Using #14 wire on a 20A if plugged in

[alvinamorey]

Here's a puzzler......

I put a permanent wall fan in my barn at the eaves. This is a small motor fan, probably 1/10 to 1/4hp.at most. It's just there to vent out the heat in the summer and/or manure odor. It makes the barn better for animals. There is a control on the fan to turn it on at a specified temperature (such as over 75deg). The outlet in the adjoining feed room was the closest outlet, and is on a 20A breaker. I needed to get this fan running this last summer when the outdoor temp went above 90 deg. and I had a sick horse in there. I was out of #12 romex, so I ran some #14 that I had. To speed up the job even more, (and knowing it would have to be replaced), I did not hard wire to the outlet, I just put a grounded plug on the end of the romex and plugged it in to the outlet. As in all farm operations, nothing ever gets done before some other job or chore comes along, so I have left it the way it was. In some sense, I almost wonder if I should just leave it, and I can unplug it during the cooler weather since it's not needed.

My question is whether using #14 wires is up to code, when it's not hard wired? For example, many lamps, radios, and other small appliances have #18 or #16 cords, and they are plugged into 15 or 20 A circuits. I'm just curious. One of these days I might find the time to wire this properly and will have to add a switch so I can turn it off when I want. But for now, it works and is safe at least according to common sense, if not the code.

Alvin

[Doug Miller]

Yes. The Code basically stops at the receptacle. (This is an oversimplification, but it gets the point across.)

[hallerb]

the fire hazard is the same,,,,,,,,,,, bard fires are nasty..

really all extension cords and plugs should be fused for safety at the maximum current capacity of the wire and device. I am amazed that hasnt been made a law

if you like your current setup why not add a dedicated fuse or breaker just for this item?

[Doug Miller]

WHAT fire hazard?

[Mike S.]

Or just change that 20 amp breaker to a 15

[hallerb]

any time anyone plugs a device into a circuit capable of carrying enough current to cause overheating thats a fire hazard.

ultimately whats the difference between a 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp breaker and a 16 gauge wire on a 15 amp breaker?

guess what no difference, both can overheat and start a fire, fact is the 16 gauge extension cord is more likely to be a source. given their tough life.

[HeyBub]

Ever lit a poet?

[Doug Miller]

And where exactly did you get the idea that the OP's fan is going to draw that much current?

You realize, don't you, that all over your house you have appliances with

18-ga power cords plugged into outlets on 15A and 20A circuits?

What's the difference?

[hallerb]

thats my point, every home is filled with fire hazards,,,,,,,,

About 10 years ago I nearly lost our home to a fire after a cieling lamp shorted and sparked to its base showeing the bed with sparks in the middle of the nite, I had gotten up to go to the bathroom. All those fixtures went to the trash.

while the code rules that no conductor should be smaller than its breaker those rules end at the receptable.........

I see nice but err dump folks plug too much stuff in extension cords constantly. shouldnt extension cordes be fused to their max carrying capacity somehow?

whats more likely to cause a fire?

a 14 gauge romex carrying 20 amps

or a 16 gauge extension cord beat up by use carrying 15 amps laying on carpet?

[Doug Miller]

Speak for yourself. Some of us know how to avoid creating them -- either in reality or in our imaginations.

[snip irrelevant anecdote]

Obviously the latter -- but so what? *Neither* has *anything* to do with the question the OP asked.

[Jeff Wisnia]

Mybe that's why the Brits have (had) a pair of small sized replaceable cartridge fuses built into the plugs on the end of every appliance's cord, sized to suit the load?

Or at least they did the last time I looked, maybe 20 years ago. Do they still use that system?

IIRC they ran quite heavy conductors from the power source to groups of chained outlets and relied on the fuses built into the plugs to keep things safe. I think they called that a "ring main" system?

Jeff

[Toller]

I don't think you can put a plug on romex; it isn't approved for that use. As a practical matter though, what is going to happen? To be dangerous you would have to have a overload on the 14 that isn't enough to trip the breaker; yet is enough to start a fire. While not impossible, it is most unlikely; especially if the the circuit is dedicated to your little fan. Its a judgement call.

The one time I was in a similar situation I changed the breaker, since there was no need for 20a.

[gfretwell]

That is the only violation. Without trying to start a flame war I would point out that on a dedicated motor circuit #14 can be used at it's 20a rating and if the motor has suplimental overload protection the breaker could be up to 40a. (1 HP single phase 120v) That is a question that is usually on the inspector test.

[Chris Friesen]

Isn't it a violation to use romex as an extension cord?

Chris

[Doug Miller]

Where does the Code address extension cords?

[Steve Barker LT]

so i guess that 350' of 12/2 i have laying on the ground to my barn is not quite kopasetic?

s

[Bob F]

Ask the fire department.

Bob

[alvinamorey]

I'm just reading all the replies to my question. Thanks for all the help.

I wanted to mention that those of us who know and understand electricity are much better off than the average homeowner or apartment dweller who only knows enough to plug something into an outlet and how to flip a light switch. The scarey thing are people who dont know enough, and use a #16 or #18 extension cord for something like a refrigerator. That's where the real fire hazzards exist. It's too bad they even sell those small cords, but then what would we use for table lamps, xmas decorations, etc..... Maybe our elementary and high schools should spend more time teaching EVERYONE about household things such as electrical uses, rather than some of the useless junk they teach. Heck, it's 35 years since I left H.S. but I still wonder why I had to take calculus..... Bettering "homeowners" education would save lives.

I DO NOT consider my #14 romex plug-in to be a fire hazzard, or I would not have done it. My animals are my best friends, so I surely wont risk their lives. I just wanted to know the code regulations. Actually, that small motor fan could be safely plugged into a #16 or #18 extension cord, but I would not use that in a barn.

Alvin

[alvinamorey]

Kind of like those xmas light sets, huh?

[Steve Barker LT]

The fire dept would prefer we don't use ANY extension cord for any reason, made of any material.

s