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Posted by Pete C. on August 29, 2006, 5:23 pm
felderbush001@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> Howdy all.
> Upon inspecting the electrical system in my home I noticed a couple
> circuits wired with 14 gauge wire being protected by a 20amp breaker.
> To me this doesn't seem safe, so I plan on replacing the breakers.
>
> My question: is there a reason the electricain would run wire this way?
> The 14 wires go to outlets. My family wouldn't draw enough power from
> these outlets to cause a concern, but who knows what the future owners
> of the house would plug into these outlets. It seems to me that the
> possibility of a fire exists with the 20amp breakers protecting a 14
> gauge circuit. Am I wrong on this? Also, is this something a home
> inspector should have caught? We had the home inspected 5 years ago
> before buying the house. The wiring is easily accessed via drop-down
> ceiling panels in the basement.
>
> -Felder
Yes, replace the breakers with 15A ones.
No, there isn't any reason an electrician would wire 14ga on a 20A
breaker.
Yes, it should have been picked up by a home inspection.
Pete C.
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