Fireplace switch: wiring length/gauge limitations?

Can I use 16 gauge wire for lighting?

Choosing Electrical Wire Size



16-gauge are used for light-duty extension cords supporting 13 amps. 14-gauge are usedfor light fixtures, lamps, lighting circuits with 15 amps. 12-gauge are used in kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and 120-volt air conditioners supporting 20 amps.

Can I use a regular switch for fireplace?

The thermopile in your fireplace puts out millivolts, nothing near the 120V the light switch was designed for. It’s probably just a matter of finding a switch with a low enough on resistance. A generic low voltage switch from a electronics store, or ripped out of a toy, would probably do it (for example a 12V SPST).

What gauge wire is used for light switches?

14-gauge wire

15 amp switches should be connected to a 14-gauge wire, which is found in most homes. For commercial or industrial switches, 20 amp switches should be connected to a 12-gauge wire.

How do you wire a fireplace switch?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The other end of the wire through the grommet on the right side of the fireplace. Continue routing wire to wall switch location. Using no more than 15 feet of 18 gauge wire connect.

How long can you run 14 gauge wire?

As an example, for a 120-volt circuit, you can run up to 50 feet of 14 AWG cable without exceeding 3 percent voltage drop.



For 240-volt circuits:

How long can I run 12 gauge wire?

You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.

Do fireplace switches have a neutral wire?

Historically, neutral has not been needed for switches. Current code requires neutral in switch boxes for exactly this reason. If neutral is accessible then you’re set.

What is a millivolt switch?

This light switch is specifically designed to control a gas log set that utilizes a millivolt pilot control. This pilot system has a small flame that generates power for the unit’s gas valve to operate. As a result, they do not require outside power to operate and can be used in the event of a power outage.

Can you use a WIFI switch on a fireplace?

Wont work with low voltage fireplace wiring. Yeah as mentioned above it won’t work because of low voltage wiring which wifi switches currently do not support. They call it the Millivolt system in many cases. I think it’s a 24V system very similar to traditional HVAC.

Can you put a switch on a gas fireplace?

The short answer is yes, you can add a fireplace switch to gas logs, fire glass, and other hearths. The more detailed answer is some fireplaces and fire pits may require the installation of a different gas valve type. There are a few types of fireplaces and fire pits that are the exception, but most can be switched.

How does a fireplace wall switch work?

The wall switch sends an electrical signal to your fireplace to open a valve and release the gas for the pilot light to light it. Without power most fireplace valves will not open.

Why is my fireplace switch not working?

What can happen over the years, is that the connections inside the switch can get dirty, corroded, or broken, causing a loss of this voltage at the switch. So by the time the small amount of voltage gets sent back to the fireplace, it is not enough to signal the fireplace to turn on.

Can a 14 gauge wire handle 20 amps?

NEC 240.4(D)(3) states that 14 AWG must be protected at 15A. You can not use 14 AWG anywhere on a circuit that has a 20A breaker.

Can 14 gauge wire handle 30 amps?

How is it safe? A dead short in the #14 branch will draw up to 30 amps of current through the #14 wire.

Can 14 gauge wire handle 15 amps?

As the wire size amp rating chart at Cerrowire states, under normal household temperature conditions, the maximum current rating for a 14-gauge wire is 15 amps, while that for a 12-gauge wire is 20 amps.

Can 15 amp switches go on 12 gauge wire?

Yes. As long as the switch is rated for the amperage of the load served and the voltage of the circuit.

What happens if you use 12 gauge wire on a 15 amp circuit?

Because it has even less chance of overheating, 12-gauge wire is also acceptable on a 15-amp circuit.

When should I use 12 gauge vs 14 gauge?

12-gauge wire is the minimum requirement for outlets on a 20-amp circuit. 12-gauge wire can be used for outlets on both 15 and 20-amp circuits. 14-gauge wire is unsafe to use for outlets on a 20-amp circuit. 14-gauge wire can only be used for outlets on a 15-amp circuit.

Can you mix 14 gauge and 12 gauge wire?

Anyway, the first subject is a bit touchy because it makes it difficult to perform an inspection when all of the wires coming into the panel are 12 but many of the circuits have 14 in them too. There is nothing against code mixing wire size for these circuits as long as the OCPD matches the smallest wire.

Can you wire a house with 14 2 wire?

As long as the light is on a 15-amp circuit, you can use 14/2 wire to provide power to it. Just make sure the light itself requires no more than 15 amps. In many homes, 14/2 is the wire used for built-in lights. 14/2 wire can be safely used for lights wired to 15-amp circuits.