Current on a 12 gauge wire

[mbohuntr]

Quote Originally Posted by GregbkH View Post
BTW, almost all circuits are designed to run at 80% max current. 15 amp breaker = 12 amps, 20 amp breaker = 16 amps.






Standard rated circuit breakers are rated for 80%. The largest continuous load that can be applied to a 60 amp standard breaker and corresponding conductors is 48 amps. Math.... 1.25 (125%) x 48 amps = 60 amps.

They do make 100% duty breakers but they are more expensive.

My statement above was made to help homeowners stay safe.

FWIW, I'm a master electrician and know a thing or two about the NEC and calculations.

Thank you.. I gave up trying to explain how shared neutral appliances were a bad thing and could " never " find itself on a Mini breaker... Or the same phase..

 

[mbohuntr]

I am a retired industrial electrician. We used to work on things hot but for the last 10 years our company changed their policy to not working on anything hot. You could get fired if you did and got caught. We also stopped using mwbc's and sharing neutrals. With the increased use of flourescent lighting among other things, the harmonics were putting too much load on the neutrals.

Unfortunately, we have lots of UPS systems, and critical equipment that doesn't like to get cycled on and off, so we have some latitude on when we can just tool pouch it, or we have to suit up. Anything above 4kv, your gettin sweaty in a suit.

 

[LD1]

Funny how electrical threads always seem to turn in to bigger pi$$ing matches than political threads.

MAny people dont have a clue about electricity. And its a good thing for them to be scared of it. But anyone with half a brain an ability to look up necessary information (like wire sizing tables, certain codes, etc) can figure out residential 120/240 wiring. As with alot of things, there is more than one way to skin a cat. There are several ways things can be wired correctly, how circuits are divided up, shared neutrals, etc. There isnt any one more correct than the other, just different.

Always been a jack of all trades. But as an employee of "the man" I have had many skilled trade job titles ranging from industrial electrician, multi-craft mechanic, machinist, etc. Currently my paycheck says I am a millwright. But that certainly dont mean I have forgot everything I know about electricity. Quite the opposite. I still do alot of electrical work including my own. Its not hard or complicated at all like some people make it out to be

 

[RNeumann]

Anyone seen or heard from the OP?

 

[ray66v]

A great deal of wiring is aluminum. It is not used in branch circuits in home any more, except for ranges or sub panels. Massive amounts of aluminum are used else where.


Typically you increase by one wire size when running alum, instead of copper. You also put a coating under the lugs in the panel so they don't oxidize.


On one hand I say the codes get to crazy, on the other hand, I don't most people should do wiring, or talk about wiring.

Thanks, I am aware of all that. As well as the proper sizing when using aluminum wire.

I have worked with it, when it was part of the existing wiring.

I'm also aware my power company is running aluminum wire down my street, on top of the telephone poles.

I'm still not interested in using it.

Nor, will I ever be.

 

[Zerk]

Lol, doesn't scare me, and that's all that matters.

So, am I correct you are pretty much sorta self taught?

Quote Originally Posted by GregbkH View Post
BTW, almost all circuits are designed to run at 80% max current. 15 amp breaker = 12 amps, 20 amp breaker = 16 amps.






Standard rated circuit breakers are rated for 80%. The largest continuous load that can be applied to a 60 amp standard breaker and corresponding conductors is 48 amps. Math.... 1.25 (125%) x 48 amps = 60 amps.

They do make 100% duty breakers but they are more expensive.

My statement above was made to help homeowners stay safe.

FWIW, I'm a master electrician and know a thing or two about the NEC and calculations.

Never heard that, I assume it is true. But are we talking Homeline vs QO? Which something we have not discussed.

Been awhile but did code work in 90s, now a PE, but don't work in code. Started out wiring, than drawings engineering firm, and than industry. I mostly work 12-230kV AC, and 48-230VDC controls.


So know, we have told each other long are peckers are. I am going to assume no one one is lying about size.

 

[Zerk]

Thanks, I am aware of all that. As well as the proper sizing when using aluminum wire.

I have worked with it, when it was part of the existing wiring.

I'm also aware my power company is running aluminum wire down my street, on top of the telephone poles.

I'm still not interested in using it.

Nor, will I ever be.

But you have no reason why, you just have an opinion.

BTW those are not telephone poles. Though I realize it is a common term for folks to use.

 

[Zerk]

Funny how electrical threads always seem to turn in to bigger pi$$ing matches than political threads.

MAny people dont have a clue about electricity. And its a good thing for them to be scared of it. But anyone with half a brain an ability to look up necessary information (like wire sizing tables, certain codes, etc) can figure out residential 120/240 wiring. As with alot of things, there is more than one way to skin a cat. There are several ways things can be wired correctly, how circuits are divided up, shared neutrals, etc. There isnt any one more correct than the other, just different.

Always been a jack of all trades. But as an employee of "the man" I have had many skilled trade job titles ranging from industrial electrician, multi-craft mechanic, machinist, etc. Currently my paycheck says I am a millwright. But that certainly dont mean I have forgot everything I know about electricity. Quite the opposite. I still do alot of electrical work including my own. Its not hard or complicated at all like some people make it out to be

You can look alot of stuff up. But lots of little stuff too Like noloax on alumium, or wrapping wire correctly around screw. Little stuff like that, I suspect slips past many self taught folks.


Old saying, you can turn an electrician into a plumber, but not a plumber into an electrician.

 

[TheGoose]

We like Laws just fine, we just don't need big brother looking after our every need. Besides, you think an inspector really knows what they are looking at?

Still bound by NEC. Just no local codes. Some counties or cities will be stricter than NEC. Which to me is BS. I am surpised being in TX you don't, they seem to like laws down there.

 

[CalG]

I like LD1 's recent post.

I run my entire lab on three wire. I've got many 240 V needs that also just want to plug into the wall socket. Like they do in most of the civilized world ;-) ( the many variations acknowledged)

I use a standard A-B panel filled with breakers that I use to switch in room lights and process equipment. It's been that way for over 15 years, and I use the space every day.

Ignorance is it's own penalty.