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Most lighting circuits are 15 amps and require 14 AWG wire. 16 AWG wire has a smaller cross section than 14 AWG and cannot be used in the 15 amp circuit.
I had an answer here and deleted it when I found it to be at least partially incorrect. What I found is this: Sec 240.5(B)(2) allows 16 AWG fixture wire to be run up to 100 feet in length when attached to a 20 amp circuit. I thought it was 18 inches. Fixture wires are defined in Table 402.3.
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∙ 12y ago
It is not recommended to connect 16 gauge wire to 14 gauge wire for a light fixture. Different wire gauges have different ampacity ratings, meaning they can carry different amounts of current safely. It is best to use the same gauge wire for properly and safely conduct electricity.
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Can you wire a light switch with only one 14-2 wire?
No, you need a minimum of two 14-2 wires to wire a light switch properly. One wire is needed for the power supply, and the other wire is needed to carry the switched power to the light fixture. Without two wires, you won't be able to complete the necessary connections for the light switch to work correctly.
How do you wire an additional light to another light with a switch?
To wire an additional light to another light with a switch, you would connect the hot wire from the existing light to the hot wire of the new light. Then connect the neutral wires together. Finally, connect the ground wires together. This creates a parallel circuit so both lights can be controlled by the switch.
What is the minium conductor wire size that can be used for a light?
The minimum conductor wire size that can be used for a light fixture depends on the maximum current the light will draw. For standard residential lighting, a 14-gauge wire is commonly used as it can handle up to 15 amps of current. However, always consult the National Electrical Code (NEC) or a qualified electrician to ensure proper wire sizing for your specific application.
Can you use 18 gauge wire in a ceiling fixture?
Yes, you can use 18 gauge wire in a ceiling fixture. It is typically suitable for lighting and other common household electrical applications. Just make sure to check the fixture's specifications to ensure the wire gauge is compatible.
Can you use a 240V hanging light fixture in the USA?
No, hanging light fixtures designed for 240V are not compatible with the standard voltage in the USA, which is 120V. It could cause damage to the fixture and pose safety hazards. Make sure to use a light fixture specifically designed for use with 120V power in the USA.
Can you wire a light switch with only one 14-2 wire?
No, you need a minimum of two 14-2 wires to wire a light switch properly. One wire is needed for the power supply, and the other wire is needed to carry the switched power to the light fixture. Without two wires, you won't be able to complete the necessary connections for the light switch to work correctly.
Can you use 40 amp breaker for your lights and plug ins?
If you are referring to house wiring then the answer is no. A breaker protects the wire size that is connected to the breaker. In home wiring most homes are wired with a #14 wire which is rated at 15 amps. That is why the wire is protected by a 15 amp breaker. The correct wire size to connect to a 40 amp breaker is a #8. This size wire is too large to connect to receptacles an light fixture terminals.
How do you wire up a extractor fan for a bathroom so it can be turned on and off via light switch and the fan has no timer?
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hertz supply service.First thing to do is turn off the breaker to that circuit. The fan has to be wired in parallel with the bathroom light. If you can access the light junction box from the back side (eg. in an attic space) install a two wire NMD #14 cable to the position of the new fan. Disconnect the bathroom fixture's black and white wires from the bathroom light. Connect the new NMD #14 wire to the wires you just removed the fixture from. Make a pigtail of 6 inches long from a piece of the black and white # 14 wire. Connect the white pigtail into the two white wires by twisting all three together and installing the proper size wire nut. Do the same with the black wires. Reconnect the bathroom fixture to the pigtail wires and reinstall the fixture to the junction box. Connect the new extractor fan to the free end of the NMD #14. Now when you turn on the light the new fan will also come on. 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-energizedIF YOU ARE NOT REALLY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
How do you wire an additional light to another light with a switch?
To wire an additional light to another light with a switch, you would connect the hot wire from the existing light to the hot wire of the new light. Then connect the neutral wires together. Finally, connect the ground wires together. This creates a parallel circuit so both lights can be controlled by the switch.
What is the minium conductor wire size that can be used for a light?
The minimum conductor wire size that can be used for a light fixture depends on the maximum current the light will draw. For standard residential lighting, a 14-gauge wire is commonly used as it can handle up to 15 amps of current. However, always consult the National Electrical Code (NEC) or a qualified electrician to ensure proper wire sizing for your specific application.
What should the reading at the light switch be when the switch and the light fixture is removed. I had a dimmer switch on that light it went out I checked the volts at the switch they were about 14?
On the "hot"wire that comes from the breaker panel the voltage should be from 115 to 120 volts. This is taken from the "hot" wire to either the neutral or the ground wire. If its not then you have a breaker problem or you are on the wrong scale of the test meter.
How do you wire a light to a switch at the end of a run and which controls an outlet?
Bring power into the light switch box 12/2 or 14/2 wire depending on the existing wire. Make sure you use the exactly same size wire that is used on that circuit. If you do not know look at the breaker in the main panel that controls power to that circuit. 20 amp will be 12/2 wire and 15 amp will be 14/2 wire. Now run another wire from the switch box out to the outlet. Inside the switch box, strip both white wires back 3/4" and connect them together under a wire nut and push this back into the box. Connect the 2 ground wires together and then connect that to the ground screw on the switch. You now have 2 black wires left. Connect them to the 2 screws on the light switch. Does not matter which black wire you connect to which screw. At the outlet connect the ground wire to the green ground screw, black wire to copper screw, and white wire to silver screw. That outlet will now be controlled by the light switch.
Can you connect 12-2 wire to 14-2 wire together?
You cannot connect 12-2 wire and 14-2 wire together. This can be dangerous, and it will cause issues with the circuit.
Can you use 18 gauge wire in a ceiling fixture?
Yes, you can use 18 gauge wire in a ceiling fixture. It is typically suitable for lighting and other common household electrical applications. Just make sure to check the fixture's specifications to ensure the wire gauge is compatible.
Can a pull chain light switch be converted to wall switch?
The pull chain on the porcelain light fixture can be converted to a wall switch very easily. You will need to install a new two wire #14 cable from the box the fixture is mounted to now to the new wall switch box. Remove the power to the circuit by shutting that circuit's breaker off. The wire that is connected to the switch in the light fixture is the incoming "hot" wire. Disconnect it and re connect it to the black wire that goes down to the switch. Disconnect the white wire from the old porcelain fixture. For the installation of the porcelain fixture connect the white wire to the silver screw on the new fixture. Now connect the white wire that returns from the switch to the brass coloured screw on the new fixture. Mark this white wire with a small piece of black electrical tape to re identify it as not a neutral (code rule) but a potential "hot" wire. At the switch end make sure that the black wire is connected to the top screw and the re identified white wire (with a black tape marker) is connected to the bottom screw of the switch. Connect the ground wire in the cable to the new switch box and the existing fixture box. Install the switch making sure that the switch is in the off position and that the handle in facing downwards. Install switch plate cover, turn the breaker back on and you are finished. This project is relatively easy to do if there is already an existing wall box close to the pull-chain switch BUT ONLY if it already has the right wiring in it.If there is no such wall box then a new one will have to be installed and wired. If you already know how to do that safely you would not be asking this question here!For some relevant information, please see the related question below about replacing a wall switch by a pull switch. 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 JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
How do I wire a new 3-way switch. I can't follow what my book says.?
you need the following wire should be 14-3 wire and two three way switches 14 -3 wire has 4wire in the bundle 1white 1black 1 copper and 1 of a different color this wire runs from switch to fixture to switch from power source tie copper wires together from source ( this is a ground )tie to fixture ground tie black wire together from source this should be the hot leg tie white wire together from source ( this is a Neutral) fourth wire runs from switch to switch wire nut together at fixture follow switch instructions all else fails call electrician
How do I wire a new 3-way switch. I can't follow what my book says?
you need the following wire should be 14-3 wire and two three way switches 14 -3 wire has 4wire in the bundle 1white 1black 1 copper and 1 of a different color this wire runs from switch to fixture to switch from power source tie copper wires together from source ( this is a ground )tie to fixture ground tie black wire together from source this should be the hot leg tie white wire together from source ( this is a Neutral) fourth wire runs from switch to switch wire nut together at fixture follow switch instructions all else fails call electrician
