Can I use 12 2 wire for a 20amp breaker?

You can use a 20 amp circuit breaker with 12/2 Romex as 12/2 wire is rated for 20 amps. Always remember THE BREAKER IS THERE TO PROTECT THE WIRE NOT THE APPLIANCE !!!

Can I use Number 10 wire on a 20 amp breaker?





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 run a 20 amp circuit on 12 gauge wire?

Amperage and Wire Gauge



Building codes based on the National Electrical Code prohibit the use of 14-gauge wire anywhere on a 20-amp circuit. All wiring in such circuits must be 12-gauge or larger. The code also prohibits installation of a 20-amp Ground-Fault Interrupter receptacle on a 15-amp circuit.

What size wire do you use on a 20 amp branch circuit?

#12 AWG wire

The perfect wire gauge of a 20 amp breaker is the #12 AWG wire. This is a bigger wire with 25A ampacity and can handle 20 amp current while also satisfying the NEC 80% rule for safety.

How far can you run 10 2 wire on a 20 amp breaker?





How Far Can You Run 10 Gauge Wire? You can run a 10 gauge wire up to 85 feet on a 20 amp circuit. If you opt to use this type of wire on a 15 amp circuit, it can run up to 115 feet.

How many amps will 10 2 wire carry?

What Type & Gauge of Wire Should I Use?

Type NM-B (Typical Indoor Applications)*
10/2 with ground Electric Wall Heater – up to 30 amps
8/3 with ground Double Oven Range – up to 45 amps
6/3 with ground Built-in Double Ovens – up to 55 amps Double Oven Range – up to 55 amps

What size breaker do I need for AC?

AC Breaker Sizes Chart (For 1.5-Ton To 5-Ton Units)

Air Conditioner Tonnage: Max. Wattage (At 10 EER): Min. Breaker Size
2 Ton 2,400 Watts 15 Amp Breaker
2.5 Ton 3,000 Watts 20 Amp Breaker
3 Ton 3,600 Watts 25 Amp Breaker
3.5 Ton 4,200 Watts 25 Amp Breaker

What is a 10 2 wire used for?

NM-B is primarily used in residential wiring as a branch circuit for switches, outlets and other loads. NM-B may run in air voids of masonry block or tile walls where locations are not damp.

Can you connect 10 gauge wire 12 gauge?



There is no problem at all connecting a 10 gauge wire to a 12 gauge wire. Make sure that the current in the wire does not exceed 120 volts. Use a 20 amp circuit protector to make sure that the connection is safe. The combination of different gauges is a perfectly safe and normal procedure.

What size breaker do I need for 12 gauge wire?

20-amp breaker

A 12-gauge wire is required for an outlet circuit that is regulated by a 20-amp breaker while in a case where an overloading light circuit is not required a 15-amp breaker and 14-gauge wire is necessary.

How many amps can 12 gauge wire handle at 12 volts?



Maximum current (amps) in a 12V electrical circuit vs. size (AWG) and length of wire.

American Wire Gauge (#AWG)
Length (feet) Maximum Current (amps)
25 14 10
30 12 10
40 12 8

Can I use 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit breaker?

14 AWG must be protected at 15A, according to NEC 240.4(D)(3). 14 AWG can’t be used on a circuit with a 20A breaker. The screw terminals are the better choice if you want to put 15 Amp receptacle on a 20 Amp circuit with 12 gauge wire.

What happens if you use 14 2 wire on a 20 amp circuit?

It is generally NOT okay to have a 20A circuit breaker on a circuit that has any 14 gauge wire — and most homeowners won’t run into the exceptions. If there’s any #14 wire anywhere downstream, you must use a 15A breaker to protect that wire.

How many receptacles can be on a 20 amp circuit?

ten outlets



The answer to the question how many outlets on a 20 amp circuit is ten outlets. Always comply with the 80% circuit and breaker load rule, allowing a maximum load of 1.5 amps per receptacle. Remember that your circuit, wire sizes, and outlets must be compatible to avoid overheating and electrical hazards.

Can I pigtail 12 and 14 gauge wire?

Yes. It’s no problem as long as you can get a good twist on the wires. Pig tails can be 14 gauge since the branch circuit is protected by a 15A Breaker.

Can you have a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit?

You cannot push a 15 Amp plug into a 20 amp receptacle. 20Amp plugs are typically assigned to devices like air compressors and saws that require a lot of power. For the most part, you don’t have to worry about overloading your 15 Amp outlet by plugging a 20 Amp device into it.

Can I use a 20 amp outlet on a 15 amp circuit?

According to National Electrical Code, only a 15-amp or 20-amp electrical receptacle can be installed to a 20-amp circuit. A 15-amp receptacle may also be installed on a 15-amp circuit. However, a 20-amp GFCI outlet may not be installed to a 15-amp circuit.

When should I use 20 amp outlets?



Large consumers, especially kitchen appliances, such as microwaves, blenders and toasters, need a dedicated 20 amp circuit, to ensure a constant energy flow, which means they cannot share the circuit with other devices.

Does a refrigerator need a 20 amp outlet?

Refrigerator Circuit



A modern refrigerator requires a dedicated 20-amp circuit. You may currently have a smaller refrigerator plugged into a general lighting circuit, but during any major remodeling, install a dedicated circuit (120/125-volts) for the refrigerator.

How do you wire a 20 amp breaker?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So we have a 20 amp breaker here I'm not going to put this in until I get my neutral. And my ground wires hooked up so put my neutral wire I'll go ahead and loosen the screw.