| Roy Q.T. 2005-06-23, 11:25 pm |
|
From: phil-news-nospam@ipal.net
On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 04:23:53 -0400 John Gilmer <gilmer@crosslink.net>
wrote:
I don't know that it is status quo. I still see new home construction
with a mix of 15 amp and 20 amp circuits. 14 AWG wire is cheaper than 12
AWG wire, so it seems home builders want to put in 15 amp circuits
everywhere the code does not require more amps so they can use that
cheaper cable.
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| Not only is the cable cheaper (but not as much as you might think) but
it a | heck of a LOT easier to install.
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| From the view of having safe and cost effective power distribution in
the | home, "they" (the government and the NEC) should start to
"encourage" use | installation of 240 volt (no neutral but with ground)
outlets and also | require that all appliances that draw from than, say,
1 kW have at least 25% | of their distribution (US) be for 240 volt
supply. =A0 Dish and clothes | washers that attempt to HEAT the water
would work MUCH better at 240 volts; | microwave ovens would also work
better.
|
| A #14 circuit with a 2 pole 15 amp breaker would be as "safe" (for
most | purposes) as the 120 volt circuit but could supply twice the
power.
I would definitely go along with this idea. Currently the NEC requires
the opposite in homes at the 1440 watt level ... e.g. if less than 1440
watts, 120 volts must be used. That's a rule I'd like to see dropped or
even inverted as in your recommendation.
Many of these products are already available for 240 volts, and even
work on 60 Hz ... just not in the USA (though in some, some rewiring can
make it work on 240 volts again).
I'd also like to see use of the neutral discouraged on appliances that
now do use 120/240 volt circuits (e.g. clothes dryers and ranges). Most
of the world knows that power supplies for electronics really can
operate on 240 volts AC coming in. Even the light bulbs inside these
appliances are these days using bi-pin type mountings, eliminating the
risk of contact with an electrically hot shell base for a bulb.
--
I somewhat agree, I have a roll of 14 awg and use it where ever I
calculate the current will not exceed 10-15A., but basically I use it
for lighting circuits on the safe side.
The shift to 240VAC Idea is a good one, since certain appliances &
electronic products that can handle it usually work better and more
efficiently than at 120VAC, But given that, it's not very difficult to
change a 120VAC circuit to 240VAC so it's all there.
That said : I am not encouraging 14awg for loads that may differ on the
high side nor for Appliances that have a motor or induction coils in it,
I would go with 12 and 10 around through circuits, despite the light
convenience and capacity of #14 it's just my way of doing things.
=AEoy
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