mikhett
Well-known member
Im getting ready to wire my 32x32 PB.My panel is a siemans I want to use 20 amp breakers and I have 250feet of 12/3 romex.They breakers say 14/3.Can I use the 12/3? thanks Mike
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12/3 and 20 amp breakers
- Thread starter mikhett
- Start date
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Huh?
Not sure what youre referring to on the breakers. Breakers dont list NM-b wire gauges they only list a range of wire sizes that will fit in the breaker lug. Perhaps it says #14-3 awg??
Do u have a pic?
Not sure what youre referring to on the breakers. Breakers dont list NM-b wire gauges they only list a range of wire sizes that will fit in the breaker lug. Perhaps it says #14-3 awg??
Do u have a pic?
Shiftless
Well-known member
I'm with wylie on that.
BTW, It would be wrong to install a 20 amp breaker on a circuit wired with 14 ga. wire.
BTW, It would be wrong to install a 20 amp breaker on a circuit wired with 14 ga. wire.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I'm with wylie on that.
BTW, It would be wrong to install a 20 amp breaker on a circuit wired with 14 ga. wire.
Not necessarily. For general purpose circuits yes, for motor and AC circuits no. On those circuits breakers are allowed to be lager than the wire ampacity
Maybe it only takes 14 gauge wire
In all my years in the field i have NEVER seen a breaker that only takes #14.
JRC3
Well-known member
I would use nothing but 12.
Your 250', is that 3 wire with a red and a ground? If you're running it to 120v outlets I'd keep that for a more suitable purpose and go buy some 12-2.
Your 250', is that 3 wire with a red and a ground? If you're running it to 120v outlets I'd keep that for a more suitable purpose and go buy some 12-2.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Siemans 20 amp circuit breaker "ACCEPTS 14AWG WIRE".It accepts 14 awg wire .My question since I have 250 of 12/3 romex can I use it with these 20 amp breakers?
Ok. #12 should fit fine.
What is the circuit for?
Why do u need **/3- conductor?
laser3kw
Well-known member
I Googled "Siemens 20 amp circuit breaker"
every image I found and zoomed in on shows printed on the breaker body, "AWG 14-10" usually followed by the torque spec for the lug.
"14-10" I would take to mean it will accept 14ga thru and including 10ga..
every image I found and zoomed in on shows printed on the breaker body, "AWG 14-10" usually followed by the torque spec for the lug.
"14-10" I would take to mean it will accept 14ga thru and including 10ga..
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I got it cheap 250ft for 50.00 12/3. Im running it to all my outlets and switches using 20 amp breakers.
Is this going to be in a garage?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
sure u can but then whats the point? Youre wasting the conductor and then only saving about $7 vs the cost of 12/2.
U should do a MWBC(multi-wire branch circuit) with 2 duplex outlets at each box then u can have outlets on separate circuits in each box. However, U will need a double pole GFCI breaker if you go this route.
U should do a MWBC(multi-wire branch circuit) with 2 duplex outlets at each box then u can have outlets on separate circuits in each box. However, U will need a double pole GFCI breaker if you go this route.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
That's a good idea,Wylie.I will make use of the red conductor and do a mbwc.
Dont forget the double pole GFCI breaker.
rburke65
Well-known member
Will this be in a garage?......wow........
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Will this be in a garage?......wow........
Huh?
teamextreme
Well-known member
Huh?
I think he's trying to be a smart-***....to arguably one of the most knowledgeable posters in the electrical forum. Implying it was an obvious or stupid question.
TractorJeff
Well-known member
If he has 12-3, can't he run half the outlets on B/W and the other half on R/W with 2 single pole breakers? That way he won't half to worry about something at the other end or other side of the building tripping him out?
Cmreschke
Well-known member
If he has 12-3, can't he run half the outlets on B/W and the other half on R/W with 2 single pole breakers? That way he won't half to worry about something at the other end or other side of the building tripping him out?
Not unless they are handle tied together.
cory58
Well-known member
No mention of pipe. Is bare romex allowed in a garage?
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slow
Well-known member
depends on if the wire is protected or not. Here in central Florida almost all garages are drywalled, but up north, and other places, left bare studs is more common which could cause an issue with unprotected romex.
cory58
Well-known member
Pipe?
Technically, I used the wrong term. I meant conduit.
"slow" verified what I was thinking - wire needs protection if the walls are open.
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