Can I mix 10 and 12 gauge wire?

Can I mix 10 and 12 gauge wire?

It would be fine (if you follow all the rules for sub-panels) to run 10 gauge wire protected by a 30A breaker to a sub-panel and then run 12 gauge wires each protected by a 20A breaker from the sub-panel.

Can you double up wires?

Yes, this is a common practice. With electric motors, for example, we often substitute 2 or 3 thinner parallel wires for 1 thicker wire. This allows us to fit the wire through thinner openings and thinner wire is often easier to bend.

Can you use two 10 gauge wires together?

You cannot use two wire of smaller gauge to double the size of the breaker. In the example of two 10 gauge wires on a 60 amp breaker, as combined two 10 gauge wires are still only capable of carrying 30 amps before they could catch on fire.

What is the difference between 10 gauge and 12 gauge wire?

The gauge and diameter of the wire are inversely related. In other words, as the gauge number gets higher, the diameter of the wire gets smaller. For example, a 10-gauge wire is bigger than a 12-gauge wire. Larger wires can carry more amperage and wattage than smaller wires.

Can 2 10 gauge wire handle 50 amps?

A 10 gauge wire can handle 50 amps bare copper like a power line but most insulated wire is rated by NEC at 35 amps max with a 30 amp circuit the normal use for 10 gauge.

Can you double up 10 gauge wire?

How can I combine two 12/2 wires?

I was thinking to use one 12/2 cable, combine the black and white from one, put it on one phase and use another 12/2 wire, combine the black and white from that one, and put it on the other phase. The grounds of both would be tied to neutral.

Why can’t I use two smaller diameter wires instead of one?

That is, more current will flow in one wire than the other. As soon as one fuse blows, all the current will flow through the other wire and blow that fuse also. Re: Using two smaller diameter wires instead of one? For the record, it’s a violation of code. But there are some tricks that would make it totally safe and arguably legal.

How bad is it to overload a 12-2 wire?

Intentionally overload one 12-2 cable This is also bad, but not as bad as paralleling, but there may be a way to “make it legal”. If you look in the code book, 12 AWG wire is legal to 30 amps if you can run it at 90 degrees C. Which you can’t except for very narrow conditions.

How to hook up two 12/2 wire to a double circuit breaker?

The grounds of both would be tied to neutral. In the garage I’d make a breakout box and attach each 12/2 to a wire of a 6/3. Each 12/2 would be a hot, 120VAC of a leg of the 2 double circuit breaker. I’d be pulling about 30 amps for an electric car charger.