Shop wiring

[Sparktrician]

Smart money says don't mix breakers, devices and wiring of different ratings on a single circuit.  Example: 15 amp breaker with 12 gauge wiring and devices (switches, receptacles, etc.) rated to 15 amps.  Yes, you CAN use 12 gauge per code in this case.  It's just not wise to do so.  Sometimes I've seen circuits that have had 12 and 14 gauge intermingled on the same circuit.  So imagine that a homeowner comes along and finds 20 amp devices on a circuit, and arbitrarily decides (without checking) that it's just got to be a 20-amp circuit and plugs in a space heater with a 20-amp draw,  Maybe it will trip the breaker; maybe it will start a fire.  Who knows?  I prefer to match ratings throughout a circuit so that any device on a given circuit is rating-matched to the gauge of wiring on the complete circuit and to the breaker on that circuit.  It's just a good practice. 

 

[HometownFurnitureMore]

Correction to last post.

I have figured out what was wrong, not wrong, and what needs taken care of.

Yesterday I finally figured out I don't have to rewire the whole shop, just the four outlets that I had already started to redo.

The white 14/2 wire I thought was 14/2 is in fact 12/2. Got to look at a whole piece of it,and it says 12/2 on the white jacket.

Just looking at it, I assumed it was 14/2 and my mistake on wiring it 12 years ago. I was wrong.

Only thing I need to fix is the 1/2" conduit I was using to run the Romex 12/2. Need to be at least 3/4" pvc to be safe.

Also need to replace a 30 amp breaker with a 20amp for table saw and replace some other 1/2" pvc that was run in the past.