Replies

1. 
   JohnSprung | Dec 01, 2006 10:55pm | #1

   What I figure is, why bother with 15 amp for anything?  Better to go 20 for all ordinary branches, only stock #12 wire, leave yourself some headroom for hair dryers, etc.

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

2. 
   DoRight | Dec 01, 2006 10:55pm | #2

   In my opinion?  All of them.  Well, you could make a case for 15 amp lighting circuits, but even here I would go with 20.

   The price difference between 14 and 12 g wire is nothing.  So go with 12.  This allows you to run 1800 watt space heaters anywhere in the house and not worry about would other items are running on the same outlet circuit.  As for lighting circuits.  Well, you could run 14 g and use 15 amp breakers.  But why bother to have two different gauge wires running around?  And if you ever need to tap into teh lighting circuit to add a new line of outlets in the guarge or attic you have the extra amperage to do it.  If you run the circuit as a 15 amp, you could be screwed.

   Just my two cents.  Will be interesting to see other's comments.

3. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 01, 2006 10:56pm | #3

   Code requires 20 amp circuits for the kitchen small appliance circuits. That also includes the dinning room receptacles. It is not required for kitchen fixed appliacnes (refigerator, GD, DW). But the refigerator can be connected to the small appliance circuit. Also whether you need to use 20 amp for the fixed appliacne despend on their size and if you want to install more than one on the circuit.

   A 20 amp circuit is needed for the washer.

   Bathroom receptacles need a 20 amp circuit. You can either install one per bathroom with the lights and fan optionaly on the same circuit. Or sever the receptacles in multiple bathrooms, but without nothing else connected.

   That said, some local code modification require that all circuits be 20 amps. Other require that all receptacles be on 20 amp circuits, and some prohibit lights on 20 amp circuits.

   Many people will put all receptacles on 20 amp circuits. Because of 3/4 way switches, box with mulitple switches and multiple fixtures on one switch it is often easier to limit lighting to 15 amps circuits. Easier to pull 14/3 rather than 12/3, specially for fishing in remodels. Also the box fill is samller.

   If you are going the minimum I would also make the garage, basement, and outdoor receptacles on 20 amp circuits. Also places for home theaters and home office, specialy if a laser printer is used.