Glenn And Kitty
Breaux Bridge, LA
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Joined: 11/01/2005
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I've been wiring a shop and an RV cover for lights and receptacles. I'm nearly finished but I want to run one or two more lights and a 110 receptacle. I'm going to install a 20 amp breaker in the main panel and run a new dedicated circuit from there for this "run". I have about 31 feet of #12-2 wire and about 22 feet of #10-2 wire left over from the other runs of the project. This new "run" will total about 45 to 50 feet.
My question:
Is it ok to mix the wire sizes? Perhaps start at the main panel with the #12 and then finish with the #10 or should I reverse that and start with the #10 at the main panel and finish with #12?
Glenn
2006 Trail Sport 22QB
2006 F-250 Super Duty
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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A 20 amp breaker will only protect 12 guage wire so start with that.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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#10 is bigger than #12, so IMO it is ok. I'd start with the #10, but not sure why. I think the place you splice the wires needs to be inside a box, but likely you know that already.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
1999 Mercedes ML320 TV
2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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If doing a daisy I'd always start with the heaviest wire
However that said. I do not like mixing gages that way,
As the other person said 20 amps is 12 ga. I'd hate to have someone look at the 10 ga wire (on either end) and say "Oh, I can use a 30 amp breaker here" and ... Find out about the 12ga section the expensive way
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Brad01
NC
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Joined: 07/19/2002
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I would do it right and use only 12ga wire. Wire isn't that expensive. But yes, I guess you could do it. I've seen worse done but I'd bet $$ it will come back to haunt you or the next owner one day. Good luck.
2005 Chev 2500 PU CC 4x4 SB Duramax/Allison with ARE Camper Top
2002 Keystone Hornet 32R TT w/ 1 slide
Wife: (Jane) Artsy person and Haiku Poet that loves to camp
Son: Junior at NCSU
RV Usage Pre-2006:unknown, 2006:60 nights, 2007:53 nights
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chuck4788
West of the Middle
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Joined: 05/10/2006
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I failed an inspection once because of mixed wire, I won't do that again.
Chuck
02 Beaver
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K&R
Oklahoma
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Id do it and not look back
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Homeroid
Homer,
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Joined: 07/09/2005
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As long as the OP sizes his CB for the 12 ga., what's the downside of using both 10 and 12 ga. wire? I do not believe there is anything wrong with this combination.
Bob
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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Homeroid wrote:As long as the OP sizes his CB for the 12 ga., what's the downside of using both 10 and 12 ga. wire? I do not believe there is anything wrong with this combination.
Bob
Yep, can't argue with that.
bumpy
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Jamesrpm
Oregon Coast
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Joined: 08/30/2003
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I would be for putting the #12 in the panel , hopefully someone would know not to change breaker to a 30 amp for the # 10 wire that way. But then # 10 wire is pretty hard to land on a receptacle , have to add #12 pigtails to it for a secure connection.
I'd rather not use all the connections and junctions at all.
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I plan on living forever , so far , so good
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