Calculate Electrical Circuits for Lights and Outlets
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Can I use a 12 gauge wire for 7 outlets and 12 lights…
© By: Dave Rongey
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Electrical Question from Beata about Wiring Lights and Outlets
Background: Beata, a Homeowner from Exton, PA
[ad#block]Question: Can I use a 12 gauge wire for 7 outlets and 12 lights?
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Beata. That depends on how many watts will be required for each light fixture, and it depends on the type of room where the outlets will be installed. However, I would install one circuit for the outlets and a second circuit for the lights. 12 gauge wire is rated for 20 amps or 2400 watts maximum.
Make a list of how many light fixtures, the number of bulbs and the watts for each bulb.
Calculate this to determine the load of the proposed circuit:
Watts X Bulbs X Number of Light Fixtures = Total Watts or the Load being placed on the circuit.
Total Watts / Voltage (120) = Required Circuit Amperage
The required wire size will be determined by the required circuit amperage and circuit breaker size.
The Following links will assist you with your electrical question:
Electrical Codes for Outlets
Electrical Wire Size Chart
Wiring Electrical Outlets
Lighting for the Home
This link is helpful as a Homeowner
Do-It-Yourself Electrical
Make sure not to miss these Resources for: How-To-Videos
Electrical Videos
Be Careful and Be Safe – Never Work on Energized Circuits!
For Best Results Consult a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Locate An Electrical Contractor in Your Area
The following may also be helpful for you:
A Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book:
Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians
Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
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This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
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My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
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