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Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 2 of 2)
Section - Copper wire characteristics table

( Part1 - Part2 - Single Page )
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	These are taken from the Amateur Radio Relay Handbook, 1985.

	AWG  dia    circ  open   cable  ft/lb   ohms/
	     mils   mils  air A  Amp    bare    1000'

	10   101.9 10380    55    33    31.82   1.018
	12    80.8  6530    41    23    50.59   1.619
	14    64.1  4107    32    17    80.44   2.575

	We don't show specs for 8ga or larger because they're
	usually stranded.

	Mils are .001".  "open air A" is a continuous rating for
	a single conductor with insulation in open air.  "cable amp"
	is for in multiple conductor cables.  Disregard the amperage
	ratings for household use.

	To calculate voltage drop, plug in the values:
		
		V = DIR/1000'
	
	Where I is the amperage, R is from the ohms/1000' column
	above, and D is the total distance the current travels (don't
	forget to add the length of the neutral and hot together - ie:
	usually double cable length).  Design rules in the CEC call
	for a maximum voltage drop of 6% (7V on 120V circuit)

User Contributions:

1
Dev
In a fire protection circuit, circuts are shown witha no example 6,8,4etc. what it mean?these circuits are connected between smode detector,junction box etc
2
kevin
My daughter dropped a small necklace behind her dresser. The necklace crossed a plug terminal and shorted the receptacle.
I bought a new receptacle and installed the same. I still have no power I suspect there could be a bigger problem,this is aluminum wiring.
I've killed the breaker and call an electrician but am curious as to what happened.P.s. there is a dimmer switch on the same circuit.
3
dennis
Regarding new construction wiring and running 12/2 and 14/3 wire in the same box.

I have multiple switches to lights. Ran 12/2 and 14/3 into switch box and inspector wrote correction needed.

What should I have done instead?

thank you
dennis
4
Robert
Does a grounding electrode facilitate the operation of a OCPD, to clear a ground fault ?
5
@dennis
Assuming you are installing two switches in a two switch box, you probably should have used 14/2 and 14/3 instead of replacing 14/2 with 12/2. If you are only installing one switch in a one switch box, you should only have one cable in the box.
6
P k
I prefer to use nothing smaller than12 awg /the smallest sized wire on a circuit determines the allowable ampacity
Ex: 15 amp-14awg. 12awg-20amp only rule for thumb other factors such as continuous load,heating and others if you do not know the safe NEC rules then please call a qualified journeyman Electrician better be safe

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Top Document: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 2 of 2)
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Next Document: Smoke detector guidelines

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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM