![]() Note that the diagrams below assume that you’re following all recommended practices for safe installation of electrical circuits. For clarity, check out the illustrations below. The other two wires can attach to either of the paired terminals. To do this, put a piece of tape on the wire that goes to the “common” (third) terminal screw. When replacing an existing three-way light switch, be sure to return the wires to the proper screw terminals. ![]() The green screw at the bottom end is for attaching the ground (green or bare) wire. For example, the switch shown below has one silver and one gold screw opposite one another and a bronze screw in the third position. Unfortunately, they are not standardized. Not all three-way switches have these terminals placed in the same configuration, so you have to pay attention to the terminal screw colors (and the instructions that come with the package) when wiring a 3-way switch (or a pair of them). On most 3-way switches, two of the terminals are the same color (typically silver or brass), and the third terminal, called a “common terminal,” is a different, often darker, color. Smart Devices Protect Your Home During Power Outages & Surges.The 12/2 will have a capacity of 20A, and the 14/2 will have a capacity of 15A.Īs you can see, the 12/2 will make the outlets work better for different appliances.Įven if you have an appliance constantly drawing more current, it will not be an issue when you have the 12/2 installed for the outlets. It will never disappoint you.Īny electrician will advise you to use the 12-gauge wire because of its capacity. In case of such a scenario, stick to using the 12-gauge. It is possible you might be unsure which one to use. One of the places a person can use these two wires will be for outlets. As for our case now, the 14/2 wire will be smaller than the 12/2 wire, although it seems the 14-gauge is larger because of the number. When reading the gauge chart or table, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the wires. A larger diameter means it is less resistant to heat and can easily handle more current. The gauge simply means the measure of diameter. That is why 12/2 would be used for lighting circuits and outlets too.Ĭomparison: 12-gauge versus 14-gauge wires Because of this, it stands out as a better option for cases where the appliances would draw more power. It is your responsibility to verify that this installation meets all corporate, local, and national safety requirements and electrical codes. Not many lights will need more than 15A to work.Ĭomparing it to 12/2, we see that this one has more capacity at 20A. We find that it cannot accommodate more than 15A. Such a gauge means it can carry more current than the 14 gauge.īecause of the capacity, the 14/2 will be a great cable for lighting. The biggest difference is that this time around, it will be 12 gauge in size. The ground wire is always key in ensuring the circuit is properly grounded.Īs for 12/2, it also has two conductors and a bare ground conductor. That is not all, as the 14/2 cable will also have a bare ground wire. American Wire Gauge “AWG” Chart – Wire Size & Ampacity Table The conductors will be black and white, standing for hot and neutral wires, respectively. The 14/2 cable means that it is a 14-gauge cable with two conductors. However, people will often confuse the two unless they can find a clear guide to help them understand where to use them.įirst, we have to learn more about what these cables are all about before looking into their applications. The 14/2 and 12/2 wires are quite common for residential wiring. Comparison: 12-gauge versus 14-gauge wires
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