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The wire gauge is rated for the current it supports under various temperature and environmental conditions. For typical residential use 10 AWGis rated for 30 amps and 12 AWG is rated for 20 amps. So the quick answer is NO.

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Wiki User

11y ago
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Steven Erickson

Lvl 3
4y ago

Yes, the rule of thumb is the( higher the number the smaller the diameter, of the wire.) So going the other way number 10 wire is larger in diameter, then number 12 wire. I know it sounds completely opposite of how you would think it to be, but there again, the wiring industry set up the sizing standards, for a reason.

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15y ago

Yes ... the smaller the number, the larger the wire diameter.

As a comparison, telephone wires are usually 22 gauge.

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15y ago

Yes the lower the number the larger the gauge, goes for sheet metal also.

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13y ago

Yes. In electrical wires, a lower-number "gauge" has thicker wire.

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12y ago

Yes, but the overall capacity is still limited by the 12 gauge wire at 20A.

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15y ago

CEC - Code does not allow the paralleling of wires smaller than #2.

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14y ago

Yes, but the splice must be made in an electrical junction box.

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Q: Can you use a 12 gauge wire in place of a 10 gauge wire?
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Can you use 10 gauge wire to connect a 2 15 amp outlets to a 30 amp breaker?

No, it is not safe to use 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp breaker as the wire is not rated for that high of a current. It is important to use the correct wire gauge that matches the breaker amperage to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. For a 30 amp breaker, you should use at least 10 gauge wire.


Can I use 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp dryer?

No, you should not use 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp dryer. A 30 amp dryer requires a minimum of 10 gauge wire, but it is recommended to use 8 gauge wire to ensure safety and to meet electrical code requirements. Using 10 gauge wire may cause overheating and pose a fire hazard.


Is 8 gauge weld wire fencing stronger than 10 gauge wire?

Yes, 8 gauge wire is thicker and stronger than 10 gauge wire. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire is. Therefore, 8 gauge weld wire fencing would be stronger and more durable than 10 gauge wire fencing.


What is difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire?

The main difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire is the number of conductors they have. 10-2 wire has two conductors, typically used for a hot wire and a neutral wire. 10-3 wire has three conductors, typically used for a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.


Can you splice a 10 ga wire to a 20 ga wire?

It is not recommended to splice two wires of significantly different gauges together as it can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. It is best to use appropriate connectors or terminals to join wires of different gauges.

Related questions

What gauge wire does a dryer use?

Normally AWG #10


Is 8 gauge weld wire fencing stronger than 10 gauge wire?

Yes, 8 gauge wire is thicker and stronger than 10 gauge wire. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire is. Therefore, 8 gauge weld wire fencing would be stronger and more durable than 10 gauge wire fencing.


Is it safe to use 10 gauge wire on a 20 amp breaker for a microwave?

No, 10 gauge wire requires the use of a 30 amp breaker. A 20 amp breaker is only used on 12 gauge wire.


You are hooking up a 220v air conditioner you were told to use 10-2 wire how do you hook this up?

10-2 wire refers to 10 gauge, 2 conductor wire. Youshould use wire that is 10 gauge or larger (8 gauge, 6 gauge, 4 gauge, 2 gauge). The larger the wire, the more it will cost. most people install using the smallest size permitted, which in this case is 10 gauge. The are specifying the wire size to ensure that you do not connect the air conditioner to electric power using wire that is two small. If you are having problems with this type of question, you should consult an licensed electrician for help in connecting your air conditioner.


What is difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire?

The main difference between 10-2 and 10-3 wire is the number of conductors they have. 10-2 wire has two conductors, typically used for a hot wire and a neutral wire. 10-3 wire has three conductors, typically used for a hot wire, a neutral wire, and a ground wire.


Can you splice a 10 ga wire to a 20 ga wire?

It is not recommended to splice two wires of significantly different gauges together as it can lead to overheating and potential fire hazards. It is best to use appropriate connectors or terminals to join wires of different gauges.


What gauge wire and amp breaker do you use on a stove dryer and hot water heater?

For a stove, use a 8 or 6 gauge wire with a 40 to 50 amp breaker. For a dryer, use a 10 or 8 gauge wire with a 30 amp breaker. For a hot water heater, use a 10 or 8 gauge wire with a 30 or 40 amp breaker. Be sure to consult local electrical codes and guidelines for specific requirements.


What gauge is the black wire with red strip ground from the alternator?

That particular wire is usually 10 gauge.


Is it safe to parallel 10 gauge wire for 60 amps?

No, it is not safe to parallel 10 gauge wire for a 60-amp circuit. You should use a wire size that is rated for the amperage of the circuit to ensure it can handle the load safely and prevent overheating. In this case, you should use a minimum of 6 gauge wire for a 60-amp circuit.


What type of wire gauge is used for a 30amp circuit?

10 gauge


Can you use 10 gauge wire to connect a 2 15 amp outlets to a 30 amp breaker?

No, it is not safe to use 10 gauge wire with a 30 amp breaker as the wire is not rated for that high of a current. It is important to use the correct wire gauge that matches the breaker amperage to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. For a 30 amp breaker, you should use at least 10 gauge wire.


Which awg wire gauge indicates the smallest wire diameter?

The AWG wire gauge with the highest number indicates the smallest wire diameter. For example, AWG 40 wire is much thinner than AWG 10 wire.