Wires come in different sizes/gauges to work with the amperage of the circuit in which they’re used. It’s counterintuitive, but the larger the number, the smaller the wire. The most common sizes you’ll find in residential work are 14-gauge and 12-gauge.
Why are there different gauges of wire?
Wires come in different thicknesses—i.e., gauges—each of which is suited to different purposes. For example, craft wire is thin to support bending, forming, and twisting into jewelry and other craftwork.
Why is it important to know the wire gauge in the house wiring?
Knowing the gauge is important because it determines how much electric current a wire can carry without being damaged—this quantity is called ampacity.
What gauge should house wiring be?
In terms of home electrical wire, you’ll usually be working with 12 or 14-gauge wire. But for appliances, you’ll be using 10, 8, or 6 gauge.
Should I use 12 or 14-gauge wire?
12 gauge wire has less resistance but enough thickness that helps in conducting electricity safely. A 14 wire has more resistance than a 12 gauge wire. This makes the 12 gauge wire better for you.
What happens if I use the wrong gauge wire?
Using a wrong wire gauge leads to heat resistance, which can quickly turn into a fire hazard. Notably, each cable is designed to accommodate a specific amount of voltage ideal for a given application. If you use an inappropriately sized wire, it may end up melting due to the high amounts of flowing current.
Can you use two different gauge wires together?
It must be noted that while it is possible to splice different types of Romex wire—12/2 to 12/3, for instance—you should never splice together wires of a different gauge. Wire gauge is determined by the amount of amperage the wire is expected to carry.
What type of wire is used in a house?
Wires – Wires are copper or tinned copper, the most common conductor in home wiring with minimum resistance that come for reasonable cost. Wires are usually grouped by gauge number ranging from 00-40. Smaller the number thicker is the wire. For residential/ home, wire gauge ranging from 10 to 20 are used.
Can I wire my house with 14 2?
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. Make sure the light you install does not require more than 15 amps of power. If your light needs more than 15 amps, you’ll need to wire it to a more powerful circuit with wire heavier than 14/2.
Is a bigger gauge wire better?
The larger diameter of the bigger wire offers more area for electrons to move through the circuit. For this reason, smaller gauge wire is rated for lower amperage (electric current) limits than larger gauge wire. The smallest size of common household wire can carry 15 amps of current.
When should I use different gauge wire?
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.
Does the gauge of wire matter?
Unfortunately, size does matter. The most basic explanation on why wire gauge matters is because the thinner a wire is (higher gauge) the more resistance there will be to the flow of current. More resistance means more energy loss, which means weaker/less reliable detections.
When should I use 12-gauge wire?
Using a 12-gauge wire is a safe bet for wiring a circuit that includes both lights and outlets, or if you’re not sure which gauge to use. It is more expensive and less flexible than 14-gauge wire, but it is always a good idea to use it on a circuit rated for 15 or 20 amps.
Is it OK to 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.
Which is better 12 gauge or 14 gauge?
The first thing to understand is the gauge system. Gauge is the measurement used to measure the thickness of steel. In the gauge system the higher the number the thinner the steel. As an example, 12 gauge steel is thicker and stronger than 14 gauge steel.
