Notch1988
Well-known member
I just ran out of 14/2 on my last circuit in my shop. I need 10 more feet to finish the run and I've got lots of 12/2 left. Can use the 12/2 to finish?
Can I mix wire size in a circuit?
- Thread starter Notch1988
- Start date
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
For lighting. I don't see a issue as long as the breaker is sized accordingly
royalton10
Well-known member
Junction box needs to be accessible and not buried in wall or ceiling.
matt151617
Well-known member
ie 15 amps.
ishiboo
Well-known member
NEC yes, not sure about CEC but I'd assume it would be fine. Safety wise there is no issue.
tfi racing
Well-known member
No problemo,as long as it is on the 15A breaker,CEC only mandates minimum size of conductor.
1500hd
Well-known member
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Size the breaker based on the smallest wire in the circuit. Only issue is someone in the future may find the 12 gauge and think the whole circuit is 12 gauge and want to change the breaker, but hopefully they will find the 14 gauge at the breaker. Idiot homeowner who wired this house (owner finished log home) mixed wire sizes all over, I still haven't figure it all out after 15 years. Of course, they used the cheapest dime store receptacles they could find. I had plugs falling out of the receptacles due to their own weight, had to replace every receptacle with good commercial/industrial grade stuff.
Charles
Charles
Delta74
Well-known member
CEC says your fine so long as the joint is in a box AND accessable. nuff said, do it.
In fact the current CEC is a F'ing joke, run a 20 amp lighting circuit from a 20 amp breaker 2 feet to a box, switch to 14, run across the building, then joint back to 12 and 2 feet to the light. under the current 2012 CEC 14 gauge is good for 25 amps ( 90 degree). but most equipment and breakers are not ( there rated at 75 degree's thus use ampacity for 75 degree in table 2 of CEC ) , thus the current 15 amp still applies when connected to those devices. but Joint it, drop size, joint and go up in size to terminate is all good.
anyone wondering I JUST finished my fourth year ( code heavy ) and wrote my red seal exams under the current 2012 CEC rules. the code is a mess and the above Idea is 100% code legal. not always smart, but code legal. yes the instructors and whole class were all shaking our heads on the current rules and regs,
In fact the current CEC is a F'ing joke, run a 20 amp lighting circuit from a 20 amp breaker 2 feet to a box, switch to 14, run across the building, then joint back to 12 and 2 feet to the light. under the current 2012 CEC 14 gauge is good for 25 amps ( 90 degree). but most equipment and breakers are not ( there rated at 75 degree's thus use ampacity for 75 degree in table 2 of CEC ) , thus the current 15 amp still applies when connected to those devices. but Joint it, drop size, joint and go up in size to terminate is all good.
anyone wondering I JUST finished my fourth year ( code heavy ) and wrote my red seal exams under the current 2012 CEC rules. the code is a mess and the above Idea is 100% code legal. not always smart, but code legal. yes the instructors and whole class were all shaking our heads on the current rules and regs,
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