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Electrical Wire and Cable


Electrical Code for Wire Type and Size

How to Know What Wire Size and Type to use for Home Electrical Wiring – Continuing the circuit with the same wire size and type is essential to maintain the integrity of the circuit.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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Electrical Wire Size
[ad#block]Electrical Question: Is it legal to start a circuit with AC 12-2 and then mid circuit change the cable type to NM 12-2?

This Electrical Wiring Question came from: Eric, a Homeowner from Fairfax, Virginia.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Eric.

How to Select the Right Size and Type of Electrical Wire

Maintaining Circuit Integrity

Wire Type Definitions In This Discussion

Components of Maintaining Circuit Integrity include Items within the Circuit that have the same Circuit Rating Factors, such as:

The Dangers of Not Maintaining Electrical Circuit Integrity include:

The Following will assist you with your electrical question:

Circuit Wiring

Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

Electrical Wire for the Home

Electrical circuit
home-electrical-circuits
Electric Circuit Listing
The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required.

For more information about Electrical Code
Electrical Code
Electrical Code
Home Electrical Code
Electrical Code Directory covering:


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical Code NEC, Electrical Wiring, Wire Size and Home Electrical Wiring:
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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Electrical Code for Wire Type and Size”
  1. Brian says:

    I am adding a couple outlets to an older house, i believe the existing wire is 12-2 (larger diameter wire) can i extend from the existing outlet with a 14-2 wire? Both are romex.

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Brian,
    When extending or replacing the wiring of an existing circuit it is important to maintain the same wire size or gauge of the same amperage rating. This will prevent confusion about the actual capacity of the circuit and will maintain the integrity of the original circuit. 14-2 is commonly a 15 amp circuit rating, and 12-2 is commonly a 20 amp rated circuit, so you can see that these wire sizes should not be installed within the same circuit.
    When upgrading electrical systems of an older home it is often necessary to install new circuits to areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms and provide GFCI circuit protection as well.
    Dave