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The capacity rating of a #14 wire is 15 amps. To limit the capacity of the wire to its rated value, a 15 amp breaker must be used.

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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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13y ago
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10y ago

In most areas of North America a #12 copper wire's over current protection shall not exceed 20 amps. If the feeder is for a motor circuit then the breaker will be increased by 250% of the circuit amperage. This would allow a 50 amp breaker to be used on the motor's circuit with a #12 wire. This over protection of the circuit conductor allows for the motors inrush starting current.

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.

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Q: What size breaker for 14 awg wire?
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What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?

Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a home entertainment system?

You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.


How big of breaker do you use for 115 volt?

Depends on the wire size used in the circuit. If you use AWG # 14 wire you must use a 15 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG # 12 wire then you use a 20 amp breaker. If a AWG # 10 wire is used then a 30 amp breaker is required. The breaker protects the wiring from overheating so you must use the proper size breaker for the wire used.


Is the wire running to a 20amp breaker different from a wire running to a15amp breaker?

Yes, a 20 amp breaker requires AWG # 12 copper wire. A 15 amp breaker requires AWG # 14 copper wire.


What is the smallest copper wire size permitted by the national electric code for a 20 amp single phase electrical circuit?

I think you mean either what is the correct size or minimum wire size needed when a branch circuit is protected by a 20 A breaker. The size is 12 American Wire gauge (AWG). 14 AWG is used for 15 A circuit and 10 AWG for a 30 A breaker. The lower the gauge the larger the cross-section of the wire.

Related questions

What size wire and breaker do you need for a 5000 watt garage heater?

Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a home entertainment system?

You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.


How big of breaker do you use for 115 volt?

Depends on the wire size used in the circuit. If you use AWG # 14 wire you must use a 15 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG # 12 wire then you use a 20 amp breaker. If a AWG # 10 wire is used then a 30 amp breaker is required. The breaker protects the wiring from overheating so you must use the proper size breaker for the wire used.


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for 110 outlet?

The size breaker you use is determined by the size wire used in the circuit. If you use AWG #12/2 wire then use a 20 amp breaker. If you use AWG # 14/2 then use a 15 amp breaker.


What size breaker do you need for two 60W bulbes 110 volts?

It is not the number of bulbs that you worry about. It is the wire size that is your concern. If the circuit is wired with AWG 12/2 wire then use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with a AWG 14/2 wire then use a 15 amp breaker. You are protecting the wiring with the correct size breaker.


What size circuit breaker for GFCI circuit in a normal size bath?

Normally it is a 20 amp using AWG 12/2 gauge wire. But it really depends on what size wire is on that circuit. If it is white AWG 14 gauge then use a 15 amp breaker. If it is yellow AWG 12 gauge then use a 20 amp breaker.


Should 25 amps breaker be replaced by 20 amps?

For typical residential house wiring 12 AWG wire is required for a 20 Amp breaker. If you change out the breaker for a 25 A breaker you would have to rewire the circuit with 10 AWG. In that case you could up the breaker to 30 Amps. All outlets and switches should be rated at the same voltage and current as the breaker.


Is the wire running to a 20amp breaker different from a wire running to a15amp breaker?

Yes, a 20 amp breaker requires AWG # 12 copper wire. A 15 amp breaker requires AWG # 14 copper wire.


What is the smallest copper wire size permitted by the national electric code for a 20 amp single phase electrical circuit?

I think you mean either what is the correct size or minimum wire size needed when a branch circuit is protected by a 20 A breaker. The size is 12 American Wire gauge (AWG). 14 AWG is used for 15 A circuit and 10 AWG for a 30 A breaker. The lower the gauge the larger the cross-section of the wire.


What gauge wire used for a fifteen amp breaker?

AWG # 14 copper.


What can you operate on 120 volts at 30 amps?

Yes, if you are using AWG # 10 wire. If you are using AWG # 12 then the answer is no you must use a 20 amp breaker. On AWG #14 wire you must use a 15 amp breaker.


What size wire do you need for 15 amps?

AWG 10.