Hello- 10 gauge wire matches with a 30 amp breaker in the electrical panel. The possible problem with #10 wire and a 20 amp breaker is that if the copper wire heats up excessively, the breaker will not trip in order to save it, and the insulation around the copper will melt, causing a fire inside the wall. This has been the cause of many house fires. For audio components, this should not be an issue, as they are not heating devices (like space heaters, etc.).
What wire to use instead of Romex
I want to install a dedicated 20amp outlet (likely an AQ NRG). The run from the main panel in the garage to my living room above is relatively short - maybe 25 or 30 feet. Because of HOA rules/regs, I cannot use Romex. Wires in the garage must be inside conduit. I will run 10AWG, but I'm unsure what other specs I should implement. Should I use solid core or stranded? Should it be copper? Is BX the way to go? I've read where using stranded silver or silver tungsten is best, but I'd be concerned about the silver oxidizing/tarnishing over time, especially at the junction points where the wire has no insulation. Is it important to twist the three (including ground) wires or will they perform just as well if run side-by-side?
- ...
- 52 posts total
Not necessarily. Using 10AWG wire with a 20A breaker can help reduce voltage drop.
The wire should never heat up, the breaker should trip at 20A. No problem. |
@roccity said:
You might want to check with the HOA first. Exposed MC cable will not be as pleasing to the eye as EMT conduit. MC exposed kind of looks like installing Romex exposed on a wall. You can support the heck out of it and it still doesn’t look pretty... Questions: How much of the the exposed MC cable will be seen in the garage before it enters the wall of dwelling unit? What is the garage wall finish of the wall it will be installed on? Example, wood studs covered by drywall? Cement block? Other? Horizontal elevation off the floor of the MC cable? Distance down from the ceiling? Is the electrical panel surfaced mounted to the wall? Vertical length of the MC cable above the electrical panel before it is installed horizontally? Can you post a picture of the electrical panel and the area the MC cable will be installed? . |
- 52 posts total