Understanding Electrical Wiring

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Electrical basics

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The second basic involves understanding your home's electrical wiring. Wire gauge works inversely: the smaller the number, the larger the wire's diameter. For example, 12-gauge wire is thicker than 14-gauge wire. In common residential circuits, 14-gauge wire is typically paired with a 15-amp circuit breaker, while 12-gauge wire is used with a 20-amp circuit breaker. When buying wire, the first number indicates the gauge size, and the second number indicates the number of conductors (excluding the ground wire). For instance, '14/2' means 14-gauge wire with two conductors plus a ground, while '14/3' means 14-gauge wire with three conductors plus a ground.

Goal: Identify wire gauge, conductor count, and corresponding breaker sizes.

Tools and materials

12-Gauge Wire — Demonstrating wire thickness and conductor count; typically for 20A circuits
14-Gauge Wire — Demonstrating wire thickness and conductor count; typically for 15A circuits
15-Amp Circuit Breaker — Protects circuits wired with 14-gauge wire
20-Amp Circuit Breaker — Protects circuits wired with 12-gauge wire

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volts. Number two, understanding your wiring. Wire gauge works backwards. The smaller the number, the bigger the wire. This is 12 gauge wire and this is 14 gauge wire. As you can see, the 12 is bigger than the 14. In common residential circuits, your 14 gauge wire is on your 15 amp breaker and your 12 gauge wire is on a 20 amp breaker. When buying wire, you're going to have the first number is your gauge size and the second number is how many conductors there are. This wire right here is 14-2. It has two conductors. The ground doesn't count. This wire right here is 14-3. It has three conductors. Number

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