According to NEC, what is the smallest wire size for a 15 amp circuit?

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Multiple Choice

According to NEC, what is the smallest wire size for a 15 amp circuit?

Explanation:
The key idea is matching the conductor’s ampacity to the circuit’s overcurrent protection. For a 15-amp circuit, the wire must be able to carry at least 15 A without overheating. Among common copper conductors, 14 AWG is the smallest size that meets that requirement. A smaller wire, like 16 AWG, typically cannot handle 15 A, so it isn’t allowed for a 15 A circuit. Larger sizes such as 12 AWG or 10 AWG do meet the need but are not the minimum. So, with typical insulation and a 15 A breaker, the minimum conductor size is 14 AWG.

The key idea is matching the conductor’s ampacity to the circuit’s overcurrent protection. For a 15-amp circuit, the wire must be able to carry at least 15 A without overheating. Among common copper conductors, 14 AWG is the smallest size that meets that requirement. A smaller wire, like 16 AWG, typically cannot handle 15 A, so it isn’t allowed for a 15 A circuit. Larger sizes such as 12 AWG or 10 AWG do meet the need but are not the minimum. So, with typical insulation and a 15 A breaker, the minimum conductor size is 14 AWG.

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