp breaker is 10 gauge.

Can I pigtail from 10 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire?

Not by a long shot, especially for a whole house job. You are not saving time OR money by cobbling 10 gauge into 12 gauge. More boxes, More wire nuts, more effort: Pigtailing to proper connection sizes means more than doubling the size of each junction box or it will require two boxes instead of one, as well as needing twice as many wire nuts.

How many gauge wire do I need for a light fixture?

Most household lighting fixture, as well as many appliances, requires about 12- or 14-gauge wire. This is usually indicated as a number and a dash and then another number. For example, 12-2 or 12/2. The first number, 12, indicates the wire diameter while the second number determines the number of wires the cable contains.

Is 12 AWG rated for more than 20 amps?

I know that 12 AWG is only rated for 20 amps but I won’t be using any power tools that require more than 15 amps on one receptacle at a time, also the receptacles are only rated for 20 amps. You cannot come off a 30A breaker with #10 wire (so far so good) and then terminate it at 15-20A receptacles. (nope, nope, nope!)