Calling a professional electrician to assist in this case is highly advisable. Despite their differences, you can still use the 12/2 and 14/2 wires within the house.Īssign each wire to an appropriate circuit and create a clear plan. The 14/2 wires may not allow for such transitions. The 12/2 wires make it possible to upgrade from the 15 amp circuit breakers to 20 amp breakers. Choose them for outdoor use or when you need wires that can accommodate more amperage. You can be sure to get your money’s worth since these wires are more durable. As such, they create great connections between service panels and light fixtures.ĭespite the better service and high versatility, the 12/2 wires are pricier than the 14/2 wires. They have better conductivity compared to the 14/2 wires. You are less likely to worry about circuit overload thanks to the thickness and high quality. They can also withstand heat up to 140 degrees F. They can withstand harsh weather conditions such as sunlight, abrasion, and moisture. The 12/2 are perfect for outdoor use because of their thickness and design. General lighting that does not exceed 30 volts.The 12/2 wires are excellent for different types of light installation, including: When using them for lighting, pair them with 15 A circuit breakers for excellent results. Typically the 12/2 wire has a larger diameter than the 14/2 wires, with a difference of 2.5mm.ĭo not use 12/2 wires for high voltage connections (not exceeding 30 volts). They contain white (Neutral) hot and black hot wires. These are two current-carrying conductor electric wires. There is a stamp with the amperage information on the breaker handle. Open the box and find the specific breaker powering the outlet. Check the breaker box controlling unit for the exact measurements. In such instances, the wire overheats and causes permanent damage or possible fires.Īlways check the amperage of your breaker first before connecting any wires. The contrary effect would be the breaker failing to convert. In lucky cases, the breaker flips, and circuit interruptions occur. Typically, these wires can handle a maximum of 15-amp connection.Īnything beyond this limit is dangerous and illegal, as things could easily go wrong. Some outlets may need higher amperage, which may not be compatible with the 14/2 wires. While the 14/2 wires are okay for light and outlet use, they are safer for lights. I had to learn this hard when I connected the 14/2 gauge wires to 20-amp circuits, triggering malfunctions. They are not safe for high-amperage connections. These wires are excellent choices for outlets and lights in 15-amp circuit connections.Ĭhoose the 14/2 wire for low-amperage light fixtures. This means that the 14/2 wires lack a grounding wire. The 2 in the 14/2 signifies the number of wires. Be sure never to use it as a neutral since it can easily cause injuries due to electric shocks. Green/ Bare Copper Ground wire is the grounding wire.It manages all unused electricity by sending it back to the breaker panel. The white wire is another hot wire mainly known as the neutral. It is the primary carrier of electricity from the breaker panel to the switch’s light source. The 14-gauge wire combination has three different electric wires serving specific purposes. Should I use a 12 or 14-gauge wire? The 14/2 WireĬommonly known as the 14/2 jacketed cable, this wire comes with 14-gauge eclectic wires.
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