Wire size for 1200 watts

Electrical Wiring: Wire size for 1200 watts

Electrical Wiring Question:
What GAGE wire or wire size is appropriate to handle up to 1200 watts of home current on a 120 volt, 20 amp circuit
Name P A.

Hi P A. - Great Question!
For home wiring the following apply: #12 wire is rated for 1920 Watts at 120 volts. #14 wire is rated for 1440 Watts at 120 volts. These are rated at 80% load factors. I don't know what your application is, however if you are installing a device that specifies a 120 volt, 20 amp circuit then you should use #12 wire. Some devices specify the circuit breaker or fuse size based upon the electrical device protection requirement

Please pay close attention to the device electrical specifications. As always, it is recommended to hire a licensed electrician when installing new circuits. I love to get feed back so let me know if this helps you, and if you have any further questions.
Dave Rongey, Licensed Electrical Contractor