As long as the fixture has a UL (or equivalent) stamp/sticker, there is no problem.
What gauge wire do I need for outdoor flood lights?
Hardwiring and Long Wire Runs
For low voltage lighting in long wire runs, such as exterior landscape lighting, you may want to go with a 12- or 10-gauge wire to prevent voltage drop.
Can I use 18 gauge wire for lights?
It is very common for factory fixture wires to be 18 AWG or even smaller. Perfectly fine, because they are part of a listed and labelled assembly. If you have to add your own wires, they need to be 14 or 12 AWG, depending on the breaker protecting the circuit. It will work, but may not meet code requirements.
Can I connect 18 gauge wire to 16 gauge wire?
Yes the 16-gauge will work just fine. Make sure your connections are well insulated.
Do you need 12 gauge wire for a 20 amp breaker?
Yes, all conductors protected by a 20 ampere circuit breaker must be at least 12 AWG copper.
How many amps can 18 gauge wire?
An 18-gauge wire can handle about 16 amps of current. It is one of the smaller wires in diameter and is commonly used for low voltage lighting.
What gauge wire is used for lighting?
Wire Gauges and Uses
| Wire Use | Rated Ampacity | Wire Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Low-voltage Lighting and Lamp Cords | 10 Amps | 18 Gauge |
| Extension Cords | 13 Amps | 16 Gauge |
| Light Fixtures, Lamps, Lighting Runs | 15 Amps | 14 Gauge |
| Receptacles, 110-volt Air Conditioners, Sump Pumps, Kitchen Appliances | 20 Amps | 12 Gauge |
How far can you run a 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
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.
What size wire is good for 20 amps?
Twelve-gauge wire
“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].”
What size wire do you need to run a 20 amp 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.
What happens if you use 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
I would say 14 gauge wire anywhere on a 20 amp circuit is not OK. The purpose of the breaker is to cut off power before the wiring overheats. If you plug in several devices on an outlet that total 20 amps, you will exceed the safe working capacity of the 14 gauge wire without tripping the breaker.
How many lights can you have on a 20 amp circuit?
Maximum Lights Per Circuit
Technically, you can install 13 outlets or lights on a 20-amp CB, but you can only put ten lights per circuit due to the 80% rule of maximum continuous load.
What wire is needed for a dryer?
10 AWG wire
The NEC requires that dryers have a dedicated circuit with a minimum of 30 amps. This calls for a 30-amp, double-pole breaker wired with 10 AWG wire.
What size wire do I need for a 220 dryer?
Typically a 220v/30 amp Dryer circuit would utilize 10/3 with ground. According to this voltage drop table, it looks like for 100′ run you would want to up-size the wire to #8 copper, to maintain voltage drop less than 3%.
Does a dryer need a neutral wire?
Due to the nature of the 120/240V split-phase system, the grounded (neutral) and grounding conductors in a dedicated single appliance circuit are basically the same. The dryer will work just fine whether the N terminal is connected to a grounded (neutral) conductor, or a grounding conductor.
