WOW, a lot of Misinformation below, in my professional opinion that is. I'm only here to HELP not fight, so to try and help, I with all due respect, submit the following for your consideration to take or leave at your own choice and peril NO WARRANTY DO NOT take my word for, consult the NEC or trained professionals or experts (or risk your life and home on what non profession non trained Billy Bob and Bubba may have to say) BUT I BET WHATS BELOW IS IN AGREEMENT WITH NEC ??? Any takers???
It can be perfectly safe, engineering proper, and NEC permissible to use 14 gauge wire for 240 VAC loads. PROVIDED THAT:
1) The voltage withstand rating (insulation integrity) exceeds the applied voltage potential and the wire typically could be say 600 VAC rated, and if such could be used on 120 or 240 or even 480 volts. NOT 120 ONLY AS SOME THINK in my professional opinion that is.
2) The branch circuit is protected by an overcurrent protection device (fuse or circuit breaker) of 15 amps. This assumes the ampacity of wire is 15 amps.
3) The maximum sustained continuous load does not exceed 12 amps (The 80% rule, 15 x 0.8 = 12)
Where do people get the idea you cant use 14 gauge wire for a 240 volt load??????? They must be confusing or do not understand the difference in a wires AMPACITY (how much current it can safely carry without overheating or damaging the insulation) versus the voltage withstand rating (insulation strength and integrity)
You could have even a 480 volt (TWICE 240) motor that requires less then 12 amps continuous served by wire that has a 600 volt rating and is 14 gauge.
14 Gauge wire IS NOT FOR 120 ONLY, that's NOT my opinion, its the wires current and voltage withstand rating.
Oh well, best wishes and God Bless yall
John T Retired Electrical Engineer so NO Warranty, its been a while, but the basics sort of stick with a guy ya know. Its your own life at risk, so do as yall please, you wont get a fight from me lol
It can be perfectly safe, engineering proper, and NEC permissible to use 14 gauge wire for 240 VAC loads. PROVIDED THAT:
1) The voltage withstand rating (insulation integrity) exceeds the applied voltage potential and the wire typically could be say 600 VAC rated, and if such could be used on 120 or 240 or even 480 volts. NOT 120 ONLY AS SOME THINK in my professional opinion that is.
2) The branch circuit is protected by an overcurrent protection device (fuse or circuit breaker) of 15 amps. This assumes the ampacity of wire is 15 amps.
3) The maximum sustained continuous load does not exceed 12 amps (The 80% rule, 15 x 0.8 = 12)
Where do people get the idea you cant use 14 gauge wire for a 240 volt load??????? They must be confusing or do not understand the difference in a wires AMPACITY (how much current it can safely carry without overheating or damaging the insulation) versus the voltage withstand rating (insulation strength and integrity)
You could have even a 480 volt (TWICE 240) motor that requires less then 12 amps continuous served by wire that has a 600 volt rating and is 14 gauge.
14 Gauge wire IS NOT FOR 120 ONLY, that's NOT my opinion, its the wires current and voltage withstand rating.
Oh well, best wishes and God Bless yall
John T Retired Electrical Engineer so NO Warranty, its been a while, but the basics sort of stick with a guy ya know. Its your own life at risk, so do as yall please, you wont get a fight from me lol