My uncle swore by using a 12 gauge wire for all 20 amp circuits, even the short runs.

Honestly, he said it was 'future proofing' and that the extra cost was nothing. I finally tried it on a kitchen remodel last month, running a new circuit about 15 feet from the panel. The wire was way harder to bend and took me almost double the time to get it into the boxes neatly. Ngl, the inspector didn't even comment on it, just checked for the correct breaker. Has anyone else actually done this and found a real benefit, or is it just making the job tougher for no good reason?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan7251mo ago

Yeah, your uncle isn't wrong about the future proofing thing. Did a garage workshop circuit with 10 gauge once (for a potential future welder, you know) and man, wrestling that stuff into a plastic box was a fight. The real benefit showed up later when I added a small air compressor on that same circuit without a second thought. No voltage drop at all, which was nice. But for just regular kitchen outlets, man, 12 is already plenty and so much easier to work with.

the_andrew1mo ago

Used to think oversizing wire was just a flex for people with too much time. Then I saw what @rowan725 said about adding that air compressor with no issues. Had a similar thing happen when a client wanted a beast of a gaming PC and a mini fridge on the same bedroom circuit I'd run with 10 gauge for no real reason. Zero problems, no callbacks. Now I get it for long runs or places you know might get more gear later, but man, 12 gauge for a 15 foot kitchen run is just punishing yourself for no payoff.

rowan72527d ago

Hang on, do you really think 12 gauge for a 15 foot kitchen run is that bad? I mean, I get it, 14 gauge is cheaper and easier to bend, but I've seen too many kitchens where people plug in a microwave AND a toaster oven AND a coffee maker all at once. For me, 12 gauge on a 20 amp breaker is just plain safer for that room. It's not about future proofing for some big tool, it's about not having the breaker trip when someone's making breakfast. Plus, the voltage drop thing is real, even on a short run if you get a heavy draw. So I guess I just don't see it as punishing yourself, I see it as doing the job right once.