Question on a branch circuit

[lzicc]

I am going to be installing new LED shoplights in my garage. I am going to tap off a 20 amp plug circuit. Since these are for lights only, can I run 14/2 wire for the lights? Nothing else will be in the branch other than these LED shoplights.

 

[frugalangler]

Although nothing you install will be, a circuit protected by a 20A breaker should have 12Ga wire downstream in case someone else taps off the branch you install

 

[lzicc]

If the end of the branch circuit ends inside the last shop light, I wouldn't think anyone would think about tapping into it. Is it safe if that is the case? I can use 12/2 wire, but it is so much thicker than 14/2 for lights, especially for LED shoplights since they are so narrow to begin with. I am going to be installing 4 of them on the same circuit and want to put them on a wall switch.

 

[RNeumann]

Code requires 12awg wire if it is protected by a 20a breaker. If this is a code question, that's the answer.
If you are simply asking what will "work" I would only recommend following code as that is best accepted practice.

 

[CobyRupert]

Code requires 12awg wire if it is protected by a 20a breaker. If this is a code question, that's the answer.
If you are simply asking what will "work" I would only recommend following code as that is best accepted practice.

Correct: The code requires you protect #14awg wire with a 15 amp breaker
(read here)
even though it has a rated ampacity of either 20amps (w/ cable insulation
(read here)
and terminations having a 75 deg C rating), or
(read here)
25 amps (w/ 90 deg C rating).
(read here)
If you're adding (say) 360 Watts of LED lighting, the lights will draw 3 amps.
(read here)
People aren't going to explicitly advise you to ignore the code.

 

[CADplans]

You can change the breaker to 15 amps,, and use 14 gauge wire,,,

 

[RNeumann]

Correct: The code requires you protect #14awg wire which has a rated ampacity of 20amps (if cable insulation
(read here)
and terminations have a 75 deg C rating), or 25 amps (if 90 deg C rated) with a 15 amp breaker.
(read here)
If you're adding (say) 360 Watts of LED lighting, the lights will draw 3 amps.

Not sure what where this is going. OP is talking 12/2 vs 14/2- these are common terms for what the code calls NM- commonly called Romex.

If OP turns this into another type of wire I'd be happy to offer advice about that. Until then it's 12/2.

Btw- don't forget OCPD min wire size in 240.4D. It's more than just the chart.......14awg copper- no matter the type- is 15a OCPD, 12awg- 20a etc

 

[CobyRupert]

Yes. The code requires you to use a 15 amp breaker to protect a cable that is likely rated for 25amps and may have a load of (say) 3 amps on it.
I don't disagree.

Why, did you read something else between the lines?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

There is one loophole to the general rule that the wire has to be the same size throughout: the wire between an outlet and a device can be smaller.

Install an outlet box. Put a plug cord on the lights and plug it into the outlet.

 

[lzicc]

That is what I am thinking about doing.

There is one loophole to the general rule that the wire has to be the same size throughout: the wire between an outlet and a device can be smaller.

Install an outlet box. Put a plug cord on the lights and plug it into the outlet.