If you were wiring a bedroom and a new house and you ran a 12-2 for your homerun and then to each outlet receptacle in the room let’s say there were four. Then from the last outlet receptacle you ran 12-2 up to the bedroom light switch outlet. At that point you switch to 14-2 and ran it up to the lights. Would that be permissible if you used a 15 amp breaker? Wouldn’t it be possible that someone could later change the 15 to 20 amp breaker not knowing about the 14-2 to the light.
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2I'll take "things my electrician did that were stupid but technically permissible" for $200, Alex.– Shimon RuraCommented Jan 2, 2018 at 5:56
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1 Answer
A 15A breaker (AFCI) is not just permissible in this situation, it is required because of the #14 wire in the circuit. You should make a note somewhere near the panel indicating that circuit has #14 wire in it and to not replace the 15A breaker with a 20A. Alternatively - and this is the much preferred way to do things - just use #12 throughout and put a 20A breaker on.
However, if at all possible, keep your receptacles and lights on different circuits. If you trip a breaker you won't be left in the dark!
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3I like keeping the lights on separate circuits also but it is bad practice to change wire size. If you want to only run 1 circuit run everything in 12 and use a 20 amp breaker.– Ed BealCommented Jan 1, 2018 at 23:07
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@EdBeal bad practice, but allowed nonetheless. I edited to emphasize using #12 throughout is the preferred method.– mmathisCommented Jan 2, 2018 at 13:42