What size Romex do I need?
Most 120Vac household circuits are fine using a 12 or 14 gauge wire. The smaller the gauge Number the larger the conductor size. So when your needing a three conductor cable to wire up a basic 2-way switch, you will need a 14/2 w/ground cable.
Should I use 12 or 14 gauge Romex?
It’s OK to wire a 15-amp light circuit with a 14-gauge wire to save a bit of money and make the wiring job a bit easier. You must also use a 12-gauge wire when connecting an outlet rated for 20 amps, as many GFCI outlets are, even if the appliances you plug in are rated for only 15 amps.
How do I know what size electrical wire to use?
To determine what gauge wire you need, consider the carrying capacity and the amount of current the wire needs to conduct (measured in amperage or amps). Wire gauge is directly related to how many amps you need to run through it. The distance you need the wire to go can also impact the gauge of wire you need.
How do I know what Romex to use?
Romex will be labeled with “12-2” or “12-3”. The first number indicates the gauge of the wire. You choices are typically 10, 12, or 14 gauge. The second number indicates the number of conductors.
Can I mix 12 and 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
Generally speaking, #12 is good for 20A and #14 is only good for 15A. So if you have a 15A circuit, you could mix them with no problem. However if you have a 20A circuit, you can’t use #14 at all.
Can you run a 14 gauge wire off a 12 gauge wire?
Originally Answered: Can I mix 12 and 14 gauge wire? The 12 gauge can carry more current, therefore; you must not use 14 gauge in place of 12 gauge, but you can use 12 gauge in place of 14 gauge, but 12 gauge is larger.
What size wire do I need for a 15 amp circuit?
14-gauge wire
A 15-amp circuit is usually served by 14-gauge wire and is protected by a 15-amp circuit breaker or fuse. A 20-amp circuit, protected by a 20-amp breaker or fuse, must be served by 12-gauge or 10-gauge wire.
Is 12 gauge Romex always yellow?
Yellow color-coded cable sheathing encloses 12-gauge wires. Yellow 12-gauge cable is typically used for 20-amp circuits that power general household outlets used for a variety of plug-in appliances. Dedicated appliance circuits also call for 20-amp circuits in most cases.
What is the difference between white and yellow Romex?
For example, white sheathing means that the inner wires are 14-gauge and yellow sheathing indicates that they are 12-gauge. The National Electrical Code (NEC) says that white or gray must be used for neutral conductors and that bare copper or green wires must be used as ground wires.
Where do you find wire size vs. amps chart?
– Understand how much current you need to draw for your tool or appliance – Properly size the wire gauge to the length and current draw required – Keep your cables as short as possible for higher current tools – Unroll extension cords fully so they aren’t coiled during use
How many wires through each Romex clamp?
Usually, there are two clamps that can hold two cables each. If a clamp is not next to the knockout you are using, simply unscrew the clamp and move it to the desired location. There should be a pre-drilled hole for the clamp screw near each pair of knockouts. Insert the cable into the knockout and slide it under the clamp.
How to gauge wire size?
General information about the cable wire size. Electrical voltage is the separation of electric charges and the current flow due to the directed movement of electrons between two points.
Does all Romex have a ground wire?
ROMEX® is a cable of two or more wires enclosed in a plastic or rubberized sheath. The most common types of ROMEX® are rated only for indoor use and come in 14 and 12 AWG wire sizes. The cable includes a bare ground wire wrapped in paper. NM 14-2 ROMEX® has a black insulated wire, a white insulated wire and a bare ground wire, all 14 gauge.