Electrical code says
#14 wire on a 15 amp max breaker
#12 wire on a 20 amp max breaker
Bathroom receptacles 20 amp required
Kitchen counter receptacles 20 amp required.
Some cities have code requiring #12 minimum size wire.

[This message has been edited by joed (edited June 03, 2003).]

12 gauge would be better, but it is not required as previous post states. One thing you'll look at is the rating on the outlets. Alot of people use $0.59 cent outlets everywhere in the house. But those outlets are only rated for 15 amps.

I ran electric into my garage for a shop and wanted all 20amp 12 gauge circuits, the outlets rated for 20 amps were $2.20 each. That adds up when you put 20 outlets in.

The circuit is only as good as the weakest link.

just as a FYI - 15A duplex receps are allowed on 20A circuits - Section 210-21(b)(3) [1999 NEC].

In my opinion the #14 is fine where allowed by code as long as the electrician keeps the circuits light. The biggest problem we see are elctricians (and home owners) putting to much on a circuit. There is another issue with changing to #12 for lighting circuits. The wire is larger and becomes difficult to get the box fill room where 3 way switching is installed. As a compromise we sometimes wire the outlets on #12 because that is where the load can fluctuate the most, although this method would increase the price for wiring the home. Mr. Electric