Formidable 14 Gauge Wire For 20 Amp Circuit

Can this 20 amp breaker be downsized to 15 amp to prevent any overheating or is no smaller gauge wire allowed on a 20 amp circuit.

14 gauge wire for 20 amp circuit. Jump to latest follow 1 10 of 10 posts. It s mainly been on newer homes i think these electrical contractors are cheaping out and just throwing them on there instead of grabbing a 15 amp breaker. 12 2 and on 20 amp breaker tap into it with 14 2 wire to add a switch and new fixture.

Here goes whenever i ve found a 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp breaker i ve always said it was a safety hazard for reasons we all know. 2 points 5 years ago. If it s just one switch leg to ceiling light it s no big deal to change and you definitely should.

Joined jun 8 2019 3 posts. Here s the tricky part. You have to replace any 14 gauge wire on that 20 amp circuit.

What are your thoughts. There is the potential for danger anytime a device or appliance tries to draw more power on a circuit than the wire gauge is rated for. For example plugging a heater rated for 20 amps into a 15 amp circuit wired with 14 gauge wire poses a distinct danger.

I spoke with an electrician in the area that told me on older systems it was fine but not for new construction. Discussion starter 1 jun 8 2019. Another answer would be that the 20 amp breaker most likely won t trip on overload of the 14 gauge wiring making the wiring a fuse that will burn before the breaker trips causing a possible fire.

Andy in atl registered. Apparently a 14 gauge wire can carry 20 amps safely but the powers that be say it can only carry 15 amps just as a built in safety measure. Should the circuit breaker fail to operate correctly that heater will draw more current than the wires can safely handle and could heat the wires to the point of melting the insulation around the wires and igniting surrounding materials.