@62Cristoforo
Probably a good idea to keep using the AWG#14 conductor for now, even on circuits with a 10 amp breaker, in case of any future upgrades. You’d really only want to use #16 branch circuit conductors if you’re absolutely sure the demand will always only ever be LED lighting.
@pondking2801
The biggest issue is going to training electricians not to mix outlet and lighting circuits. When our house was built, I put into the electrical plans that lighting and outlets were to be on separate circuits, but was not able to inspect while the work was done. Despite the specifications, the lighting and outlet circuits were mixed, with the result that a tripped breaker would also shut off the lights in the room, a problem if the breaker tripped at night.
@kmbbmj5857
I'm just a homeowner, but to me it makes more sense to overbuild by at least one step above the minimum up front. Sure, it costs a little more, but it's much cheaper to do it when everything is opened up and boots are on the ground than to come back and upgrade later.
@starchaser-M32
The other advantage of a 10a circuit on led lights is that if a light has a short it may not trip the breaker. I have had this issue and the light burns up.
@firefighter4443
Could this possibly help me with my 1943 built house with 100 amp panel? I’m running out of capacity to install an electric car charger circuit, and upgrading to a higher main panel is cost prohibitive. Is there any way I could put my lighting on a single 10amp circuit and open up a few amps more for electric car charging?
@t23001
Pros and DIYers alike are going to have to resist the temptation to add receptacles and other higher power use items when there’s a 10 amp cable in a convenient location.
@mb-3faze
In the UK, most lighting circuits are on 6 amp breakers, running 1.5mm^2 wire (16 gauge). The voltage is 240V, of course, so it's roughly comparable with 10A 110V US style wiring.
@gluuuuue
Makes sense. I pretty much went 20A for all my remodel’s receptacle circuits and only used 15A for circuits supplying dedicated LED lighting only, and dedicated Smoke/CO.
@FrankDicasmirro
Hi..John question I have is..I wired up my dryer with 2 single pole 30 amp breakers..(square D).. Am I allowed to tie the 2 breakers with a #12 piece of cable..or do I need to replace for a double pole single handle..or would a 16d nail be ok..thks
@actodesco
I saw 16 gauge romex-type wiring in Bangkok in a hotel. It was wired to a door switch for the closet light. This was about 20 years ago. Of course, there the mains are 240V, so having a lower amp rating will still give you more power than on our 120V system. I don't know what the breakers for that circuit were rated at.
@woodwaker1
Makes a lot of sense for LED lighting circuits. Still love the hat.
@bradlevantis913
The lighting advancements are exactly what I was thinking with a 10 amp circuit. Not sure how it is in the US but in Canada it’s rare to find incandescent lamps except for few consumer specific applications. Literally looking around the main floor of my house and there is not a single one left. And that includes the oven and fridge
@louf7178
Thanks. Amazing to see actual reductions happening due to more efficient lighting.
@TomFarrell-p9z
Ha! I once rented a house built in 1940, and the kitchen circuit was rated at 10 amps. You could use a micro-wave or a toaster, long as you didn't use them both at once. Luckily, hardware stores still sold edison base fuses in those days for times I forgot! Great video with some great information John!
@mikejustice1196
Hi John, I noticed the j box behind you does not have an off set on either side (top-bottom) There’s some talk on the net about do or do not need it. Please explain. Thanks
@blipco5
#16 is a great idea for lighting seeing how manufacturers build fixtures and remote ballasts with wiring space as large as a thimble.
@waynemgtregear7228
has any old rules been removed from the NEC rules or just up dates . what the difference between up date and amendment
@JoseLgamer05
10 amp lighting circuits have been a thing in Europe since forever at this point, if it hasn't been like this from the beginning. We also put lights and outlets in different circuits, in mainland Europe we do 16 amp for the plugs and 10 for the lights. We might have a 20 amp circuit for the stove, everything else that needs a separate circuit just has a 16 breaker, like washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, water heaters, A/Cs, etc. All of those, except A/Cs in most cases, just come with a standard plug, and there is an outlet with it's own circuit for those devices. A/Cs used to also come with a plug in the indoor unit (we primarily use mini-splits) that you had to plug in, but now they just leave the terminals for you to hardwire your own cable in the outdoor unit.
@HenryScheinDSMTechs
I had no idea about this. That’s good information, thanks.
@BackyardMaine