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Dodger
Posted by homebild on March 8th, 2004 06:09 PM
In reply to Does This Mean...... by Dodgeman on March 8th, 2004 01:15 PM [Go to top of thread]
No, it means that you cannot use 14ga wire in a circuit that is controlled by anything greater than a 15 amp breaker.
The loading on the circuit is another matter.
Simply because 120Volts X 15Amps COULD carry a load of 1800Watts, does not mean the load placed on the circuit SHOULD be designed to consistently exceed 80%, or 1440 watts...
Nor does it mean that a 120volt 15 amp circuit CANNOT exceed 12 amps or 1440 watts.
You just cannot do it excessively or for extended periods.
For instance, suppose you have a hypothetical motorized appliance with a 1440 watt/12amp rating, but in reality requires 16amps momentarily to kick in the motor, as long as the wattage and amperage do not continue to exceed the limit, or there are also no other appliances drawing current on the same circuit, you should be ok.
Peaks in electrical service routinely occur and it is for this reason (in part) that the lower load 80% threshholds are required. The code people would prefer to see a peak go from 80% to 100%(12-15amps) rather than from 100% to 120%(15-18amps). Grossly exceeding or permanently exceeding the breaker or device rating could cause the breaker to trip or the device to blow or burn or all of the above.
I am not an electrician nor do I play one on TV.
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